---- The words escaped my lips like a final breath-as if 1 had nothing left to give. But David didn't believe me. His voice was low, cold, and cruel: "Tf not you, then who? I gave you a chance. You didn't take it." He turned to the guards. "Take a photo of her pathetic face. Send it to Amy. When Amy says she's calmed down-then pull her up." Thad no idea how long I was left hanging there. All I knew was the pounding of my heart and the nausea twisting my gut. My wolf vomited again and again, her breathing shallow and erratic. Just before I lost consciousness, I looked up-only to see David gently kissing the tie Amy had gifted him. When I woke again, I was lying on a cold concrete floor. My wolf trembled beneath me, but at least we were ---- grounded. But the torment wasn't over. David returned, more furious than ever. Before I could speak, his wolf kicked mine hard in the chest. Blood spilled from my lips. Still unsatisfied, he grabbed my collar and slapped me -twice. "May! You were the one who called my parents and told them I died in that battle, weren't you?!" "They were attacked on their way to find me! They died because of you!" "They treated you like family-and this is how you repay them?! You're a vicious she-wolf!" He didn't give me a chance to explain. He dragged me to his car and sped off, ignoring every speed limit. My wolf is particularly faint and sensitive. She howled in agony, begging him to let me go-but he didn't ---- care. At last, we arrived at the destination-the Black Pack's graveyard. Mr. and Mrs. Black's tombstones stood in silence before me. David forced me to kneel. Under the guards' pressure, I was made to kowtow- nine hundred and ninety-nine times. By the end, my wolf's forehead was a bloodied mess. Rivulets of blood trickled down my face- grotesque, raw, humiliating. But David didn't even flinch. He stared at me coldly. "I didn't make you pay with your life. That's already merciful." "You'll kneel here for two full days and nights-" Before he could finish, I laughed. My heart had already frozen over. "David, you believe everything Amy says. You're the biggest fool I've ever known. ---- And now? I'm just grateful I was never claimed by you." His eyes twitched. Then came another slap. "Even now, you dare talk back about Amy?!" Everything began to blur. My vision spun wildly out of control. May, I thought, you gave your heart to this mate for so many years. And for what? With the last of my strength, I looked up at David, my voice calm, empty: "David, I didn't do any of the things you accused me of. Even if you beat me to death-it wasn't me." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!