Chapter 8

Ethan dreamt of Melody, her face streaked with blood, holding their pup—also bloodied—as they came for him. But all he wanted was to pull them into his arms.

As he reached out, their figures dissolved, leaving only darkness and emptiness.

Memories of their ten years together—a happy pack of three—flashed before him. Ethan clutched his chest, tears streaming like a broken dam. He collapsed onto the bed, a choked, desperate sob ripping from his throat. "Melody..."

Time blurred until Zoe's voice cut through. "Sweetie, don't touch that trash—it's bad luck. Come on, Mama's gonna burn it all."

Ethan bolted out barefoot, finding a black metal barrel in the yard, flames roaring inside. Burning within were Melody's and their pup's belongings.

The fire seemed to sear his heart. He kicked the barrel over, frantically clawing at the contents. His hands blistered, skin peeling, but he felt no pain—only the need to save something, anything, of his mate and pup.

Zoe grabbed him. "Ethan, you're hurt! What are you—"

He shoved her to the ground. "Who gave you the right to burn their things?"

Zoe's eyes widened, tears spilling as she scrambled for words. "I heard Melody drowned... Keeping this stuff will only hurt you more. We have our own pup now—how can we live with a dead she-wolf's things?"

Her pup clung to her, yelling at Ethan. "Bad daddy! Don't hurt Mama!"

They sobbed together, but Ethan's eyes held no warmth. He clutched a half-burned photo—their only family picture, him, Melody, and their pup. "I told you not to touch her things," he said, his voice deadly.

He stepped forward, fingers closing around Zoe's throat, his eyes blazing like a vengeful spirit. Her pup kicked at him, but Ethan swatted him away.

Zoe struggled, gasping. "Ethan, I'm sorry... I know you feel guilty—she was your first mate. But you have to move on. My dad set up a dinner tonight to introduce you to some big names. It'll help your career."

Ethan's grip loosened, and he turned away, numb.

Zoe, still convinced his outburst was just guilt, believed Melody's death meant she'd soon own his heart completely.

That night, she dressed to the nines, and they headed to the dinner. The moment they walked in, whispers flooded Ethan's ears.

"Melody, the pup-killer, jumped into the sea!"

"No way, I heard she ran off with her lover! That pup she killed? It was hers with him. Why else would Ethan turn on her? She fled to avoid his wrath."

"Her lover? You mean his old assistant, right? He quit and left the pack lands right after she went to prison. Shady, if you ask me."

The rumors crashed like waves. Zoe glanced at Ethan's darkening expression, feigning concern. "Don't listen to their nonsense. Dad's waiting."

But Ethan shook her off, stumbling to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, but it couldn't douse the doubts that had haunted him for three years.

Had Melody and Isaac Woods betrayed him?

He'd spent years hunting for Isaac, but the wolf was a ghost.

Lost in thought, he overheard Zoe outside, talking to her friend. "I told you, no wolf I want ever slips through my claws. Ethan, the mighty judge? He's my dog now."

Her friend sighed. "You're something else, Zoe. Ethan and Melody were so in love—who'd have thought you could steal him?"

"He was the toughest nut to crack," Zoe said, laughing. "To get his pup, I drugged him, and he still called out her name. So I faked evidence of Melody cheating with Isaac—even faked a paternity test to make him think the pup wasn't his. He bought it but still wouldn't break their bond. So I went all in—ran down their pup and used my pregnancy and his career to force his hand. He protected me, sent her to prison. He's been chasing Isaac ever since, not knowing I had him locked up too."

Her laugh was a knife. "Good thing Melody's dead. Ethan will never know the truth, and he'll love and thank me forever."

Inside, Ethan felt like he'd been struck by lightning. He'd fallen into Zoe's trap three years ago.

He thought Melody had betrayed him. But he was the one who'd betrayed her.

The pup he'd refused to mourn wasn't some curse—it was his own flesh and blood.

The she-wolf he'd never visited in prison wasn't a traitor but his loyal mate, true to the end.

Memories flooded him, each truth a blade through his heart. His legs gave out, and he collapsed, sobbing. "Melody, I'm sorry... Melody..."