“Help!”

A woman’s cry attracted the pack members around the area.

They were terrified to see two figures falling from the high cliff. They recognized the two figures - one of them was Sofia, the former’s Alpha mate, and the other was Charlotte, the current Alpha’s mate.

Both of them plunged toward the sea below the cliff. Charlotte felt the cold sea water enveloping her body, and she nearly drowned due to swallowing the seawater. Luckily, pack members began to rescue them.

Hayden, who was patrolling around the area, naturally heard the cries too. He quickly went to the scene and saw Sofia, who was bleeding profusely.

“Charlotte.. I know you are jealous of my relationship with Hayden, but there really is nothing going on between us. Why did you push me off the cliff?” Sofia's weak voice sounded before she passed out.

Hearing Sofia's words, Hayden was furious, and he looked angrily at Charlotte.

Charlotte herself had sustained injuries from her fall, her arms were scratched by the rocks on the sea, leaving a long gash, and her forehead was also knocked on a small rock, but Hayden took no notice of her.

“That pretentious Bitch! Tell them the truth, Charlotte,” Charlotte’s wolf, Lexi, growled.

“Hayden, I can explain..” Charlotte tried hard to say those words despite the pain all over her body.

Hayden sneered. “Explain? Everyone saw what had happened and heard Sofia’s words.”

“But she pushed-” Charlotte frantically tried to explain what really happened.

“Enough! If there’s something wrong with her and her baby, I’ll punish you personally,” Hayden cut her off and said harshly as he picked Sofia in his arms and ran toward the pack’s infirmary.

At that time, Charlotte knew there was no use for her to tell the truth. No one would believe her, not even her own mate.

Her heart hurt as if it was being stabbed by multiple knives, and yet she couldn't do anything about it.

This wasn't the first time she was framed by Sofia and Milla, Hayden’s younger sister. And just like today, he never asked her about what happened; he always listened to their side of the story and blamed her for everything.

Three years of being mated and married to him, she always tried her best to make Sofia and Milla happy, knowing how much they meant to Hayden, yet they kept treating her like an Omega.

Sometimes even worse. She had to serve them all the time.

Charlotte knew the reason for it. They thought she was just an orphan she-wolf and not on par with Hayden, the ruthless Alpha of the third largest pack, the Red Claw Pack. They thought she didn't deserve to be the Luna of the pack due to her background.

To be Hayden’s mate, she purposely cut ties with her family to ensure Hayden wouldn't know her real identity. She just wanted to be his mate and serve him like a good Luna.

Sometimes she thought, would it make a difference if they knew about her real background? But she didn't want them to know. She wanted Hayden to love her for her, not her as the powerful Alpha-in-line.

Because of that, she had endured every insult, humiliation, and abuse from Sofia and Milla, yet she still served them as a good sister-in-law.

She didn't tell Hayden about it as they were Hayden’s family, and she always humbled herself in front of them.

Hayden became the Red Claw Pack's Alpha when his brother died, leaving Sofia as a widow and pregnant with his child.

Charlotte was over the moon when she met him and knew he was her mate. But who would have thought that Sofia, the widow of Hayden’s late brother, was more important than Charlotte?

Ever since Hayden claimed Charlotte as his mate and married her, he seldom cared for her. Instead, he spent more time with Sofia. He was even more protective of Sofia.

Everyone could see the way he treated Sofia, and there were rumors that Hayden was in love with her.

Charlotte's mind was in a mess, and her body was drenched; her arm and forehead were bleeding.

It took her every effort just to stand up.

Luckily, Noah, the Beta of the Pack, was kind enough to help Charlotte. He supported her to go to the infirmary to treat her wounds.

“Thank you, Noah,” Charlotte said with gratitude as they walked slowly toward the infirmary.

Charlotte kept thinking if she had told Hayden of her real identity, would he believe her instead of Sofia? Should she tell him the truth?

“You need to tell him the truth,” Lexi growled to remind her. Even her wolf hated Sofia and Hayden.

But would he believe her? As Hayden said, there were many witnesses.

When Sofia jumped back from the cliff, she grabbed her hand to pull her along. But for onlookers, it looked like what Sofia had described.

Charlotte's hand was on Sofia's chest, and she had no doubt it looked like she was pushing Sophia, and Sophia was just trying not to fall when she reached for Charlotte's hand, but unfortunately, she was pulled along, and they both fell into the sea.

Charlotte had to admit that Sofia was the master of scheming.

Thinking of the blood flowing from the bottom part of Sophia’s body, Charlotte knew there might be a huge chance that she would miscarry, and this wouldn't be good for her.

“I’m going to punish you personally,” Hayden’s harsh words rang in Charlotte’s mind again.

“You still need to try to explain,” Lexi growled.

“I wanted to explain, but he didn't want to listen to me,” I told her.

“Try explaining again,” she growled.

Charlotte knew Lexi was angry with what Sofia had done.

Charlotte was hoping that her mate would believe her, but she had little doubt about it.

After staggering slowly, with the help of Noah, they finally reached the infirmary.

Before she was able to see a doctor about her wounds, she was summoned by Hayden through their mindlink, “Come straight to Sophia’s ward.”

His cold voice sent shivers down Charlotte’s spine, yet she had no courage to disobey him.

Her legs moved slowly toward Sofia’s ward, and somehow she had a foreboding feeling as she got closer to her destination.

If Hayden was always on Sofia’s side all this time, would he believe her just this once? She prayed to the Moon Goddess that he would believe her, at least just this once.

Standing in front of Sofia’s ward, Charlotte took a deep breath before pushing the door open, only to be greeted by Hayden’s cold gaze.

••• Charlotte’s POV •••

Hayden’s cold gaze froze me in my spot.

It didn't help that I was still drenched, and the cold on my body hadn't subsided.

His gaze made me feel even colder, as if I was once again submerged in icy water.

“Stay there!” he commanded harshly.

He didn't care that the blood on my arms and forehead was dripping down, tainting the white floor of the ward with red splotches of blood.

Sofia was lying on the bed looking pale and weak, and the doctor was examining her.

There were nurses, the Gamma couples, and some pack members gathered outside the ward.

I could hear the murmuring of the pack members outside the ward.

“I can't believe the Luna dared to push Sofia down the cliff.”

“Who would have thought that she was so heartless?”

“Isn't it obvious that she was jealous? The Alpha favors Sofia more than the Luna. She must’ve thought Sofia was a threat and wanted to kill her.”

Hearing their hurtful remarks and looking at the accusing gazes of everyone in the room, I felt myself going pale. I clenched my t-shirt tightly and bit my lips. It hurt..

“I’m sorry, but we couldn’t save your baby,” the doctor said after checking and putting Sofia on the drip.

The doctor’s words seemed to be like a death sentence to me.

Sofia began crying hysterically. “Why? Why must this happen to me? I’ve lost my mate, and now I lost the only gift he left me. I’ve lost our baby!”

Sofia’s wail was very heartbreaking. If I didn't know the truth, I might even be moved to tears by her performance of being a heartbroken widow who had lost her child.

“Charlotte!” Hayden’s sister, Milla, suddenly approached me and raised her hand high, giving me a slap on the cheek.

I wasn't expecting it and couldn't stop her or dodge it. My mate just looked at us coldly with no intention of stopping his sister.

“Are you happy now?” she glared at me. “You have killed her baby! You are very vicious for pushing her off the cliff! Kneel and apologize to her!”

I looked at Hayden and tried to explain, “Hayden, I can explain..”

Hayden sneered. “What can you explain? That you viciously pushed her off the cliff and jumped with her so everyone thinks that you were also a victim?”

“But she pushed herself down the cliff and pulled me along!” I tried to explain what really happened frantically.

“Do you think everyone is stupid and blind? Why would Sofia jump off the cliff when it’s dangerous for her condition?” Hayden snarled.

“But I really didn't push her!” I kept trying to defend myself and told him the truth.

“Enough!” Hayden roared, and his Alpha aura rolled off his body, making everyone, including me, cower in fear. “Stop lying and trying to slander Sofia.”

“You have killed my brother’s baby. Kneel and apologize to Sofia just like Milla had said,” he said coldly.

His words made me freeze in my spot again. Why wouldn't he believe me? Why would he believe someone else’s words but not his mate's? Was it true that he was in love with Sofia?

I didn't even want to apologize to Sofia, much less kneel. For my mate to ask me to do those two things was humiliating! And it angered me.

“I’m not going to kneel or apologize. I didn't do anything wrong,” I growled.

“If you don't kneel and apologize, I will dissolve our matebond,” he said indifferently.

I froze again. He would terminate our mateship because of Sofia?

“Bastard!” Lexi growled.

“Hayden, you are too much!” I yelled at him. “I’m the Luna of the pack, and I will never kneel in front of anyone! And no one can force me to! It’s in the pack’s rule!”

“The pack’s rules?” Hayden snorted.

I straightened my back and lifted my chin. “It’s stated that no one can force a Luna to kneel or apologize for something she didn't do!”

To my surprise, Hayden laughed.

“Charlotte, do you think, as the Luna of the pack, you can do anything freely and not apologize for your wrongdoings?” he mocked me.

“It seems to me you have been abusing your power as the Luna of the pack.”

He stood up and came to stand before me. Reaching out his hand, he pinched my chin forcefully.

“And to let you know, I was the one who made those rules, and as the maker of the rules, I am now telling you to kneel and apologize to Sofia,” he snarled.

From the corners of my eyes, I saw Milla had a gleeful expression, and Sofia had a triumphant smile.

“You believe someone else’s words rather than your mate?” I, stupidly, still thought that I could make him believe me instead of that bitch, Sofia.

“Enough, Charlotte! No matter how many times you tried to deny it, the evidence is clear. Everyone saw what you did!” He released my chin forcefully, and I staggered back a few steps from the force.

“You.. You really don't believe me?” I felt my heart turning cold. There really was no use in defending myself now.

I looked at Sofia and saw her looking weak and pitiful once again, with tears streaming down her face.

Heh, Sofia really was a good actress!

“I don't like to repeat my words, Charlotte. Kneel and apologize or I’ll break our matebond and divorce you,” Hayden said coldly.

“I will NEVER kneel or apologize for something I didn't do,” I said stubbornly and left the hospital without turning to look at Sofia, Milla, or even Hayden.

”Charlotte!” Hayden roared out my name, but I ignored him and kept walking toward the pack’s main house, where I lived with Hayden as the Alpha and Luna of the pack.

Just as I stepped into the hall, I heard the screech of a car. I turned around to see a fuming Hayden.

“Charlotte, are you still unwilling to kneel and apologize?” he asked with narrowed eyes.

“I’ve told you before. I won't kneel or apologize for something I didn't do,” I told him coldly.

“Guards!” he yelled before I could say anything further.

Two guards appeared out of nowhere and seized my arms.

“Make her kneel!” Hayden commanded.

••• Charlotte’s POV •••

My eyes widened in disbelief. I couldn't believe that Hayden would do this to his own mate.

I struggled as the guards pulled me toward the door. Once outside, they pushed down my shoulders. As a future Alpha, my strength was not ordinary. I could withstand their forces and kept standing upright.

Hayden was looking at me with cold eyes and not saying anything. Seeing that the guards could not make me kneel, he came to us and kicked the back of my knees.

I was shocked and wasn't prepared for it. My knees buckled under me, and he successfully made me kneel on the ground with his kick.

“Kneel here and think of what you have done,” he said coldly before telling the guards to ensure I kept kneeling. He then turned around and entered the house once again, slamming the door shut behind him.

The guards kept their hands on my shoulders, pushing me down and disabling me to stand up.

This was the first time in my life I felt so humiliated, and the one who humiliated me was my own mate.

I felt rage course through every nerve of my body. I couldn't believe my mate was so heartless.

“Fucking bastard,” Lexi cursed.

I agreed with her. Hayden was a fucking bastard.

The wind blowing strongly around me didn't help. I felt so cold that my body shivered until my teeth chattered. I hadn't changed from my wet clothes, and my wounds hadn't been cleaned and bandaged.

After Goddess knew how many hours of kneeling, Hayden finally came out.

“Hayden, I-” I still had hopes that he would listen to me, but his next words wiped away all my hopes.

“Have you thought about what you have done? Are you ready to apologize to Sofia?” he cut off my words coldly.

“Hayden, is this how you treat your mate?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Mate?” he laughed. “Do you think I care about you being my mate? For me, a mate is just a stepping stone to become stronger. An Alpha needs a Luna to make them and their packs stronger,” he said coldly.

I gasped and felt all my blood drained from my body. “You.. You never care about me? You never love me?”

“Love?” he sneered and looked at me as if I was a clown. “I only claimed you as my mate and married you to save the trouble of my pack not having a Luna.”

I looked at him and felt my heart breaking. Three years.. Three years of being his mate and his Luna. Three years of trying hard to be the perfect Luna for him. And that was all I was to him? A mean to save trouble and a stepping stone to become stronger?

“Are you willing to admit your mistake?” he asked impatiently.

I lifted my chin stubbornly. “NEVER!”

“Then kneel until you admit your mistake,” he spat and turned back to go into the house again.

“Alpha.” Suddenly Beta Noah appeared. “Sofia is awake, and she’s been crying non-stop.”

“What? Has the doctor seen her yet?” Hayden asked anxiously.

“She’s hysterical and did not let anyone come near her,” Beta Noah reported.

“Alright, I’ll go to the hospital now,” Hayden said.

He then turned to me and said, “Don't make any trouble anymore, or you’ll know the consequences.”

After warning me, he left in a hurry with Beta Noah. The two guards followed them as they were Hayden’s personal guards.

I let out a bitter laugh. How stupid was I to think that mates should fall in love with each other?

After hearing his words, I had no hopes for Hayden anymore. All I felt was disappointment.

I tried to stand up despite my legs being numb from kneeling for too long. I reached out and touched the walls for support and walked slowly toward our bedroom.

“Are you going to leave that bastard?” Lexi asked as I was changing my clothes.

“Yes. Is it okay with you?” I asked her. I knew severing the matebond hurt so much for me, but especially for Lexi. I didn't know how it’d affect Lexi.

“I’d rather you leave him than stay mated with him,” Lexi growled.

“Won't it affect you?” I asked.

“It will. It will hurt for a while, but I’ll manage. I want you to be happy, Charlotte,” she said.

Her words nearly made me cry. Lexi was the only one who cared for me in the three years of being married to Hayden.

“Alright, don't cry now,” she tried to comfort me. “What’s your next plan?”

“Leave here and go back to the Moon Crest Pack,” I told her and began packing my stuff.

“Good,” she said, and I could feel how proud she was of me for taking this bold action.

After I finished packing, I dragged my suitcase and went out without anyone noticing. Everyone was either busy cooking nutritious meals for Sofia in the kitchen or going to the hospital to take care of her.

How ironic, I thought. He let everyone take care of someone who wasn't his mate, while no one cared for his mate who was injured.

Looking at the starless night sky, I felt tears stinging my eyes again. Three years of trying to be his perfect mate went down the drain because of another female.

I began walking toward the pack’s border while dragging my suitcase.

The wind began to howl, and I shivered again because of the cold.

“Charlotte, don't you want to go to the hospital to get your wounds treated first?” Lexi asked anxiously.

“And meet those bitches? No, thank you,” I answered, and Lexi stopped talking.

The more I walked, the weaker I felt. My breathing became heavier, my wounds began to throb, and I felt my vision begin to blur.

“Charlotte, let’s go to the hospital first,” Lexi’s anxious voice sounded in my mind.

My body swayed, and I fell to the ground, feeling all my energy drained. I couldn't even move an inch of my body. I felt darkness start to pull me in.

What should I do?

An image popped into my mind, and I struggled mightily to open up a mindlink I hadn't used for the last three years.

“Charlotte?” a man asked in disbelief once our mindlink opened up.

“Leo... Help me... Pick me up... at... the... Red... Claw... Pack’s... border,” I said with much difficulty before succumbing to the darkness.