Nicole’s Pov "Ethan Marlowe left me high and dry on our mating day.What does he think I am?" My sister, Evelyn flawlessly made up, every hair in place, shot to her feet and slammed her palm down on the vanity. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned, furious and humiliated. "Mom, how am I supposed to face the pack?All packs will laugh! I’m a joke!"Evelyn snarled, Luna Sophia, her fur-trimmed gown stiff with authority, reached for her daughter’s wrist. Yes, her mom, not mine. I am just the bаst3rd omega daughter of Alpha Lucas, here to do Evelyn’s mating-day makeup for 500 silver coins. When the Silver Blade pack announced they were arranging a match for Ethan Marlowe, their next alpha, other packs were getting ready. Silver Blade wasn’t just powerful, they controlled the northern territories, their wolves faster, stronger, their alpha bloodline unbroken for centuries. Marlowe Family is the current Alpha. Every pack from the Iron Claw to the Whispering Pines begged for a marital alliance. Alpha Lucas of Blood Moon pack was no different. Alpha Lucas had smelled opportunity from a mile away. He eagerly pushed her two loved daughters Lily and Evelyn forward, hoping one of them would marry into money. Although I am also his daughter, to be precise, I am merely his illegitimate daughter. Naturally, I was not within his options. My two sisters both convinced Ethan was a golden ticket. But everyone knew the truth. Ethan Marlowe already had someone he loved. So really, none of the current matter should have come as a shock. I felt zero sympathy for Evelyn. Everything was her choice. Evelyn sobbed and screamed"Call it off! I won’t stand there like a fool." "Let's not jump to conclusions," Alpha Lucas said stiffly. "Just wait first." That was when Charles Marlowe, entered the room, leaning on his cane. He is the elder Alpha of Silver blade pack,but still holds absolute authority. I could even feel the oppressive force brought by his wolf. "Whether Ethan shows up or not, the wedding will proceed," Alpha Charles continued calmly. "In our pack, marriages are decided by the elders. Once the ceremony is done, she's a member of the Marlowe family and will be future Luna of Silver blade pack." I nearly rolled her eyes. Did he seriously not know what Ethan Marlowe had done for his so-called soulmate? Street fights, drinking contests that landed him in the ER, massive citywide billboards confessing his love, hll, even a life-or-death duel. The room fell silent instantly, at this moment,an aide rushed in, pale and breathless. "You've found Ethan?" Alpha Charles lifted his gaze. The aide said, "Alpha, young master was driving toward the airport at high speed and got into a severe car accident. He's been taken to the hospital. The situation is critical, they've already issued a critical condition notice." Alpha Charles tightened his grip on his cane, his body swaying slightly. "Where was he flying?" he asked coldly. "Possibly the southern territory.." Alpha Charles let out a sharp, humorless laugh. " For that woman again. He's throwing his life away now." Alpha Charles insisted to complete this wedding. "I'll stay here and see this wedding through. If Ethan dies, then it'll be a posthumous marriage. If he lives, consider it a lucky marriage meant to ward off disaster." Pathetic. My father, Alpha Lucas and Luna Sophia expressions darkened. Especially Evelyn's. Just moments ago, she'd been future Luna of Silver blade pack and would process countless wealth. But now? Ethan might not even survive. And even if he did, a crash like that would leave lasting damage. What if he lost an arm? A leg? No amount of money could make that worth it. Alpha Charles said to my father flatly. " if the wedding proceeds, Silver blade pack will continue to made an alliance with Blood moon pack. You will have more say in the entire werewolf world. I expect the ceremony to go on as scheduled." With that, he left the room, giving no room for argument. I felt like i was watching a drama unfold from the best seat in the house. Evelyn stomped her feet, hysterical. "I'm not marrying Ethan! If he dies, I'll be a widow! No way!" Alpha Lucas's eyes flickered."He's not dead yet," he snapped irritably. Luna Sophia said coldly, "Then have Nicole marry him. Alpha Charles only said the wedding must proceed, he never said Evelyn had to be the bride. He probably doesn't even care who it is. He just wants to spite Ethan." I noticed Alpha Lucas's gaze instinctively shifted to me. It made me shudder instantly. I looked straight at him, my eyes sharp as knives, and let out a mocking laugh. "Dad, don't you think this is ridiculous? When Ethan was healthy, you only wanted Lily or Evelyn to marry into the Silver blade pack. Now that he might die, you suddenly remember I exist?" "Enough. Just name your price." He interrupted my words. I raised five fingers. "Five million." "Fine," he said without hesitation. As long as the price was right, I'd agree to anything. Thirty minutes passed in a blink. Alpha Charles returned. I smiled and dipped her head politely. "Mr. Marlowe, as you can see, my father agrees the wedding should go on, just with a different bride. Me, instead. Is that acceptable?" Charles narrowed his sharp, clear eyes and gave me a once-over. "That'll do." Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "You're easy on the eyes."

Nicole’s Pov Evelyn yanked off her wedding dress and tossed it onto the floor. "It's yours now. Hurry up and put it on." I chuckled softly. "No rush. Dad, payment first. I don't do IOUs." A vein popped on his forehead But with time running out, he transferred the money anyway. "Nicole, you're nothing but a Dam debt collector," he snapped. I gave him nonchalant smile. Once the ceremony ended, the Marlowe family's longtime house steward Mark escorted me to the Marlowe Villa. This is also their Alpha’s residence. I have heard that the Alpha’s Villa of the Silver blade pack is the most magnificent and splendid. I never expected that one day I would end up living here. My wolf Athena was so excited to walk back and forth." Nicole, I felt the wolf power here is so strong. This truly proves that it is the most powerful wolf family." I tried to soothe her agitated emotions." Anyway, we finally managed to escape the Blood moon pack and that disgusting mother and daughter pair " Mark formally but without warmth. "Everyone has gone to the hospital to check on young master. This is his room. You'll be staying here from now on. If you need anything, call me at any time." The words came with little respect. I didn't care. After an exhausting day, all I wanted was sleep. I barely glanced around the room before collapsing onto the bed. Fifteen days later. I finally met the man who was, at least on paper, my husband-Ethan Marlowe. Pack hospitals always carried an off-putting scent. Inside the VIP ward, Ethan lay motionless on the hospital bed, still unconscious. I walked over and looked down at him. I'd heard plenty about Ethan Marlowe, mostly his gossip, but had never seen him in person. Now, I finally understood why, when Alpha Charles announced he'd be arranging a match for his grandson, so many packs had flocked to the idea. It is by no means merely for establishing a covenantal relationship with the Silver blade pack. Ethan Marlowe was the most handsome man I had ever encountered. Just his face alone was pleasing to the eye—sharp, handsome, impeccably sculpted, every line of his features screaming Alpha. Even in a coma, pale and fragile, there was something unmistakably arrogant and untamed about him. He'd survived, but it seemed his legs hadn't escaped unscathed. So I wasn't a widow. I was just married to a cripple. And honestly? I could live with that. It beat being sold off by My selfish father to some notorious packs which had often abused omega and slaves. My wolf snarled unconsciously. I was left to watch over Ethan. That was when Ethan's fingers twitched, and his eyes flew open. His first reaction was pure disgust. "Get the hll away from me!" Ethan lashed out with all the strength he had left. Pain shot through my arm. My wolf growled low in my chest. So the rumors were true. His temper was vicious. "Want some water?" I rolled my eyes. I should start adapting to being a wife from now on. His voice had been hoarse when he yelled. Living at Marlowe Villa these past two weeks hadn't been bad at all. No backhanded remarks from Sophia and Evelyn. No dealing with my exhausting biological mother or useless brother. So crippled or not, I planned to stick around for now. Anything was better than getting shipped off by that selfish father to some disgusting packs for his benefit. I held the glass out. Ethan slapped it out of her hand. The cup hit the floor as he struggled upright, glaring at her like I was an enemy. "Who the hll are you?" "Oh. I'm Nicole," I smiled innocently. "I was your bride half a month ago." I paused, tilting my head slightly as my auburn waves spilled over my chest. "And now… I guess that makes me your wife?" The look in Ethan's eyes turned savage. Like a wild beast ready to tear me apart. Yet even as a crippled man trapped in a bed, his Alpha dominance hung in the air crushing. "What kind of trash do you think you are? You think you're worthy of being my future Luna?" He roared, his voice raw as he gripped the edge of the bed, trying to force himself up. "Get out. Get out right now!" The cup hadn't shattered. I crouched down to pick it up, then looked at him with what appeared to be gentle concern. Still groggy, Ethan had no idea what condition his legs were in. When he nearly toppled off the bed, I reacted fast, catching him before he fell. "The pack doctors said your legs might be crippled," I said gently, steadying him and guiding him back onto the mattress. "You shouldn't move too much. It could make things worse." Ethan froze. His hand shot out, gripping my r wrist tightly. "What did you just say?" "I said don't move." I repeated, and comforted anxious Athena. She gleamed coldly in the darkness of my mind. "The sentence before that!" His teeth clenched. He refused to believe it. I looked at him with soft, almost pitiful eyes. "The doctors said your legs might be crippled."

Nicole’s Pov "bullsh*t!" he snarled, the word sharp with the rough edge of a wolf’s growl. He snatched a piece of fruit from the bedside table and hurled it at me, rage flashing wild and unrestrained. The apple slammed into me fair forehead,hard enough to make my skull ring. I could already feel the skin swelling. Ethan Marlowe was always heaven’s chosen one. Every wolf in the territories knew it: absent some sudden, catastrophic turn of events, he would be the future alpha of the most powerful packs. How could he possibly bring himself to accept that he was now nothing more than a cripple? Footsteps sounded outside the ward. Alpha Charles strode in with his cane, arriving just in time to witness the scene. His face darkened on the spot."You insolent bаst3rd!" he barked. "You've barely woken up and you're already causing trouble!" Ethan's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at Alpha Charles and the rest of the Marlowe family standing behind him. He pointed straight at me, his shout ringing with the snarl of a wolf defending its claim. "Get this woman out of here! I'll marry no one but Harley! Get her out!" Every gaze in the room landed on me, some sympathetic, some entertained, some openly disdainful. Their stares cold enough to make my wolf bristle beneath my skin. I said nothing. As Alpha Charles approached, I quietly stepped to his side. I was the granddaughter-in-law personally approved by Charles himself. There was no need for words. As long as Alpha Charles didn't want to slap his own face, he would protect me. Still… Ethan's so-called devotion was almost impressive. Even now, when his legs might be ruined for life, robbing him of the strength to shift, to run, to lead a pack, his first concern wasn't his own broken body, but proving his undying loyalty to the woman he loved. Unbelievable! Alpha Charles's face turned ashen. His presence grew colder, more oppressive. He raised his cane, carved with the Marlowe pack's claw mark, and brought it down hа'rd-on Ethan's shoulder. "You useless waste of Alpha blood!" his voice a guttural snarl that made the wolves in the room flinch.. "Is there anything in that brain of yours besides that woman? Do you have any idea what state you're in right now? Both your legs are crippled! you can't even stand, let alone shift into your wolf form! What right do you have to reject anyone? To demand anything from your Alpha?" Alpha Charles turned towards me. "She is the wife I chose for you. I'd like to see who here has the authority to throw her out. And let me make this very clear: whether you want this marriage or not, it's happening." Alpha Charles’s words hit like a sledgehammer, the raw Alpha authority in them snatching the breath from the room. Ethan froze, his feral snarl dying in his throat, his body going stiff. I understand he refused to accept the truth that he will be a cripple. Standing off to the side, I watched calmly. After leaving the hospital, I went straight back to Wilson Villa of the Blood Moon Pack. The moment Alpha Lucas heard I had returned, he rushed home himself, panic written all over his face. The instant he saw me, he blurted out, "Well? Has Ethan woken up?" I’d known from the start what this was really about—he’d cut a risky bargain with Alpha Charles, promising his unwavering vote at the next Werewolf Council election, a pledge that could make or break the Blood Moon Pack’s standing in the territories. I smiled faintly and held out her hand. "Five thousand. I'll give you the inside scoop." Alpha Lucas felt his chest tighten. "Nicole," he snapped, his voice dropping into the guttural growl of an annoyed Alpha,"how did I ever end up with a daughter like you?" "You have no shame at all!" Lily cut in sharply. "Living off the Wilson family and still suking Dad dry like a leech whenever you get the chance!" Lily stared at my beauty, jealousy boiling in her chest. She hated how my features turned heads even among wolves, how my presence had a way of overshadowing hers without even trying. Lily was by far the most ordinary-looking—no striking Alpha cheekbones, no glint of wolf gold in her eyes, just a plainness that made her invisible next to her siblings, let alone me. "Oh, absolutely," I replied lazily, not even bothering to raise my eyes. "Who wouldn't love a six-figure monthly allowance? I get nothing, so of course I grab every chance to make money." I shrugged. "Earning cash with my own skills doesn't strike me as shameful. But when a woman in her twenties keeps calling everything 'shameless,' maybe she should ask herself whether the problem's psychological." I paused, then added lightly, "By the way, I've done some self-study in psychology. Want a consultation? I'm not an expert, so I charge cheap." I tilted her head toward Lily, smiling sweetly, so sweet it was almost venomous. "You!" Lily nearly exploded. I had already lost interest. "So, Dad. Do you want to know or not?" His blood pressure spiked. "I'm transferring it now!" he wolf growled. "Price just went up," I said calmly. "Ten thousand now. The extra's compensation for emotional damage caused by Lily." Lily opened her mouth to argue, but Alpha Lucas snapped, "Get lost!" Once the transfer went through, I finally spoke."Ethan's awake," I said flatly. "But his legs are crippled." Just then, Evelyn came downstairs, unable to hide her satisfaction. "So that means you married a cripple," Just then, Evelyn came downstairs, unable to hide her satisfaction, she said smugly. "Yes," I e replied coolly. "Doesn't that make you feel even better?" Evelyn 'd been quick to dump the engagement the moment she heard how serious Ethan's accident was. No matter how powerful the Marlowe family and the Silver blade pack were, a crippled man wasn't good enough for her. What a selfish woman! With that, I crossed the living room and exited through the back door. I lived in a smaller villa behind the main house, together with my mother, Eleanor, and younger brother, William. Eleanor was only one of mistresses of Alpha Lucas. The moment I stepped inside, my mom grabbed my arm. "Nicole!" Eleanor exclaimed. "I heard you married Ethan! I tried calling you, but you never answered. This is such a huge opportunity, I always thought only Lily or Evelyn stood a chance. Who knew it'd end up being you?" "He was on the brink of death yesterday," I said coolly. "Now he's crippled. Mom, do you really think this counts as good news?"

Nicole’s POV Eleanor said briskly, "You’ll be the future Luna of the wealthiest pack in the territories. As long as you hold that position, every wolf from here to the Northern Territories will bow to the Marlowes—how could they not? " I let out a soft scoff,a faint growl rumbling in my throat. "Mom, Do you think a cripple who can’t shift, can’t run, can’t lead his wolves into battle—will ever claim the Alpha title of that pack?" I added, "You shouldn't expect to gain any benefits from him either." Eleanor immediately fell silent, her expression awkward. A trace of irony flickered through my mind. Lucas and Eleanor really were made for each other too, both sharp, calculating, and equally cold-blooded. Back then, Lucas had been a scrappy, blood-poor omega wolf with no Alpha backing him,nothing but a sharp tongue and a hunger for power. He’d started dating Eleanor in middle school, when she was a beautiful, fiery she-wolf from a clan that still clung to a shred of respect. Then, he set his sights on Sophia—a rich Alpha heiress from the Wilson Pack, a family that controlled half the region’s silver mines. He married her, and rode the Wilson connection all the way to becoming Alpha Lucas. Eleanor didn’t exactly lose out either. When they broke up, she demanded a fat payout of silver and coin. When the money finally ran dry, though, she found her way back to Lucas. For them, a daughter is merely a tool to exchange benefits with. Just as I was about to go, Eleanor darted forward to block my path, her voice sharp with urgency. "Didn't William start a small company? He's tight on cash right now. You just got five million from your father, take some of it out and help your brother." "No money," I said flatly, my wolf’s indifference seeping into my voice. "Nicole, I'm not trying to take your money." She grabbed my wrist, her nails digging in like tiny claws."I'm doing this for you. The three of us rely on each other. once he’s got a name in the territories, you’ll have someone to stand with you. You won’t be alone against the Marlowes." "I'll tell you what," I cut in impatiently. "Have William come ask me himself." "You know his pride!" Eleanor protested,her voice cracking with frustration. "He's a werewolf-man, how could he bring himself to ask his sister for money?" I let out a short, mocking laugh."Mom, you really think running the money through you makes it any less of a handout? He's got sky-high pride and zero real ability. He wants my money but looks down on me at the same time." "Rather than wait for him to succeed, if he ever does,I'd be better off stashing this money in the pack bank in the bank and collecting interest." Eleanor clutched her stomach, her face twisting with rage, and screamed."Nicole, you cold-hearted monster!! Why did I ever give birth to you!" Mom, I'd rather you had never given birth to me. ***** When I returned to Marlowe Villa, servants were unloading medical equipment from a truck, and a wheelchair built to support a wolf’s shifting weight,piece by piece. "Mr. Ethan refuses to stay in the pack hospital," Mark explained, "Alpha Charles ordered a private infirmary set up in the villa. No pack healers he doesn’t trust." That meant I'd be seeing Ethan every day. "Mark," I asked hesitantly, "now that Ethan's back… am I still sleeping in his bedroom?" After all, he’d already thrown a feral fit over the forced mating bond at the hospital. If he found me in his space where his Alpha scent still lingered thick on the pillows, he’d probably think his den had been defiled by an unwanted mate. "Of course, Mrs. Marlowe," Mark replied. "As long as Alpha Charles hasn't said otherwise, you can stay there without worry." I smiled but said nothing.My wolf snarled, restless beneath my skin. Sharing a room with a wounded, angry future Alpha was a recipe for disaster. How could anyone relax? He must hate me by now. Men like him, raised to be perfect, prideful Alphas, saw anyone who ruined their ideal mating as an enemy to their legacy. Overthinking never solved anything. When problems came, I’d handle it. Three days passed in a blink. That morning, I heard an unusual commotion outside. Alpha Charles hated noise; the Marlowe staff were trained to move like ghosts. I opened the window, and there he was: Ethan, home at last. He was wheeled in, his head drooping, his body slumped like a wolf who’d lost its pack. Compared to the snarling, fire-eyed man who’d thrown an apple at me in the hospital, he looked completely hollow. In three days, all the light had drained from his eyes. No more golden Alpha glint. His beard had grown out, his skin pale, and he reeked of defeat. So the favored son had finally accepted the truth: his legs were crippled, and he’d never shift into his wolf form again. I sat quietly on the sofa in the corner,letting the healers and guards settle him in the infirmary. I checked my phone, and messages from Emma, my best friend, a Red Claw she-wolf with a temper like a wildfire, flooded my screen. Emma: What the hll happened? I go on one business trip and you're married! Emma: Wasn’t this Evelyn’s bond? Why did you get stuck with the crippled Alpha? Emma: They're obviously bullying you, aren't they? Emma: Faye’s already on her way back with her claw sharpeners. We’re gonna tear Evelyn apart. I quickly typed back, fingers flying. I sent message back: No need. It's not really Evelyn's fault. Besides, I didn't lose out. Emma replied instantly, her suspicion practically jumping off the screen: Be honest with me. You took the money again, didn't you? I went radio silent for a long while.

Nicole’s pov Mark had already stepped forward, his posture deferential, the quiet deference of a loyal pack servant to their Luna although I was not yet their Luna. "Mrs. Marlowe," he said gently, "we'll be counting on you to take good care of young master. Since waking, his wolf has been frayed. If he behaves aggressively at times, I hope you'll be understanding." "I understand," replied with cool politeness. The subtext hung thick in the air, as heavy as unspoken pack law: Ethan’s rage would be unrelenting, and I was to bear it, no complaints. Once the servants finished settling Ethan in and filed out one by one, only I remained in the room. So this was their game, no pretense left: I was not a Luna, not a mate, just a caretaker for their broken Alpha heir. I glanced at Ethan, slumped in his wheelchair like a half-dead man, drained and defeated. I stepped out of the bathroom. Ethan hadn't moved an inch. He sat hunched in his wheelchair by the floor-to-ceiling window, like a wolf felled by a hunter’s trap, his spirit drained, his Alpha fire snuffed out.The room was eerily quiet, stripped of the low hum of a wolf’s heartbeat. Figuring we had be stuck together for a long time, I decided to break the silence, clumsy as it was. "Well, "I said, my voice flat, no softness to cushion the blow, "your legs don’t shift anymore, but life goes on." I meant no harm. I’d never been good at comforting wolves,let alone broken future Alphas who’d lost their ability to run. Ethan finally lifted his head. His eyes were cold as the northern snows as they locked onto her, and he spat out the only word he'd spoken in days, "Get out." I turned and left without argument, my h**s swaying as I walked down the hall. Not long after, I came back carrying a plate of fruit: ripe blackberries, crisp apples, sweet wild plums. I stopped in front of him, smiling sweetly. "Sorry," I said, leaning against the desk. "Alpha Charles didn't arrange another room for me. Even if I wanted to leave, there's really nowhere to go." The fruit wasn't for him. I set the plate on the desk, sat down, and started eating while flipping through a book, letting the silence wrap around us again. Strangely quiet. Strangely peaceful! For now, at least. No snarls, no rage, just two wolves trapped in a den, each in their own cage. After an hour or two, I leaned back in her chair, letting her thoughts drift. Honestly, Ethan was lucky. That crash had been brutal enough to kill most wolves on impact. He’d survived. He’d just lost the use of his legs, lost the ability to shift into his massive, powerful wolf form. And that sharp, striking face of his Alpha features, carved by the Moon Goddess hadn’t been marred at all. When lunchtime came, the servants brought in the meal on a silver platter. I’d never once eaten at the Marlowe family table, the massive oak slab in the great hall carved with the clan’s wolf sigil. Mark had claimed Alpha Charles preferred quiet meals, disliked company. The truth was simpler than any lie. I was an outsider, a wolf not of their blood, not worthy of their table, not worthy of their pack. Not that I cared. Solitude was safer than the false warmth of a clan that never truly accepted me. Mark came in person, he lowered his voice. "Mrs. Marlowe, could you step outside with me for a moment?" Once they were in the hallway, he asked quietly, "How has the young master been this morning? His wolf has it calmed at all?" "He hasn't moved," I answered flatly. "Same position he was in when they brought him in.His wolf’s silent." Right then, a loud crash came from the room. Something hit the floor. A wolf’s snarl tearing through his words"Get out!" Mark hurried back in, I a step behind him, my wolf stirring in alertness, not fear. The meal tray meant for Ethan had been knocked over. Food was scattered across the floor, bowls and utensils lying in a mess. "Young master!" Mark began, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Get out!" Ethan snapped, his face livid. his knuckles white as he gripped the wheelchair’s armrests. "All of you. Now." I glanced at the food scattered across the floor. my l**s twitching with indifference. Tending to his wounds was one thing—cleaning up his tantrums was not my duty. He’d made the mess; let him sit in it. Maybe the stench of cold, greasy meat would cool his Alpha rage. After eating, I took a afternoon nap. When I woke up, Ethan was still in the exact same position, unchanged.His wolf still silent. When I came back upstairs, I noticed a young man I didn't recognize standing by the door, clearly about to go in. The moment he saw me, a flicker of surprise and admiration crossed his eyes, the standard reaction I was used to. Over the years, only one man had ever reacted differently to my face. "You must be Ethan's mate," Benjamin said, pulling his gaze back and offering a polished, courteous smile. "I'm Benjamin. Ethan is my cousin." "Oh. I am Nicole. I shook his hand, my smile cool and brief. "Nice to meet you!"I stepped back to the doorway. This was the first time I’d met any Marlowe kin besides Alpha Charles, any of Ethan’s blood, the wolves who made up the core of the Marlowe pack. "I came to see Ethan," Benjamin said, his expression tinged with practiced regret. "After the accident, this must be hа'rd-on him." "He probably doesn't want visitors," I replied calmly. I knew Alpha pride. How a wolf like Ethan would hate being seen like this: broken, bound to a wheelchair, his Alpha power diminished. He’d rather face a rogue pack alone than let his kin see his weakness. "I'll only say a few words. I won't stay long." Benjamin's tone was gentle, but unmistakably firm. "We’re blood. Pack. If I didn’t come to show concern, I wouldn’t be a true Marlowe. It’s our duty."

Ethan’s pov "Ethan," Benjamin said softly, his concern sounding sincere while every word cut deep. "Word spread about your legs. I came to see if the pack’s golden heir still breathes." "Are you here to see me," I murmured, my throat rough from disuse, "or to enjoy the spectacle?" Benjamin must have come to see if I was really a cripple. He has always wanted to compete with me for the position of Alpha's successor in the past. Now I was just a wolf who couldn’t stand on his own four paws A low, humorless chuckle rumbled in Benjamin’s chest. "Brothers don’t gawk at brothers. I was afraid this might be too much for you. He paused, and I could feel his eyes raking over my immobile form, cold as a winter wind."Even if you're… disabled now......." Every word scraped against my nerves. "Benjamin." I said finally, after a silence thick enough to choke on. Benjamin paused. "A strong wolf doesn’t weaken because his paws are injured" I said quietly . "And trash doesn't turn into gold. You get that, right?" The smile vanished instantly. Benjamin's face flushed, his composure shattering. He darted a glance toward the door, ensuring no pack members lingered to witness, and then strode forward, his hand snapping out to grab me by the collar of my thin shirt. The fabric strained against his grip, and I could smell the iron of his rising temper. "What the hll are you so smug about?" he hissed, and his face inches from mine."You think you were strong? The only reason you ever got away with acting superior was because Grandpa turned a blind eye to your flaws! You were never half the wolf I am.You just had favor!" "If you were really that impressive," Benjamin sneered, "why did Harley never choose you?" He added, "You don’t deserve the Alpha’s mark—you don’t even deserve to be called a wolf. You risked your life for a she-wolf’s affection, nearly died, and ended up with two useless legs. What kind of strong wolf is that?" After venting it all out, Benjamin let go and straightened, looking down at Ethan with cold detachment. "Why am I even wasting my breath on you? You’ll never stand again, never shift into your beast without collapsing." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a menacing growl. "I should be the one pitying you. A wolf who can’t run, can’t fight, can’t hunt… you’re nothing but dead weight." He turned and left. I stared at the door, my hands curling into fists. Nicole’s pov I shut the door after Benjamin left. "That cousin of yours," I said casually to Ethan, "Fake as a rogue’s loyalty. All polite on the surface, but his eyes keep wandering where they shouldn't." Ethan didn't respond,staying rooted in the same spot. Night fell. A servant brought in dinner. Just like before, Ethan knocked the tray straight onto the floor. Bad-tempered. Stubborn to the bone. Nicole sighed and then said to the servant, "Could you clean this up?" "Yes, Mrs. Marlowe."The mess was cleared out quickly. I took a shower, brought a book to bed, and read for a while. Before I knew it, it was already ten. I glanced at Ethan, still sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window. Impressive stamina, I thought. Sitting there all day without moving. With willpower like that, he could've made it in anything.Well, almost anything. He'd still failed to get his precious first love. Was he planning to sit there all night? "Ethan," she called. No reaction. Completely ignored. I twirled a curl that fell to my chest and switched to the syrupy voice I used on livestreams. "Ethan… honey?" The vein at his temple b****d instantly. "Say that again," he said coldly, "and I'll strangle you." "You don't respond when I call your name, but that gets a reaction?" I leaned into the fake sweetness, lacing it with flirtation. "Hard not to think you're doing it on purpose." I said"Are you planning to sleep in that wheelchair tonight? If you want, I can help move you to the bed. I'll take the couch." "Mind your own business," Ethan snapped. And that was that. I shrugged, turned off the lights, and went to sleep. Hey, his choice. If he won't get into bed, that's on him. Sometime after midnight, I half-woke to the sound of someone speaking softly. It seemed to be coming from the window. Ethan held his phone, dialing a number engraved deep in his memory. After a few rings, the call connected. "Hello, Ethan…" Harley's voice was gentle, careful, as if she were afraid someone might overhear. "Why are you calling so suddenly?" "Harley… something happened," Ethan said, forcing his voice steady. Harley said gently, "What is it? You can tell me." 'My legs are ruined.' Ethan thought inwardly. His l**s moved, but no sound came out. The words refused to leave his throat. Just as he was about to speak, the woman on the other end of the line suddenly lowered her voice, anxious. "Ethan, I'm sorry, I have to hang up," she said softly, panic creeping in. "My brother Eric is calling me. He's not in a good state right now. I can't let him know I'm still in t***h with you." The call ended abruptly. The light in Ethan's eyes vanished in an instant, like the stars had all fallen at once, leaving nothing but pitch-black night. He hurled the phone at the glass wall. BANG! I was startled. My chest tightened with anger. I was this close to yelling if he'd completely lost his mind. Who the hll pulled this kind of stunt in the middle of the night? I got out of bed and saw shattered phone pieces scattered across the floor. Before I could say anything, there was a knock at the door. "Mrs. Marlowe, is everything alright?" Mark had rushed over with several servants. I shook her head. "It's nothing. Ethan was in a bad mood and smashed his phone." The next morning, I took another look at Ethan. Compared to yesterday, he looked even worse. More lifeless. More hollow. Like someone who'd completely lost the will to live. A sense of dread crept in. When the servants brought in meals, Ethan didn't even knock them over anymore. He just sat there in his wheelchair, unresponsive, cut off from the world. It was like nothing mattered anymore. Even his own life. Three… four days passed. No food. No water. He wasted away before their eyes, gaunt and hollow, looking half-dead. Finally, it reached Alpha Charles. Leaning heavily on his cane, Alpha Charles stared him down. "So this is a show for me? You'd rather die than accept the marriage I arranged?" Alpha Charles continued, "I pushed you to get married, so you ran away and wrecked your car. I tell you to focus on rehab, and now you'd rather kill yourself just to spite me?" Ethan's eyes shifted slightly. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse, like air leaking from a broken bellows. "Yes." Alpha Charles clutched his chest, gasping. "You… you ungrateful bаst3rd!"

Nicole’s pov Ethan has five straight days without a single bite of food. There was no more anger; only deep concern for his grandson. Even though Ethan was no longer the most suitable successor for Alpha Charles. I received a notification from the servant that Alpha Charles would like to talk with me. He tore into her the moment I arrived, accusations flying left and right, most of them unreasonable. I didn't argue back. She waited until he finished before speaking. "Alpha Charles," I said steadily, "I'm anxious too. Ethan refusing to eat worries me just as much. I'm his wife, of course I care about him. But right now he's completely stuck in his own head. He won't even listen to you, let alone me. Still… I might have a way to try." Alpha Charles paused. "What way?" His voice remained cold, but the violence had ebbed. "To a werewolf, pride is often stronger than life itself." I said slowly, "If the concern of loved ones can’t stir his will to survive, perhaps…maybe someone he hates can. Right now, that person is me. But I won't sugarcoat it, I'll probably offend him." A man as shrewd as Charles understood immediately. "That's fine," he said coolly. "Offend him all you want. I just want results."His eyes narrowed, authority settling in like a blade. "If this doesn't work, pack your things and leave the Silver blade territory forever. Never set foot here again." A faint smile tugged at my l**s. The werewolf world had always run on equal exchange. I held his gaze steadily, neither humble nor arrogant. "Alpha Charles, if there's punishment, there should be a reward too. If I can get Ethan to give up on dying, I want to name my own prize." Alpha Charles hadn't expected me to bargain. "You’re bolder than I thought." I smiled, "The werewolves have always believed in clear rewards and punishments, haven’t you?" He fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. If you succeed, name your reward yourself." That evening, I sat cross-legged on the floor beside Ethan's wheelchair, bowl in hand, eating as she chatted casually.The smell of food drifted toward him. I acted as if I hadn't noticed. "Ethan," I said, "you haven't eaten in days. You really not hungry at all?" He didn’t respond, but his shoulders tensed slightly. I pushed, "Honestly, I'm curious. If you've got the guts to starve yourself, why not just wheel over, grab a kitchen knife, and get it over with?" I tilted head. "Or are you actually just a coward? Always talking about wanting to die, but too scared to actually do it? Afraid of dying without honor, afraid of disappointing the Alpha" The moment the words fell, I felt the air around him grow cold. Ethan slumped back in his wheelchair, stomach twisting, fingers twitching slightly. "And there's something else I've always wondered," I went on. "Why is Harley so completely unmoved by you? Pretty much everyone in the territory have heard about the things you've done for her." I added,"If I were her, I'd be touched out of my mind. We'd be married already, two kids in by now." "So why doesn't she want you?" I asked lightly. I balanced the bowl in one hand and rested her chin on the other, looking genuinely puzzled. "Is it because you're just not good enough? Or, here's another possibility, maybe she's just stringing you along. Keeping you around like a sucker, milking you for whatever she can get. And that's the woman you treasure?" Without realizing it, Ethan's hand curled into a tight fist. His breathing grew heavier, sharper. Harley was his raw nerve. Anyone who dared speak ill of her sent him straight into a rage. My eyes never left his face, watching carefully for cracks. There it was. Mention Harley, and he reacted.So I leaned in harder. "Tell me, Ethan, if she can manipulate someone as proud as you this easily, how many other guys like you do you think she's got lined up?" His expression shifted. "Oh?" I laughed openly. "So there are others?" The man who'd looked half-dead moments ago suddenly seemed to come alive, blood rushing, fury surging higher and higher. That thrill didn't last long. Just as I looked up to gauge his reaction, Ethan suddenly straightened and lunged forward, his weight crashing down on me. His eyes were bloodshot. One large hand clamped around her throat as a hoarse, animal growl ripped from his chest. "Go die," he snarled, pouring all his strength into it. This was the closest I had ever been to Ethan, his once-handsome, now-ruined face right in front of mine. And it was the closest I'd ever come to death. He wasn't holding back.I couldn't make a sound. I struggled, her hand brushing against the bowl I'd been holding. My fingers closed around the bowl. Without hesitation, I slammed it into Ethan's head. I shoved him off, flipped over, and straddled him in one swift motion.I had never been one to let things go. Just like he had moments earlier, I wrapped both hands around his n**k, and squeezed with everything I had. I leaned down, l**s brushing his ear, breath ragged. "So you really want to die that badly?" I panted. "Fine. I'll help you. This, this is what it feels like when you're about to be strangled. Feel it now?" "You're a grown wolf," I went on coldly. "What kind of problem is so insurmountable that you have to throw a tantrum about life and death? Starving yourself, don't you find that pathetic?" When death truly closed in, Ethan finally managed to slap weakly at her arm, signaling me to let go. I didn't. I was counting. He'd choked me for this long, so I'd return the favor, second for second.