Chapter 6

I thought I'd die in that pitch-black basement, snakes slithering over me. I didn't cry in prison, not when Zoe crushed my fingers, not even when those cold scales brushed my skin. But the thought of my pup's death going unavenged, while Zoe basked in her perfect little life, free as a bird—that broke me. Tears poured out like a flood, unstoppable.

With every ounce of strength left, I crawled to the door. I wanted someone, anyone, to save me. But I was too weak to pound or scream for help.

As my vision blurred, a voice cut through the haze. "Melody!"

Ethan's towering frame loomed over me. He scooped me up, holding me tight. His words came fast, a jumble of "Wake up" and "I'm sorry." But the darkness swallowed me, and I passed out.

When I came to, I was in a hospital bed, Ethan's heavy eyes fixed on me. "This was just a warning," he said, his voice cold as stone. "Be smart, Melody. Drop it. And don't you dare go after Zoe or her pup."

My unfocused gaze sharpened, locking onto his. "Who's hurting who, Ethan?"

His jaw clenched, and he walked out without another word.

For three days, he showed up like clockwork, playing the devoted mate, tending to me as if he hadn't ripped my heart out. On the fourth day, he said, "Tomorrow's my promotion day."

The day came. I braced myself for him to hand me papers to break our bond. Instead, he looked at me, his voice steady. "I swore I'd never betray you, Melody. I keep my promises. If you want, you'll always be my rightful mate."

I almost laughed, the absurdity of it burning in my chest. If this wasn't betrayal, what was? Did he think I'd let him destroy me completely?

"Break the—" My words were cut off by his phone's shrill ring. His face changed as he answered, urgency in his voice. "I'm coming now!"

He left, and the drugs pulled me back under. Before I drifted off, I made up my mind: tomorrow, I was out of here.

A gust of wind snapped me awake. Somehow, I was standing on a cliff, the ocean crashing below. Ethan faced me, his eyes colder than the sea breeze. "You drove Zoe and her pup away. You need to apologize. Swear you'll stop digging into the case. Tell her you're wrong. Beg her to come back."

His voice was like ice cutting through me.

"No way," I snapped.

"You caused this mess," he said, stepping aside. At his feet was a black urn—my pup's ashes. I'd carried it, sobbing, from the funeral home to his grave three years ago. I'd never forget it.

"Ethan, are you out of your mind?" I whispered.

The wolf who'd sworn never to betray me had dug up our pup's grave.

"You're the one who's lost it," he growled, yanking at his tie. "He's gone, Melody, but I'm still here! Zoe's dad is my mentor. If she doesn't come back, he'll tank my promotion. Everything I've worked for could go up in smoke."

His words were insane, like he'd sacrifice anything for his ambition. "He was your own flesh and blood," I pleaded, desperate to spark some shred of conscience.

Instead, he pulled out a lighter and set fire to our pup's photo album.

I lunged, but enforcers pinned me back. I watched, helpless, as flames devoured my pup's smiling face.

As the first page burned to ash, I saw us at fifteen, when my parents broke their bond and neither wanted me. Ethan took my hand, promising, "We'll face the world together."

As the second page crumbled, I remembered eighteen, racing along a beach at sunset. He pulled me close, whispering, "Melody, I'll give you the best future."

As the third page turned to cinders, I recalled twenty-two, when he proposed with a fake ring, tears in his eyes. "I can't afford the real thing yet, but I will. Trust me, I'll climb to the top."

Every memory, burned to nothing.

Now he was almost at the top, and I was no longer part of his pack.

"Dawn's coming," Ethan said, lifting the urn. "You're out of time."

My pup's ashes were about to be tossed into the sea by his own father.

My heart burned to ash. I dropped to my knees, numb, and pressed my forehead to the rocky ground.

"Zoe, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept looking for evidence. I was wrong."

"Zoe, I'm sorry for messing with you and your pup. I was wrong."

"Zoe, I'm sorry for coming back to Ethan, trying to take your place. I was wrong."

Blood and tears blurred my sight as a fresh gash split my forehead. My voice faded to a whisper until Ethan turned to the wolf filming it all. "You got it?"

The wolf nodded. Ethan stopped me and called Zoe.

Her voice was smug. "Perfect. Come get me. My pup and I are moving in with you."

"Of course," he said.

As he turned to go, he glanced at me. "Melody, go home and wait. We'll talk when I'm back."

But I was done waiting. Ten years of waiting had led to this broken mess.

With a sudden cry, I broke free from the enforcers, lunging for the urn. As Ethan turned, I clutched it to my chest and leapt off the cliff.

Ethan, do you even have a heart? Why do you look so torn?

Falling, I savored the despair cracking across his face. I smiled.

Ethan, don't worry. The real pain's coming. I've got a final gift for you.