Chapter 3

Gasps erupted in unison.

A face disfigured beyond recognition by fire was exposed under the cameras' relentless scrutiny.

"Oh my God, that’s disgusting. Is that even human?"

"I’m gonna puke. Damn, that’s hideous—a hell devil come to life in broad daylight."

Their words sliced through me like silver blades.

My heart pounded, the sound deafening in my ears. I couldn’t even process the shame fast enough before another voice, gleeful and dripping with malice, rang out:

"The most arrogant female warrior—immoral, malicious, and spiteful. She deliberately set a fire to kill her sister and ended up paying the price. They say there isn’t a single patch of intact skin left on her. Let’s see for ourselves what it means when karma comes knocking."

Phones were lifted. Streams went live.

My stomach churned. My vision blurred as black spots danced before my eyes.

Then—

A hard shove.

I hit the ground, my already battered body collapsing under the force. My clothes—thin, oversized hospital scrubs—ripped like wet paper.

My arms were exposed. My thighs. My waist.

A sharp, broken gasp tore from my throat, but the noise of the crowd swallowed it whole.

Then came the tremors.

My hands and feet twitched first. Then my entire body seized violently, jerking against the cold pavement as if struck by an electric current.

The cameras zoomed in.

"She’s having a seizure! This is gold—get a close-up, quick! It’s all prime footage!"

I writhed in agony, my eyes rolling back as my fangs pushed painfully against my gums, as foam spilled from the corners of my mouth..

I knew the drugs were taking effect, but there was nothing I could do.

Like a clown stripped bare, I was at their mercy as they shredded my dignity into nothingness.

And the worst was yet to come.

A horrifying warmth spread beneath me, wet and shameful.

The acrid scent hit my nose first, just before the gasps and laughter started.

"Oh, shit! She pissed herself!"

"I thought wolves had some dignity left—guess not!"

The shame was so overwhelming that even my tears refused to fall.

I wanted to shift—to tear them apart.

But my wolf was too weak.

I lay there, limp and powerless, as cameras focused obsessively on my body, capturing my humiliation from every angle.

I lay there, limp and powerless, like a discarded, lifeless animal.

In that moment, I wished I could die on the spot.

Then, a furious roar shook the air.

"What the hell are you doing?! Who gave you permission to record this?!"

Alpha Laurence.

His voice thundered through the crowd as he stormed toward me, his face twisted in rage. The next second, he ripped the lead reporter’s camera out of his hands and smashed it against the ground.

"Get out! All of you, get the hell out!"

My mother rushed over with a coat, draping it hastily over me as tears streamed down her face.

"Where are the security guards? Are you all blind? How could reporters even get into the celebration? You’re all fired!"

Celia stood nearby, her hands covering her mouth in feigned horror.

"You’ve gone too far! How could you do this to my sister? But please, whatever you do, don’t publish those photos of her seizure and incontinence, okay?"

Disgusting.

Truly disgusting.

You want the Beta position? You want all the love to go to Celia? Fine. Take it. I don’t care anymore.

But why this?

Why humiliate me like this?

My thoughts felt sluggish, my mind clouded over with exhaustion and medication. I barely registered the moment Alpha Laurence knelt beside me, gripping my hands tightly.

"Ella, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault for not protecting you. I swear, I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Let’s get married right away, okay?"

I wanted to laugh.

Or maybe I did—because a metallic tang filled my mouth right before I could speak.

Then, suddenly—

A violent cough.

And blood sprayed from my lips, splattering across Alpha Laurence’s pristine suit.

His pupils dilated, his expression twisting in horror as the warm, wet droplets painted his skin.

The world tilted.

Muffled screams surrounded me.

"Doctor! Get a doctor!"

Darkness pulled at the edges of my vision. My body was shutting down, and somewhere deep inside, I knew.

I wasn’t going to make it.

The voices blurred into the background.

"She was already gravely injured, poisoned with wolfsbane, and the treatment was delayed for far too long. Coupled with the overdose of psychotropic drugs, her internal organs are severely damaged. There’s only a thirty percent chance she’ll survive the surgery."

Alpha Laurence’s voice wavered for the first time. "How could this happen? I don’t care—if you can’t save my Luna, you’ll all pay with your lives!"

Tears landed on my skin.

"Ella, we promised to be together forever. You can’t leave me behind."

Lies.

Everything had been lies.

I had nothing left—not my rank, not my dignity, not even my wolf.

And then I heard my mother.

"Please, save my daughter! Whatever it takes, I’ll pay the price. Even if it costs my own life, just save her!"

I wanted to scoff, but I was too tired.

My eyes drifted shut.

Maybe dying would be for the best.