- 6 months ago
She loved the Alpha wholeheartedly. But at the ear of his most trusted Beta, she overheard a massive conspiracy...
๐ Lily never imagined her salvation was an elaborate lie. When she was most vulnerable, Alpha James gently welcomed her into the pack, forging a mate bond. But everything shattered when she overheard his secret plot with the Beta: he married her only to feed her suppressants, prevent her from bearing his child, and protect her motherโs killer. She must survive in a pack saturated with lies and hatred, all while enduring her mate's deceit and oppression.
โจ When she escapes this gilded cage with a meticulously planned fake death, James's world begins to crumble. Can she successfully destroy the Alpha who betrayed her in the name of love? And what will her ultimate choice be?
=================๐ฅ=================
This story contains: Deadly Deception, The Awakening of a Vengeful Queen, Double Betrayal, Heart-wrenching Redemption, and a Possessive Alpha.
Perfect for fans who love: Dark Werewolf Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers plots, Weak-to-Queen Transformation Stories, and Fake-Mate-True-Revenge plots.
๐ Lily never imagined her salvation was an elaborate lie. When she was most vulnerable, Alpha James gently welcomed her into the pack, forging a mate bond. But everything shattered when she overheard his secret plot with the Beta: he married her only to feed her suppressants, prevent her from bearing his child, and protect her motherโs killer. She must survive in a pack saturated with lies and hatred, all while enduring her mate's deceit and oppression.
โจ When she escapes this gilded cage with a meticulously planned fake death, James's world begins to crumble. Can she successfully destroy the Alpha who betrayed her in the name of love? And what will her ultimate choice be?
=================๐ฅ=================
This story contains: Deadly Deception, The Awakening of a Vengeful Queen, Double Betrayal, Heart-wrenching Redemption, and a Possessive Alpha.
Perfect for fans who love: Dark Werewolf Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers plots, Weak-to-Queen Transformation Stories, and Fake-Mate-True-Revenge plots.
Category
๐ฆ
CreativityTranscript
00:00My alpha mate James and his beta were talking in the study.
00:03They were speaking in the ancient tongue of the wolves.
00:06I had secretly learned it, wanting to be closer to his world.
00:09You only bonded with Lily to give Rosalie and Alpha's pardon.
00:13Mason's voice was laced with unease.
00:15You're giving her suppressants.
00:17Calling them nerve calmers.
00:19She'll break when she finds out the truth.
00:21My mate's cold reply echoed through the door.
00:23The point is to prevent a pup, not have one.
00:26As for Lily, I'll protect her.
00:29As long as she stays out of Rosalie's way.
00:32They didn't know I heard every word.
00:34I stood outside the door, the fresh mark he'd left on my neck still stinging.
00:38In my hand, I held the pills he gave me to calm my nerves.
00:41So his love was a lie.
00:43My salvation was a cage.
00:45If that's the case, then I'll make sure they get exactly what they wish for.
00:49Without hesitation, I swallowed the suppressants.
00:52Inside the study, the two men's conversation continued.
00:56James's beta, Mason Gray.
00:57I was clearly troubled by his conscience.
01:00Let's not even talk about you giving her suppressants.
01:03Let's talk about what Rosalie did during the cliff challenge three years ago.
01:07Lily's mother risked everything to save her.
01:09But Rosalie ambushed her with a silver dagger, using her body as a foothold to send her plummeting
01:14to her death.
01:15James, anyone who's seen the magical recording knows it was deliberate.
01:20Lily was right to appeal to the Council of Elders.
01:22But you became Lily's mate, so Rosalie wouldn't be put on trial.
01:26You even signed that Alpha's pardon behind Lily's back.
01:29Yes, Rosalie is fine.
01:31But Lily's spirit was shattered, and her inner wolf has all but fallen silent.
01:36She's been blaming herself all this time.
01:38If she ever finds out the truth, she'll go mad.
01:41James' voice cold and insistent.
01:44Rosalie didn't do it on purpose.
01:45She just slipped.
01:46It was a subconscious reaction.
01:49She regrets Lily's mother's death, too.
01:51I've hidden the pardon well.
01:53Lily will never know the truth.
01:54Besides, I'm good to her.
01:57I'll give her a home and spend the rest of my life making it up to her.
02:00She'll forget the pain and get better.
02:02Mason sighed.
02:03Calm down.
02:04My heart just aches for Lily.
02:05You appeared in her darkest hour, and she fell in love with you.
02:09But the person you truly love is Rosalie.
02:12Never mind.
02:12I hope you can keep this hidden and not live to regret it.
02:16James, sipping his drink, said firmly,
02:19I won't.
02:20My world shattered.
02:21I fled the house I once considered my sanctuary.
02:24I ran to the summit of the snowy mountain at the edge of the pack's territory.
02:28Just as I was completely disillusioned with love memories I had buried,
02:31deep within me began to resurface.
02:33Chapter 1
02:34The day my former mate-to-be, Lucas Vance, and I were to be bonded,
02:39Rosalie couldn't accept it.
02:41She was in love with Lucas.
02:42She left a suicide note and entered the dangerous cliff challenge.
02:46She was actually a skilled climber.
02:48Even so, my mother followed her to protect her,
02:50even though Rosalie was merely my father's illegitimate daughter.
02:54Many people captured the scene with magical recordings.
02:57I saw my mother grab hold of Rosalie,
02:59but then Rosalie drew a silver dagger and stabbed her
03:02before stepping on my mother's shoulder
03:03and shoving her violently off the cliff.
03:06And just like that, my mother was dead.
03:09When I rushed over, Rosalie was sobbing.
03:12I was just so scared.
03:13Please don't blame me, Lily.
03:16When your mom protected me, she would have wanted me to live.
03:19I broke down, demanding to know why she had used a silver weapon on my mother.
03:24She just cried and cried, insisting she didn't mean to.
03:28Despite this, I appealed to the Council of Elders,
03:31accusing her of murder.
03:32Then, Lucas rejected our bond and stood by Rosalie's side instead.
03:36Consumed by grief, I could only watch as the faded mate mark on my arm,
03:41the one binding me to him painfully twisted and reformed
03:44before my very eyes into Rosalie's name.
03:47Lucas said,
03:48I won't let you hurt Rosalie.
03:50Rumors spread like wildfire throughout the pack.
03:52They said I was using my mother's death to gain sympathy.
03:55They called me paranoid and crazy, jealous of my own sister.
03:59That was why my mate-to-be had abandoned me.
04:01The overwhelming gossip suffocated me, and I broke down.
04:04My inner wolf grew so quiet that a healer diagnosed her as having fallen silent.
04:09Even so, I never gave up on seeking justice for my mother.
04:13My mother had cared for and protected me for 23 years.
04:17How could I abandon the fight for her justice?
04:20It was then that James began to earn my trust.
04:22He took care of me with meticulous attention, protecting me in every way.
04:27I saw him as my salvation, accepted his proposal,
04:30and completed the bonding ceremony with him.
04:32After we were bonded, the Council of Elders dismissed my appeal.
04:37I tried my best to put it all behind me and heal.
04:39I wanted to have a pup with James, for our family to be happy.
04:44Who would have thought that my supposed salvation was actually proof of his deep love for Rosalie?
04:48Chapter 2
04:49Sometime later, James followed my scent and appeared before me.
04:54When he saw me, the tension on his face vanished, and his eyes filled with pity.
04:58Why did you run off here all alone?
05:01I was worried.
05:02It's getting colder.
05:03And things are busy in the pack at the end of the year.
05:06If you got sick, I'd be heartbroken.
05:08I wasn't surprised that James had found me.
05:11He had once claimed it was our mate Bond's mind link.
05:14Now I finally understood.
05:16It was the tracking rune in the necklace around my neck.
05:18He wanted to monitor me, terrified I would cause trouble for Rosalie.
05:22I just blinked.
05:24My tears had long since dried, and I stared blankly at the snowflakes drifting down from the sky.
05:30I heard that praying to the moon goddess makes wishes come true, so I came out to make a wish.
05:35My first wish was simple, that James and I could sever our mate Bond smoothly.
05:39My second wish, that I would never see him again after our Bond was broken.
05:44That my mother's spirit could finally rest in peace.
05:47I hope she doesn't hate me for falling in love with the accomplice of her murderer, for even wanting to bear his pup.
05:53James draped his coat over my shoulders and affectionately tapped my nose.
05:57You should have dressed more warmly.
05:59Look at your hands, they're freezing.
06:01What did you wish for?
06:03I watched numbly as he continued his tender performance.
06:07About us, and about my mother.
06:10James stiffened, his eyes narrowing as they searched my face.
06:14Rosalie is your half-sister.
06:15No matter what, she's your family.
06:18She was also devastated by your mother's death, and now you two only have each other.
06:24It's been three years.
06:25Why don't you?
06:26I knew what he was implying.
06:28I know.
06:29I won't cause any more trouble.
06:31My appeal had already failed.
06:33She was never punished.
06:34Furthermore, even if that pardon were revoked, nothing would change.
06:39James looked relieved.
06:40His expression didn't change,
06:41but the slight upward tilt of his lips told me he was in a much better mood.
06:46My love, I'm so glad you've put this behind you.
06:49It's a new year.
06:51A new beginning.
06:52Let's spend the rest of our lives together.
06:54We'll be happy.
06:55I promise.
06:56I just listened to him in silence.
06:58Before long, James took me home.
07:00Mason was gone, and James said he had to handle some pack business in his study.
07:04I sat there, numb.
07:06A thousand emotions raged within me until I took out the bond-severing ritual scroll I
07:11had prepared.
07:13Without a second thought, I signed it and went straight to the study, but I found the
07:17door ajar and no one inside.
07:19It was my first time entering his private chamber, which was neat and tidy.
07:23On the wall hung a life-sized portrait of Rosalie.
07:27Propped against the leg of the desk was a piece of wolf-hide parchment, covered with her
07:31name written over and over.
07:33Every stroke was filled with a boyish, lovesick devotion.
07:39I thought I could calmly accept the truth of his betrayal.
07:42But I couldn't.
07:43My heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, a pain that not even a
07:47werewolf's healing ability could mend.
07:50Chapter 3
07:50On the desk was a gorgeous obsidian box.
07:54Inside was a moonstone necklace, the very one I had always longed for.
07:58Such a gem symbolized pure love and a soul bond.
08:01I loved the subtle and mysterious beauty of moonstone.
08:04James, however, always gave me gold jewelry.
08:07He would say,
08:08Jewelry symbolizes status and wealth.
08:11Besides, you're beautiful.
08:12You look like a queen no matter what you wear.
08:14I had believed his sweet words.
08:17Returning to the present, I took the moonstone necklace out of the box.
08:20It was beautiful.
08:21The moonstone shimmered with an ethereal blue light, adorned with tiny, star-like crystals
08:27that made the gem sparkle brilliantly as it moved in the candlelight.
08:30I saw a rose emblem engraved on the back of the necklace.
08:34Rosalie.
08:34A strangled gasp escaped me.
08:36The last fragile pieces of my heart crumbled to dust, but in their place, a cold clarity
08:41washed over me.
08:43Tears streamed down my face, yet a bitter laugh escaped my lips.
08:47Enduring the heart-wrenching agony, I resolved to break free from the gilded cage of love
08:52James had built for me.
08:54I had had enough.
08:55It was time to leave.
08:57I contacted a wandering illusionist witch and made all the arrangements.
09:00I just had to wait for the pack, enforcers to find the alpha's pardon that James had
09:05hidden from me for three years.
09:07That night, James didn't come back.
09:09When he returned the next day, he smiled and said to me,
09:12Lily, tomorrow is the Blood Moon Festival, and it's also Rosalie's birthday.
09:17Let's celebrate together.
09:19I've already invited Rosalie over for dinner on your behalf.
09:23You two have been estranged for so long, it's time to resolve this conflict.
09:28Please, do it for me.
09:30I looked at James.
09:31He was coaxing me so gently, his eyes filled with love and sincerity.
09:36For some reason, I was suddenly reminded of those dark days.
09:40He used to look at me the same way, gently taking the knife from my hand,
09:44saving me from the depths of despair.
09:46Fine, I'll go.
09:48Since this was what he wanted, I would grant him his wish.
09:51I was doing this to repay the so-called kindness of him saving me when my inner wolf had fallen
09:56silent.
09:57The night of the Blood Moon Festival banquet arrived.
10:00James had booked a table at a restaurant.
10:02Rosalie appeared, a vision in a white dress.
10:06James immediately let go of my hand and walked toward her.
10:08Happy birthday, Rosalie.
10:10This is my gift to you.
10:12I glanced over.
10:13It was the same box, the same moonstone necklace.
10:16Of course, it was for her.
10:18As if just realizing I was there, James gave an awkward laugh and added,
10:22Your sister and I picked it out together.
10:24Rosalie raised an eyebrow with amusement.
10:27I love it.
10:27The moment James left to speak with an elder, her smile vanished, and she approached me.
10:33Mrs. Blackwood, how kind of you to remember your poor little sister.
10:37But your mate is just my sloppy seconds.
10:39A man I rejected.
10:40You must know that, don't you?
10:42I gave her a sidelong glance and sat down.
10:45Is that all you wanted to do?
10:47Show off?
10:47Seeing that I wasn't upset, Rosalie froze, but she quickly broke into a malicious smile.
10:53Of course not.
10:54Since you gave me a gift, I have one for you, too.
10:57She took out a shattered stone, my mother's spirit stone, and tossed it in front of me
11:01like a piece of trash.
11:03I was stunned when I saw it.
11:05A spirit stone is the crystallization of a powerful werewolf's life force.
11:08To shatter one is the greatest desecration of the deceased spirit.
11:13Why did Rosalie have it?
11:14I grabbed her arm.
11:15Where did you get this?
11:17Answer me.
11:18Rosalie smirked provocatively.
11:20I took it from that old witch's resting cave.
11:23Heh.
11:23Look at me.
11:24So thoughtful.
11:25I even remembered to give it to you.
11:28Lily, if your mother hadn't gotten in my way, I would have been with Lucas long ago.
11:33It's all your mother's fault.
11:34She deserved to die.
11:36And even in death, her spirit won't find any peace.
11:39So, I destroyed her resting cave and shattered her spirit stone.
11:44It's what she deserves.
11:45Pure rage consumed me.
11:47My eyes flashed crimson as I lunged for her throat.
11:50I knew it.
11:51You did kill my mother on purpose, Rosalie.
11:53I'm going to tear you apart.
11:55Comentario zero comentario.
11:57Chapter 4
11:58Rosalie struggled, laughing maniacally.
12:01You call me a murderer?
12:02Do you have any proof?
12:03Your ex loves me, and your alpha loves me.
12:06They both believe I'm innocent and kind.
12:08They help me.
12:09What can you possibly do?
12:11Her words fueled my rage, but weakened by the long-term use of the suppressants, I lacked
12:16the strength and was shoved to the ground.
12:19But the next second, Rosalie suddenly crumpled to the floor, her voice a pained cry.
12:24Lily, do you hate me that much?
12:25I'm sorry.
12:26Please, stop hitting me.
12:29Rosalie, are you okay?
12:30James had obviously heard the commotion and rushed over.
12:33He glared at me, and before I could utter a word of defense, he unleashed his alpha's
12:38command.
12:39It was a powerful mental and spiritual suppression that sent me flying into a wall.
12:44Disappointment burned in his eyes.
12:46Lily, she's your sister.
12:47How could you try to kill her?
12:48Have you gone mad?
12:49Rosalie shook her head sadly.
12:51Don't blame Lily, James.
12:53It's my fault.
12:54I'm the one who accidentally killed her mother.
12:56Ignoring the sharp pain in my gut, I glared at him with bloodshot eyes.
13:00Only we knew the location of my mother's resting cave.
13:04Did you tell Rosalie so she could go desecrate her spirit?
13:08What are you talking about?
13:09James was incredulous.
13:11Rosalie just went to pay her respects.
13:13How could you think your sister would do something so horrible?
13:16James had once sworn he loved only me.
13:19Yet whenever Rosalie was in trouble, the true bias in his heart was always exposed, and he
13:24never even tried to conceal it.
13:25And yet, he was completely oblivious to it.
13:29I stared at him, trembling, and suddenly laughed.
13:32Fine, James.
13:33Since you want to protect her, then go on.
13:35If you only knew, never mind.
13:37I hope you never live to regret this.
13:39In the past, I would have caused a scene whenever James showed the slightest concern for Rosalie.
13:44But this time, my cold indifference clearly unnerved him.
13:48James suddenly panicked.
13:50He let go of Rosalie to comfort me.
13:52Don't say things like that to scare me.
13:54I'll worry.
13:55I'm not protecting her.
13:56You were terrifying just now.
13:58You almost killed her, do you realize that?
14:00Your mother saved Rosalie.
14:02She just wanted to pay her respects.
14:04She would never desecrate your mother's spirit.
14:06Don't be so paranoid.
14:07It will only make you both miserable.
14:10I'm sorry I hurt you just now.
14:12I was too impulsive.
14:13You go home and rest first.
14:15Take your medicine.
14:16I'm taking Rosalie to the healer for a checkup.
14:19If she's okay, I'll come home to be with you right away.
14:22All right?
14:22With that, he left with Rosalie.
14:26Rosalie glanced at me and gave a mocking smile.
14:29I stared after her, unable to move a single step.
14:32My hands wouldn't stop shaking, and I struggled to breathe.
14:36Emotions washed over me like a tidal wave, and I collapsed to the floor in a heap.
14:41I knew my body was shutting down from the overwhelming distress.
14:44My communication crystal chimed several times, but I didn't even have the strength to answer.
14:49After a long while, I finally picked up the communication crystal.
14:53Miss Shaw, this is the pack enforcers.
14:56We have obtained the Alpha's pardon you mentioned, which we located through an anonymous tip.
15:00It has been delivered to your home.
15:02Please sign for it.
15:04I suppressed the turmoil in my heart and forced my broken body out of the restaurant.
15:09I scrubbed every trace of James from my mind, severing the bond in my heart.
15:14From this moment on, all ties with him were broken.
15:18On his way to take Rosalie home, James received an urgent call from the pack enforcers.
15:23He answered it, only to hear terrible news.
15:26Alpha Blackwood, this is the pack enforcers.
15:29We've recovered a body from the base of the Weeping Cliffs.
15:32A suicide note and an Alpha's pardon were found at the scene.
15:35The pardon was written by you for Rosalie Shaw, and we have verified the contents of the note.
15:40It was written by your mate, Lily Shaw.
15:42Please come and identify her body.
15:44Chapter 5
15:45James was stunned by the enforcers' words.
15:47One, he didn't seem to comprehend what was being said, and it took a long moment for him to snap back to reality.
15:54Suicide?
15:55What kind of sick joke is this?
15:57How could my mate have fallen from a cliff?
15:59Is this a prank?
16:01And what pardon?
16:03I did write one, but there's no way my mate has it.
16:06The enforcer hadn't expected such a response.
16:10Nevertheless, he coolly relayed the facts to James.
16:13We received a witness report around 9 p.m.
16:15tonight about someone falling from the cliffs.
16:18According to a magical recording, a female werewolf jumped.
16:22We found a suicide note and the shoes she was wearing at the spot where she jumped.
16:26After a three-hour search, we found your mate's body among the rocks at the bottom of the cliff,
16:30with multiple burns from silver on her body.
16:33James slammed on the brakes, screeching the car to a halt on the side of the road.
16:38Impossible.
16:39I just celebrated the Blood Moon Festival with my mate and told her to wait for me at home.
16:45How could she just kill herself?
16:47Come and see for yourself and you'll understand, the enforcer said coldly.
16:51Sitting in the passenger seat, Rosalie's eyes flashed with a hint of triumph upon hearing this.
16:56However, she immediately feigned a worried expression.
17:00What's wrong, James?
17:01Did something happen to Lily?
17:02Why don't you go to the enforcer's hall?
17:04I can get back on my own.
17:05James' face was a mask of horror, and to Rosalie's surprise, he didn't insist on taking her home.
17:12Instead, he opened the car door and gestured for her to get out.
17:15I'm sorry, Rosalie.
17:18Something's happened to Lily, and I have to go to the enforcer's hall.
17:22You'll have to get back on your own.
17:25Rosalie was taken aback, but she nodded politely, putting on a pitiful expression as she said,
17:30Okay, James, don't worry about me.
17:33I'll be fine on my own.
17:35But, for Lily to fall from a cliff on the day of the Blood Moon Festival and my birthday,
17:40is she trying to get back at me for her mother's death?
17:43I just wanted to reunite with her as family and resolve the conflict between us.
17:47I never thought she was so paranoid and that something like this would happen.
17:50Please don't be angry with me.
17:52James said nothing.
17:53After a long moment, he finally nodded.
17:56I have to go now.
17:57For the first time, he wanted to get away from Rosalie as quickly as possible.
18:02On the way to the enforcer's hall, his heart was filled with dread and unease.
18:06He'd always considered Lily a duty, not a necessity.
18:09The sudden sharp ache in his chest at the thought of losing her was a brutal surprise.
18:13Later, the enforcer handed him the suicide note and the pardon.
18:17The moment he saw the parchment, fear coiled in his gut.
18:21After a long moment, with a tremor in his hands, James finally forced himself to read.
18:26My life turned out to be just a lie you wrote for another woman.
18:30My love, this will be the last time I call you that.
18:33If you're reading this, it means I have left your world.
18:36James, thank you for saving me with your thoughtfulness and care when my inner wolf had
18:40fallen silent, when I was at my lowest.
18:43I thought you were my salvation, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.
18:47I thought we could have a pup together and live as a normal family of three.
18:53But the truth is so ironic.
18:55You never loved me.
18:56You bonded with me only so I would stop bothering Rosalie.
18:59You didn't even think I was worthy of bearing your pup.
19:02I was furious about this, and I wanted to sever our mate bond.
19:06But the last straw was you telling Rosalie the location of my mother's resting cave.
19:10She shattered my mother's spirit stone.
19:13She insulted and bullied me, but you never once defended me.
19:16As the moon goddess is my witness, our bond ends here.
19:19Leave my memory in peace.
19:21Lily knew their bond was just a carefully crafted lie.
19:24The moment James finished reading the note, his face grew even paler.
19:28Our bond ends here.
19:30Those words stabbed into his eyes like needles.
19:32Reading it made his eyes ache and burn.
19:34Panic seized his heart, and tears welled up.
19:37He swayed weakly, collapsing to the ground as he pleaded with the enforcer.
19:41Where is my mate's body?
19:43An enforcer led him to the morgue.
19:44The body had been magically disguised to look heavily corroded by silver,
19:48but the clothes were the same as what Lily had worn.
19:51James couldn't help but retch.
19:53As he looked at her dead and decaying face, he remembered all the moments they had shared.
19:58Suddenly, his vision went black, and he fainted.
20:02The enforcers promptly sent him to a healer.
20:05When James regained consciousness, he felt as if he had woken from a dream.
20:09He immediately stumbled to Lily's mother's resting cave.
20:12The cave, which Lily had once meticulously tended, had its protective runes destroyed.
20:18The spirit stone inside was shattered into several pieces, discarded beneath the altar.
20:23Turf eat.
20:24In that moment, he finally understood.
20:26All of Lily's grievances were true.
20:28And yet, James had never believed her.
20:30He had thought Lily was just jealous of Rosalie, making up those terrible lies.
20:34He knelt before the cave, howling in agony and apologizing.
20:38I'm sorry.
20:40I'm so, so sorry.
20:42Just as he was consumed by regret, his communication crystal chimed.
20:46James, there's something interesting on the memory crystal recorded by the neutral druids at the festival.
20:52You should come take a look.
20:54The crystal had recorded the entire damning exchange of Rosalie taunting and framing Lily.
20:58The images in the memory crystal hit James like a sledgehammer.
21:02His world shattered.
21:03He collapsed.
21:05The air forced from his lungs.
21:06The dam of his denial building since the moment he heard of Lily's death finally shattered under the weight of his guilt.
21:12Chapter 6
21:13He wept, pounding the ground over and over.
21:16Why?
21:17Why didn't I believe her?
21:19James staggered home, a hollowed-out man.
21:21When his neighbors saw him, they looked at him with contempt.
21:24James hung his head, not bothering to defend himself.
21:27His tears just flowed silently.
21:30He remembered how Lily had looked that day, alone on the snowy peak.
21:35She had been staring blankly at the snow.
21:37She should have been peacefully watching the snowfall, but her eyes had been filled with unshed tears.
21:43The news of the Blackwood Pack Alpha's mate committing suicide by jumping off a cliff soon spread like wildfire throughout the werewolf community.
21:50Some werewolves dug up the fact that James had publicly courted Rosalie more than once before his bonding with me.
21:56All sorts of rumors about the complex relationships between me, James, Rosalie, and Lucas circulated throughout werewolf society.
22:06People believed that it was the people around me who had driven me to my death.
22:09By the time I received the news in my secluded home in Alaska, my former pack had already been turned.
22:15Upside down.
22:16Yes, I wasn't dead.
22:17The moment I decided to sever the bond, I had contacted an illusionist witch.
22:22At this moment, I just calmly watched the news.
22:25I had let go of my love for James.
22:27I only wanted to see them ruined.
22:29Completely and utterly ruined.
22:31Perhaps the Council of Elders would never reinvestigate my mother's case.
22:35However, I would use public.
22:37Opinion to ensure they never knew a moment of peace.
22:40Alaska is cold all year round.
22:42The long nights leave you with only your own shadow for company, but it was a fitting place for me.
22:47To settle into my new life, I opened an art gallery and began to heal myself through art.
22:52Leaving wasn't as hard as I had imagined.
22:54It was, in fact, liberating.
22:57However, since my death, the once vibrant James had completely changed.
23:02He locked himself in his room, allowing himself to be consumed by remorse.
23:06Unfortunately for him, no matter how many times he got drunk, I never appeared in his dreams.
23:12As he wept helplessly, someone grabbed his wrist.
23:15Rosalie looked at him with concern.
23:17James, stop drinking.
23:19The dead can't be brought back to life, and you must learn to let go.
23:22He flung her hand away.
23:24His dull eyes gradually cleared, and at the same time disgust and hatred filled them.
23:30Chapter 7
23:30The next second, he was choking Rosalie.
23:34The hatred in his eyes burned, and for a second, he was ready to kill.
23:38Rosalie, why did you lie to me?
23:40Why did you desecrate Lily's mother's spirit?
23:42How could you be so evil?
23:43He then threw her to the ground.
23:46Rosalie watched in disbelief as James advanced on her.
23:49What's wrong with you, James?
23:51It's me, Rosalie.
23:52The one you love most.
23:54James just glared at her.
23:56The affection he had always held for her was gone.
23:58Are you still playing innocent?
24:00Did you really think I wouldn't investigate further after I found out you lied to me?
24:04How could you do such a terrible thing?
24:06Lily's death is all because of you.
24:08Rosalie was stunned when she heard James yelling at her hysterically.
24:12In the past, he had always been so accommodating.
24:14After a moment, she decided to give up the act and laughed.
24:17You think I'm the cause of her death?
24:19James, why are you playing innocent yourself?
24:22My relationship with Lily was never good.
24:25You are the real reason she died.
24:27You, the person she trusted all along.
24:30It was you who, in order to protect me,
24:32desecrated the sacred, fated mate bond and married Lily to torture her,
24:36and now you're making me the scapegoat?
24:38Am I the one in the wrong?
24:40James's face grew progressively paler, and he collapsed to the ground.
24:44Yes, it's all my fault.
24:46But the consequences were only beginning to snowball.
24:49Alpha. Bad news.
24:51The stock of our PACS business empire has plummeted,
24:54and several allied PACS have cut ties.
24:57James's assistant, Walter, rushed in.
24:59James had wanted to wallow in his grief,
25:02but he soon went out to deal with the PACS problems.
25:05My death was simply too strange.
25:07So, everyone, based on the information they had previously found,
25:10tried to uncover the mystery behind it.
25:12The rumor mills were ablaze,
25:14with one headline screaming above the rest,
25:17Alpha Drive's fated mate to suicide for sister-in-law.
25:20Chapter 8. Online.
25:22Public fury burned white hot.
25:24One soon, they began to boycott all business partners
25:27and allied PACS that worked with the Blackwood PAC,
25:30causing its power to plummet and verge on collapse.
25:33The public narrative was clear.
25:35Our picture-perfect romance had been a monstrous lie
25:37to cover another woman's crimes.
25:39At one point, the Blackwood PACS power hit rock bottom,
25:43on the verge of bankruptcy.
25:45With no other choice,
25:46the PACS elders joined forces to remove James from his position as Alpha,
25:50and the storm finally subsided.
25:53Rosalie was not so lucky.
25:54Someone had taken it upon themselves
25:56to analyze the magical recordings of her cliff challenge frame by frame.
26:00They discovered her hidden silver dagger,
26:02and the subtle push she gave as my mother fell.
26:04Someone even found her encrypted journal,
26:07which detailed her murder plot.
26:08This old witch keeps showing up to annoy me.
26:11Why hasn't a demon dragged her to hell?
26:13I've thought of a good way to kill her without taking the blame.
26:16I just need to make her die by accident while she's protecting me.
26:19I'm going to the challenge tomorrow.
26:21Wait for my good news.
26:23It was undeniable proof that Rosalie had planned my mother's.
26:26Murder.
26:27Netizens urged the Council of Elders to take action,
26:30and they quickly initiated a supreme trial.
26:32After a thorough investigation,
26:34Rosalie had a mental breakdown during the interrogation
26:37and confessed everything.
26:39As everyone now knew, she had done it on purpose.
26:41She received her due punishment.
26:43Eternal imprisonment in the silent dungeon
26:45for the grave crimes of kinslaying and use of a forbidden weapon.
26:49I thought I would be happy to see this.
26:51After all,
26:52the two people who had hurt and betrayed me
26:54had received their just deserts.
26:56Strangely,
26:56I felt nothing.
26:58It was as if the old lily had died
27:00the moment I faked my death and left.
27:03With that thought,
27:04I turned off my communication crystal
27:05and began to prepare for my gallery's first exhibition.
27:08It wasn't until midnight
27:09that I put down my brush in front of the easel
27:11and fell into a deep sleep.
27:13Chapter 9, Ampere's Year Later,
27:15my gallery in Alaska had become quite well known.
27:19Sometimes,
27:19I would even invite friends who lived nearby
27:21to taste the cuisine of my homeland.
27:24I also adopted a silly and mischievous husky.
27:26My life was full.
27:28One afternoon,
27:29I suddenly received a call from the illusionist witch.
27:32Miss Shaw,
27:32I'm so sorry.
27:34Mr.
27:34Blackwood has been looking for you.
27:36Some tourists traveling in Alaska
27:38posted the address of your gallery
27:39and a painting on social media.
27:41And Mr.
27:42Blackwood became convinced you weren't dead.
27:45He even used his connections to find us.
27:47I knew the truth of my faked death
27:48would come out one day.
27:50After all,
27:50James had a powerful family.
27:52It was easy for him to use his connections to find me.
27:55It's okay.
27:55Hey, it's all in the past,
27:57I replied coolly.
27:58I knew James would come to talk to me,
28:00but I didn't expect it to be so soon.
28:03The next morning,
28:04as I was about to open the gallery,
28:05I saw James standing at the door.
28:07He seemed to have been standing there for a long time
28:10as his head was covered in snow
28:12and he looked haggard.
28:13The moment he saw me,
28:15he rushed over and hugged me like an abandoned pup.
28:18With tears in his eyes,
28:19he apologized over and over,
28:21begging for my forgiveness.
28:22I instinctively dodged his embrace.
28:25James,
28:26we're over.
28:27The lily you think you loved is dead
28:29and I don't want to see you again.
28:31I've told you many times before,
28:33I hate lies and betrayal the most.
28:36For me,
28:37a bond is for life.
28:38Anything less,
28:39and we're strangers.
28:41There is no middle ground.
28:43James was stunned by my response.
28:45The next second,
28:46he grabbed my wrist
28:46and pulled me into his arms.
28:48Lily,
28:48we are fated mates by the moon goddess.
28:51You told me you would love me forever.
28:53We can have a pup.
28:54We can have a happy family,
28:56he said.
28:57His voice choked with sobs.
28:58His words only made me laugh.
29:00Do you remember, James?
29:01You said that if a father doesn't look forward to a pup's birth,
29:04that pup will suffer?
29:06And you're telling me now you want a pup with me?
29:09When you swapped my medicine for suppressants,
29:11did you ever consider that I might want a pup of my own?
29:14When your private chamber was filled with portraits of another woman,
29:18did you ever think how much my heart would ache?
29:20If apologies worked,
29:22all the past hurts would just disappear,
29:24wouldn't they?
29:25My words made James's face turn ashen.
29:27He began to close the distance between us,
29:29his tone pleading and pained.
29:32Even if I made a huge mistake,
29:33you shouldn't have faked your death and left me.
29:36I just looked at him indifferently.
29:38James continued.
29:39Do you know how much pain I've been in this past year?
29:41Do you know how much regret and guilt I feel?
29:44For you,
29:45I almost threw myself into that icy river.
29:48He desperately tried to prove he loved me deeply,
29:51showing me all the scars on his body.
29:53I just snorted.
29:55What now, Mr. Blackwood?
29:56Are you trying to make me feel guilty?
29:58Those were your choices.
30:00They have nothing to do with me.
30:01Just as you chose to believe Rosalie,
30:04even though you could have found out the truth.
30:06Just as you could have told me you didn't want a pup.
30:09Instead,
30:09you chose to watch me take those suppressants and see a healer.
30:12Bear the consequences of your own actions.
30:15Don't give me another reason to despise you.
30:17I didn't want to waste any more words on this man.
30:20Nevertheless,
30:21I said calmly,
30:22James,
30:23I hope we can part on good terms.
30:25Since we have gone our separate ways,
30:27let's not meet again.
30:28I slipped into my gallery,
30:30while he stood frozen in place,
30:32until he was numb from the cold.
30:34Finally,
30:35he gave me one last meaningful look and left.
30:38From that day on,
30:40James disappeared from my life and no longer bothered me.
30:43The next time I heard news of him,
30:44he was in self-imposed exile on the most dangerous frontier,
30:48atoning for his sins through battle and guardianship.
30:51However,
30:52that no longer had anything to do with me.
30:54I had also started a new life,
30:56and my gallery was thriving.
30:58Whenever I had free time,
31:00I would travel the world with my husky.
31:01We went to many places and saw many unforgettable sights.
31:06As time passed,
31:06my heart gradually warmed,
31:08and my inner wolf became strong and free.
31:10The past was a closed book.
31:12My future was an open road,
31:14and it was the only path I cared to walk.
31:17I was no longer afraid,
31:19nor did I yearn for anyone's love.
31:21I bought myself flowers,
31:22got my favorite cake when I craved it,
31:24and drove out to see the aurora when I wanted to see the stars.
31:27I loved myself,
31:29and my dog loved me.
31:30Truly,
31:30when I learned to love myself,
31:33the whole world brightened for me.
31:34Truly,
31:34when I learned to love myself,
31:34the whole world brightened for me.
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