Chapter 3

My stomach turned. I covered the pup's eyes. Serena laughed at me.

"Ivy, your mother said it herself. I'm your best friend. Better I handle Damon's needs than some stranger. She's the one who pushed me to him."

I went still. Tears fell whether I wanted them or not. I couldn't believe it — my mother knew, and let it happen.

The three closest people in my life had all betrayed me.

My hands shook. Pain dropped through my abdomen.

Something warm leaked between my legs. The sharp smell filled the room.

The postpartum bleeding was hard to control. I burned with shame.

Serena covered her nose, disgusted.

"Ivy, don't tell me you just wet yourself!"

Damon frowned and stopped. He pulled on a shirt and walked toward me.

When the cloud of his cologne hit me, I shoved him hard.

I dropped to my knees and threw up on the floor.

The pup screamed.

Damon's face went black.

"Ivy. I haven't called you filthy yet. What do you think you're disgusted by?"

I wiped my mouth hard and looked at him like he was already a corpse.

He flinched, then gritted his teeth into a twisted smile.

"Fine. Ivy. You asked for this. I gave you a chance."

"You're the one who threw me away first."

He pulled out his phone, face dark.

"Transfer every share Ivy's father holds in Fairfax Pack to Serena's name. And the den — the inherited house from her mother — put it up for public auction."

Serena's eyes lit up. "Damon, really? You're giving me all of this?"

What I heard killed me. A huge, crushing hopelessness gripped my throat.

I wanted to scream curses at him, but every time I thought about the pup the words stuck like cotton in my mouth.

Damon saw my face and smiled mockingly.

"Ivy. When you abandoned me in the Dead Lands, when those Rogues were breaking me — this is how it felt."

"It's only been a few days. You'll feel it for the rest of your life."

I lowered my head. My eyes stayed on my shoes.

So that was it.

Now I understood why Damon had spent five years building this lie.

Because he couldn't let it go. He hated me. He wanted revenge.

He wanted to cradle me in his hand, then slam me into hell.

I looked up and smiled like a lamb.

"Damon. You're such a fool."

His brows drew together. His anger twisted into a grin.

"Still running your mouth?"

"The one who saved you back then — it wasn't her—" My eyes sharpened. The truth was on my tongue.

Serena suddenly shrieked and pointed at the pup.

"The pup just passed out! Ivy, what did you do to him!"

Damon snatched the pup out of my arms.

He pulled back the blanket. Foam was coming out of the pup's mouth. His cheeks were red and swollen.

"He's burning up! Ivy — are you trying to kill him!"

Damon felt the pup's forehead and rounded on me.

My heart shot into my throat.

I tried to take the pup back. Damon wouldn't let go.

"Damon! I have baby fever medicine in my bag — give it to him now!"

Serena charged forward and slapped me across the face.

"Ivy. He's my pup now. Are you trying to kill him!"

Damon gave me a cold look, lifted the pup, and walked out.

I stood frozen, watching him go. Serena leaned in close to my ear.

"Ivy. Don't you worry. I'll make sure your son dies slow."

Hatred flooded my eyes.

I grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the wall.

A dull thud. Serena's eyes rolled back. She smiled faintly as she went out.

Damon whipped around.

"Ivy! Who said you could hurt her!"

He kicked me to the floor, scooped up Serena, and walked out.

I shook all over. I grabbed the pup, who'd been dropped on the floor, and ran for the Pack Healer.

One step. Something yanked my collar. Pain exploded at the back of my skull.

Black took over. I went under.

When I came to, my limbs were locked in iron chains. Four or five large men with brutal faces were pawing at my body.

"This one's got a body on her. Good day for us, brothers!"

"Boss, you brought her in. Don't forget to pass her around after you're done!"

My head was swimming. I bit my tongue to force myself sharp and shouted out.

"Damon! I know you're here! Come out!"

Behind a clear white barrier, two figures appeared. A familiar voice came through.

"Ivy. You gave Serena a concussion. You think this ends there?"

Tears blurred my sight.

"Damon. You'd let a liar get me killed?"

"Enough!" His voice iced. "Ivy, these are my men. They're scaring you. Teaching you a lesson. Letting you taste what I went through!"

"Serena is innocent. She saved me. I won't let you spread lies about her!"

I tilted my head back and laughed. My laugh broke apart.

Damon — if you knew the truth, would you still hate me this much?

One of the men grabbed my throat.

"Little bitch, so fiery. You better show me a good time."

I held still, thinking it was a scare.

But their hands got rougher. They tore at my clothes. One of them grabbed at my face. Another reached for my chest.

Cold sweat broke all down my back. My eyes went wide.

No. If Damon only wanted to scare me, he wouldn't let them go this far.

I remembered the second figure behind the barrier. My heart stopped.

Serena.

These men — Serena sent them.