Chapter 2

My husband was a world-renowned top animal trainer, running a famous exotic zoo. Even the fiercest beasts were as docile as cats in his presence. But on the day he took our son Jeffry to visit the zoo, the lion, which was his favorite, suddenly broke out of its cage and swallowed our boy whole. In the morgue, I held my son's mutilated body and cried until I fainted, while he rushed back to the zoo overnight to soothe the frightened lion. "Bethany, the little lion is usually so well-behaved. This was just an accident. Everyone has their own destiny. I am also very sad, but the past is gone. We must look forward." It wasn't until I saw on the surveillance that he was comforting the new female manager, whispering, "Cathleen, I'm not blaming you for not reporting the broken cage on time. Everyone in the zoo faces risks of injury; Jeffry just had bad luck." In that moment, I felt the blood in my veins freeze. It turned out that the person who caused our son's death was the father he admired the most. I turned off the surveillance and donated his prized little lion to the national zoo for free. Then, I sent my son's photo to my connections in the underground network, "Make them face the consequences."

Everyone in the city of Westrington knew that Claire Harrington, the youngest daughter the Harringtons found and brought back years ago, was the fiercest woman in town. Her husband, Gavin Fulton, wasn't just the only heir to Fulton Group-he was also the most sought-after surgeon in the entire city. They pampered Claire, let her run wild, and gave her everything she ever wanted. Her older brother, Graham Harrington, had her back at the company. He once swore publicly that the company would always belong to Claire, and he was just the one making money for her. The only one who ever encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone was Nina Harrington, the "wrong heiress" raised in Claire's place. Nina told her to be independent, to stop relying on others. Claire laughed it off, thinking Nina was just overthinking everything. Until the news hit-Nina had been stabbed in the Harrington Group underground garage. Claire rushed to call the one person she trusted most-Gavin. But the reply from the hospital shattered her. Gavin was in surgery... saving the man who'd attacked Nina. Even her brother Graham redirected all available medical staff to ensure the attacker survived. Claire screamed. She begged. She dropped to her knees, pleading with them to save her sister. But Graham simply ordered someone to restrain her. "Claire, calm down, would you? She's not even your real sister. Even if you lose her, you still have a husband and a brother who love you. But Marissa... she's different. And that man we're saving, he raised Marissa for over twenty years!"

In my fifth year as his Luna, I remained a virgin. Yet after my sister, married for three years without a child, was sent back to the tribe, Phillip Elliott suddenly suggested having a pup. My wolf always sensed his coldness. After deep thought, I decided to have a serious talk with him, but I overheard him speaking with his Beta. "Rosalyn injured herself saving me and can never bear pups. To secure her place as Luna in that tribe, we need an heir. I can't watch her suffer. Kaitlin's womb is better suited to carry the Alpha's bloodline. Once she bears a pup for Rosalyn, I'll compensate her for life and make her the true Luna, giving her my heir." So, I was just a womb to him. My chest felt ripped apart. Fine, I'd let them have their way. I returned to my foster parents, cutting all ties with Phillip. But why did the man who never loved me beg like a madman for my return?

At seventeen, Beatrixa Watson and her neighbor Maverick Fuller tasted forbidden fruit, hiding their romance from everyone. That day, she nervously held her homework, seeking his help. Her budding affection burned too brightly. He noticed her feelings and gently coaxed her to lift her skirt. "Don't be afraid. It won't hurt," he said. Her unease and resistance melted under his charming, tender smile. After that day, whenever Beatrixa visited him next door, his voice carried a teasing warmth. "I worked so hard helping you with your problems, Bae. How about a little reward for me?" Her cheeks flushed as she agreed. When passion took over, he always kissed her forehead. "Bae, you're so good. I really like you." He promised to go public with their relationship once she got into his university. But when she arrived at his house, clutching her acceptance letter with excitement, his careless, mocking voice stopped her cold. "The only one I care about is Bailee. Beatrixa's just the neighbor girl. If Bailee hadn't been abroad as an exchange student this past year, and if Beatrixa didn't look a bit like her, I'd never have been with someone as overweight as her. Now that Bailee's back, it's time to ditch this problem."

Luna Hayes accidentally saved Liam Moretti, the heir to Ravenwood's largest mafia family. People whispered his name with fear. They said he was merciless, ruthless, a devil in business... and even worse in bed. Yet this very man would kneel to help Luna put on her heels, afraid to hurt her. In bed, he was always gentle with her-so much so that he kept a sex slave just to satisfy his darker desires. But everything changed the moment Liam decided to let that slave carry his child.

For ten years I planned our dream wedding-over and over-while my CEO fiancé Kody Morgan found ways to miss every single one. Ever since Tonya Buckley, his childhood sweetheart, returned to the country, my wedding had become a ticking time bomb. She caused a scene on the eve of my wedding, and Kody always stood me up. This last time, Tonya cut her finger, and a few drops of blood spilled dramatically. Kody anxiously ran red lights, risking everything to rush her to the ER, insisting the doctor check her carefully. Meanwhile, I faced the guests' derisive stares and received only Kody's dismissive excuse. "Does it have to be today? We've canceled the wedding so many times already, let's reschedule for next weekend. Tonya passes out at the sight of blood, so I need to stay with her. I really hope you understand." He reminisces about their childhood bond, granting Tonya every request, while neglecting me. Actually, I didn't have to marry him. When his absence became a pattern, I chose a man who'd actually appear.