The alpha begged me to be his brother's substitute
Ava endures years of abuse and humiliation as a loyal servant to Alpha Arther, driven by a vow to fulfill the dying wish of Nelson, Arther's late brother who saved her from a life of trafficking and trauma.
Bound by guilt and duty, Ava sacrifices herself repeatedly-taking bullets, enduring torture, and serving as a punching bag for Arther and his sadistic mate, Bellona.
As Arther grows obsessed with Bellona, he cruelly dismisses Ava, blaming her for imagined slights and forcing her to endure public degradation.
Unbeknownst to him, Ava's loyalty stems from a sacred promise to Nelson, whose memory she cherishes through a wolf's tooth pendant and a hidden journal.
When Arther orders Ava to plan his wedding to Bellona in her hometown of Webber-a place steeped in her painful past with Nelson-she begins to unravel, clinging to the last remnants of her shattered dignity.
The truth erupts at the wedding when Bellona exposes Ava's pendant, triggering Arther's jealousy. In a desperate bid to save the pendant, Ava nearly drowns, revealing her deep bond with Nelson. Arther, consumed by rage and confusion, discovers Nelson's journal, uncovering his brother's love for Ava and her decades-long sacrifice for his safety...
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Chapter 4
The crystal dome fractured the light into a kaleidoscope of colors, casting prismatic patterns across the room.
At the center, the infinity pool mirrored the gilded chandeliers, rose petals swirling on its surface like drops of blood. Bellona teetered on twelve - centimeter crystal stilettos, her pearl - encrusted veil framing a saccharine smile as she clung to Arther's arm, gliding towards the velvet - draped stage.
I lingered at the back of the guest - filled hall, my right hand clenched around the wolf's tooth pendant.
Images of Nelson's blood - stained hand pressing the pendant into mine flashed before my eyes, overlapping with Arther's immaculate suit - clad form.
As I lifted my gaze to the stage, our eyes met.
Arther's pupils constricted, and his steps faltered ever so slightly.
Suddenly, Bellona's shrill scream pierced the air.
"What is that?!"
Her French - manicured finger, pointed accusingly at my chest. "Ava! Why are you wearing a pendant that matches Arther's?!"
The ballroom erupted into a frenzy of whispers.
Before I could utter a word in defense, Arther's alpha growl shook the air.
His eyes glowed with a feral light as he stalked down the steps.
"Restrain her!" he barked at the guards.
In one swift motion, his hand closed around my necklace, yanking it so hard that the chain snapped.
"Nothing but a worthless trinket I picked up a decade ago."
The wolf's tooth pendant spun through the air, shining moment before plummeting into the depths of the pool.
A primal howl ripped from my throat, and without a second thought, I vaulted over the ornate railing.
The icy water enveloped me like a shroud, but I barely felt the cold.
All I could think of was retrieving the last piece of Nelson.
Arther's enraged roar echoed above the surface, mingling with the shocked cries of the guests. "Leave her! Let the mutt drown!"
I thrashed through the water, my hands scraping against the pool tiles, leaving behind trails of blood.
Saltwater stung my eyes and filled my lungs, but I refused to give up.
Five excruciating hours passed before I finally dragged myself out of the pool.
Soaked to the bone, I staggered towards the cemetery, leaving a trail of water in my wake.
The moonlight cast an otherworldly glow on Nelson's tombstone.
I sank to my knees, trembling fingers tracing the contours of his photograph. "I'm sorry... I failed you."
Suddenly, the sound of pounding footsteps shattered the silence.
Arther loomed over me, his tie askew and wedding cake smeared across his jacket.
His grip on my wrist was vice - like. "Who is this man?!"
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