Chapter 3
I drifted in darkness for days.
The nine prior heartblood extractions had been agonizing but survivable. This time, it felt like he'd carved out my soul.
As the purest-blooded she-wolf of the Pack, my heartblood held unparalleled power-a single drop could resurrect the dead or mend shattered bones. Yet I only carried ten drops. Ten drops that meant my death.
In fevered dreams, I relived my first meeting with Liam decades ago.
My mother had warned me before her passing: "Alice, your heart is too trusting. It'll blind you to wolves in sheep's pelts."
The memory sharpened to Liam's first betrayal-the silver dagger glinting as he pierced my chest. Afterward, he'd confessed about Phiona, his childhood sweetheart. To secure his Alpha ascension, she'd offered her virginity as a sacrifice of the pack to Moon Goddess. In the pack every man either rogue old or disabled, even crumpled had sex with her.Now he ruled the pack while she aged as a mortal, forever tethered to his guilt.
"So you pursued me for my heartblood?" I'd demanded, clutching my bandaged chest.
"But I've grown to love you, Alice. There's no future with Phiona-only this debt to settle. Surely you understand?"
Never had I hated my "trusting heart" more.
Because I did understand.
It's just heartblood, I'd told myself after each extraction. Ten drops. What's one?
But one became nine. Nine thefts for Phiona's endless crises-a carriage accident, a brutal husband, widowhood, a suicide attempt. Each time Liam returned with fresh desperation. If he loves her so deeply, I'd wondered, how could he watch her wed another? Yet part of me pitied their tragic bond.
After the ninth extraction, Liam proposed.
I accepted.
What use was a she-wolf with depleted heartblood?
Whispers followed me through the pack's territory:
"Her fur's gone white-won't last the winter."
"Pathetic. Lets Liam steal her last drop on their mating night, then he bolts? Should've seen it coming."
"He didn't know it'd kill her. Surely even he's not that cruel."
"Men are all cruel. Only a fool like Alice believes in love."
I kept walking, head bowed. My mother's final words haunted me: "You're the last of the Wisteria line, Alice. Find a worthy mate. Restore our PACK."
Shame choked me. I'd failed her. Failed my bloodline. Soon I'd be carrion, leaving the Wisteria name to rot.
Gazing at the blood-red moon, a sudden resolve crystallized:
I need to meet Phiona.
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