Chapter 2

Roxanne's POV

"Silas Vandro, what gives you the fucking RIGHT to sign that settlement for me?!"

I screamed until my voice cracked, chest heaving.

"That helicopter is MY property! Those were MY mother and son!"

Silas's face went dark as he glared down at me:

"Because I'm your legal mate! Because I'm the Vandro Pack Alpha! What I say goes in this family!"

He sneered: "Quit the dramatics and go home. Keep this shit up and you won't just lose your son—you'll lose me too."

My stomach turned. Seven years married to this monster, and I never saw his true face.

Fuck talking. Fighting through the pain in my hands, I turned to Beast Authority Captain Mike Thompson.

"Captain Thompson, I'm the legal owner of that crashed helicopter, and I refuse any settlement." I flashed my golden lion pride badge, voice deadly cold. "This accident was deliberate murder. I demand immediate access to the black box data and find the truth!"

Thompson straightened when he saw my badge: "Understood, Ms. Montgomery. Once we unlock the black box data, you'll be first invited to the briefing. We'll fast-track the investigation."

Silas's jaw tightened.

Just then, two charred bodies were wheeled up on gurneys.

High voltage plus fuel explosion had burned them beyond recognition—skin carbonized to black scabs, features completely melted, even their beast traits were unidentifiable. The air reeked of nauseating burnt flesh.

Fighting through crushing grief, I stumbled toward them, tears streaming: "Mom... Aiden... this is my fault... I should've protected you..."

I collapsed beside the bodies, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Oh god... Silas, I'm so scared..."

Ivy's fake whimper came from behind me. She covered her mouth, dry-heaving as she melted into Silas's arms. But her cunning eyes stayed locked on me, full of provocation.

"These burned bodies are so horrifying... and it's really bad for us pregnant women." She deliberately stroked her belly, voice sickeningly sweet. "Honey, what if our baby gets traumatized? Lucas has been so excited about having a little brother."

Silas held her gently: "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll protect you both. When Lucas gets back from prep school tomorrow, the three of us can celebrate this good news together."

Lucas? The three of us?!

Lightning struck my brain. This bitch wasn't just pregnant—Silas had a bastard son he'd hidden from me for years?!

"Lucas is such a sweet boy. Yesterday he asked when the baby would be born. Said he's so excited to finally have a real little brother. Unlike some people's sons who won't even live to meet him."

Crushing despair and rage consumed me completely.

"You cheating bastards! DIE!"

My lion bloodline went feral. Claws shot out as I roared and lunged at Ivy like a wild beast!

WHAM!

Silas kicked me square in the chest, sending me flying into the metal barrier.

Sweet copper flooded my throat as I coughed up blood. My phone clattered across the pavement nearby.

"Roxanne! You crazy lioness!" Silas shielded Ivy with blazing red eyes. "Ivy's carrying my bloodline! You hurt them and I'll wipe out your whole family!"

"My whole family?" I laughed bitterly through the blood. "You already killed my whole family!"

"The dead don't matter anymore." His voice turned cold and mocking. "In this world, only the living get a voice. You should be grateful I'm letting you live." Then he scooped up Ivy tenderly: "Don't be scared, baby. That psycho can't touch you."

Suddenly my phone vibrated violently, [AIDEN] flashing on the screen.

My son!

I froze completely, then frantically dove for the phone—

CRACK!

Silas stomped on it, shattering the screen.

"What the FUCK are you doing? Give me back my phone, you animal!" I desperately tried to salvage the pieces.

"Get OFF!" He ground his heel down, stepping directly on my hand. The agony of crushing bones made me scream, but I clutched those fragments tight.

"Roxanne, wake the hell up!" Silas loomed over me, crushing my hand under his boot, face full of mockery. "Aiden is DEAD! Two burnt corpses right fucking there! How long you gonna live in denial?!"

"Face reality! Behave yourself and maybe you can still have a place in this family!"

Right... yes... Aiden and Mom definitely got on that helicopter. He even called me before takeoff...

That spark of hope died again. My heart shattered like glass.

I slowly looked up, tangled blonde hair covering my face.

I stared at those two bastards preparing to leave, my heart burning with volcanic hatred.

"Silas." I pushed myself up from the ground.

He turned back impatiently: "What now?"

"Let's dissolve our mate bond."

Silas froze for two seconds, then snarled: "Dissolve the bond? What kind of stunt are you trying now to threaten me! I told you—this was an accident. The corporation's at a critical stage right now, we can't have any instability."

"Until the company is completely stable, I won't give you that chance!"

He swept Ivy up in his arms and strutted off, surrounded by bodyguards.

Cold rain began falling again. I knelt alone in the smoke-filled ruins, staring at those two unrecognizable corpses, sobbing my heart out.

Seven years of marriage—fake. My husband's love—fake. Even the happiness I thought I had—all lies.

Now my last anchor was gone too.

I had nothing left.

Nothing at all...