I inhaled shakily. “I wanted a normal wolf’s life. And Axton seemed… perfect. Strong, charming. So we decided to bounded under the Moon Oath, started a life together, until life slapped me with hard truth.”
“What happened that change your mind?” Mother asked gently.
“Everything.” My voice trembled. “He’s been bedding his Beta assistant for months. And that’s not even the worst—” I swallowed. “Two years ago, when I became pregnant… he pushed me into ending the pregnancy. Said it wasn’t the right choice. And all along, he was already betraying me.”
Father surged to his feet, fury rippling off him like crackling magic. He pulled out his communicator. “That mongrel! I’ll have him and that she-wolf erased from the map by dawn.”
“No.” I rose, shoulders squared, something ancient awakening inside me. “I left the Rustpire Pack for him. That was my choice. My big mistake.”
My voice sharpened like a blade. “So I’ll handle this myself. And this time—” A cold smile curved my lips. “I’ll deal with them as Isolde Rustpire. Not Isolde of Axton’s pack.”
Father paused. Looked at me. And something shifted—recognition, pride, acceptance of the heir standing before him. He lowered the communicator.