Chapter 3
I felt disoriented, as though my entire body was being consumed by a thousand ants. The unbearable reality of my daughter Mikayla being killed by her own father, Cyrus, the Alpha of the Shadowclaw Pack, was too much to handle. Clutching her belongings, I fell asleep on her bed, overwhelmed by grief.
The next day, Antonella, the rogue who had wormed her way into Cyrus’s life, insisted on taking me to her premiere. "Amalia, even if you can't lead pack runs anymore, you can still share this joy with me," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You designed this training sequence yourself—it’s like your own creation!" Her words cut deep into my wounds once more.
I wanted to refuse, but Cyrus, my mate—my supposed protector—chimed in immediately. "The lead role is yours, Antonella. The pack has complete confidence in you! Take Amalia along for the experience," he said, clasping my hand and gently reassuring me. "Amalia, don’t be too sad. Even though you can’t lead the pack runs anymore, Antonella will make you proud. After the event, we’ll celebrate the full moon together."
A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Even though I wanted to resist, I couldn’t defy the Alpha at that moment and reluctantly climbed into the car. The premiere was a triumph. During her speech, Antonella mentioned me in front of the gathered pack. "Originally, today’s lead was supposed to be my mentor, the former Luna of the Shadowclaw Pack, but her daughter passed away, and her health is failing. She reluctantly had to give up her beloved role in pack leadership. She’s here today, so please give her a round of applause!"
I was forced onto the stage, my loose and awkward dress a stark contrast to Antonella’s elegant appearance. Standing there, I felt utterly devoid of joy. Suddenly, Antonella leaned in and whispered harshly in my ear, "This is your last time in the spotlight. You’ll never have another chance."
Before I could react, a creaking noise echoed from below. The platform under us collapsed abruptly; we both fell. She landed on a soft cushion while I hit a jagged prop, pain coursing through my body as blood trickled down my legs.
Cyrus was the first to jump down to me, his Alpha aura flaring with urgency. "Amalia, is the pup okay? Are you alright?" His immediate concern was the child, not my well-being.
Before I could respond, Antonella was already clutching her knee, crying, "Alpha, my leg hurts! Is it broken? I’m so scared! Can you take me to the Healer?"
Cyrus glanced at me, then hurriedly ran toward Antonella without looking back. "Amalia, you’re strong; you’ll be fine. Antonella is delicate and can’t stand the pain. Hold on, the Healer is on the way."
As he left, my heart hurt far more than my body. Just before I lost consciousness, my brother Barrett, the Beta of the Silverfang Pack, arrived, bringing a medical team he had arranged. "Amalia, don’t worry. Your big brother is here, and I’ll take you home to the Silverfang Pack. You’re safe with me!" he assured me, his voice steady and commanding.
"Barrett, I don’t want this pup!" I grasped his hand, and he nodded resolutely before I slipped into unconsciousness.
I used to be the treasured daughter of the Silverfang Pack, but Cyrus had severed my ties with them. My poor judgment cost Mikayla her life.
When I reopened my eyes, I found myself back in the family den in Silverfang territory. My hand moved to my flat stomach—the pup was gone.
The phone rang, and Cyrus’s angry voice came through: "Amalia, where the hell are you? Didn’t I tell you to wait for the Healer? Why are you being so difficult? I’m warning you, if anything happens to the pup—"
I cut him off abruptly and sent him the details of the miscarriage surgery.
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