Chapter 1

Five years after escaping the Crimson Pack, my ex-husband called me. He said our child missed me.

My heart softened for a second. I took a private jet back to the Crimson Pack estate, wanting to take my child away.

But the moment I walked in, I saw the three of them laughing and talking in the living room.

"Jasmine was jealous because she knew I had a mate before. She insisted on bringing you back to punish you and make herself feel better."

Ethan gestured to a guard, who placed a glass of whiskey laced with wolfsbane right in front of me, ordering me to drink.

My five-year-old son, whom I hadn't seen in years, chimed in.

"You might have given birth to me, but Jasmine is my only mother. You're just a useless reject who abandoned me."

What a bunch of delusional idiots.

What the hell were they thinking?

Could they not see that I had already found my fated mate?

Seeing me stand there frozen, Jasmine slammed her glass down onto the table.

"Why is she just standing there? I thought you said this Omega of yours was obedient? That she’d do whatever you say?"

"Don't be mad, Jasmine. She’s just slow. She hasn't realized what’s happening yet."

Ethan spoke softly to her, then turned his cold gaze to me.

"Drink it."

His tone was just like five years ago—commanding and absolute.

Beside them, the child I carried for ten painful months stood up on the sofa. He pointed at me, using the exact same commanding tone as his father.

"My mom told you to drink! Didn't you hear her? Do it now!"

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"I shouldn't have come back to see you people. Just looking at you makes me want to throw up."

I pulled out my phone, wanting to call Michael, but a guard stepped forward, snatched it from my hand, and smashed it onto the ground.

The phone shattered into pieces.

"What do you think you're doing!"

I frowned, shocked by their sheer audacity.

"Jasmine said you need to stay here for a few days to be punished. Once she's happy, we'll let you leave. Don't even think about contacting the outside world."

Ethan’s voice was completely calm as he handed Jasmine a glass of juice.

He had never cared about my consent. Not five years ago, and certainly not now.

"I have a new mate, Ethan."

I looked him dead in the eye and raised my hand, showing them the ring on my ring finger.

Under the chandelier, the giant pink diamond ring sparkled brilliantly.

Ethan stared at my face for a few seconds before letting out a mocking laugh.

"Don't lie to me. Everyone knows you're just a useless little Omega breeder I threw away. Who would ever want you? You don't even have another Alpha's scent on you."

Jasmine burst into laughter.

"Stop trying to fool us with a fake ring. A pink diamond that size? I only know of one in the world, and it was bought by a mysterious billionaire. Are you trying to tell us you're with him?"

"No. My Alpha bought it for me."

Jasmine laughed even harder, pointing a finger at my face.

"You? A rejected piece of trash who already popped out a kid? Do you even listen to yourself? At least make your lies believable!"

"Drink it, Sophie. Don't make me say it again."

Ethan grabbed my wrist and forced me down onto a chair by the dining table.

"And if I don't?"

"If you make Jasmine unhappy, I will destroy your mother's grave and scatter her ashes into the river."

Ethan stared into my eyes, trying to read me.

We hadn't seen each other in five years. Yet, beneath his disdainful gaze, I actually saw a flicker of longing.

That longing was just as disgusting as he was.

"You're forcing my hand."

"You didn't care about her when she was alive. Do you really want her to have no peace in death?"

Ethan pointed at the wolfsbane-laced whiskey.

"Drink."