The Alpha King called for a meeting the moment I told him the injustice done to me by my mate

and the pack.

Now I stood before the court, hands trembling, yet my back was straight and my chin lifted with

all the dignity I could muster.

The great hall was filled… Damian stood to the left with his new lover; she remained at his side,

wearing a proud smile.

And behind them, seated with almost serene cruelty, was Damian’s mother. The woman I had

nursed through fevers and sickness, the woman I once called Mother, now refused to meet my

gaze.

The Alpha King, seated at the center of the court, his intense gaze on me; for a brief moment, his

eyes stripped the boldness from me, and it was hard to look straight at him.

“Now, Claire, say what you have to the court.” His voice thundered through the hall, and I

tightened my trembling hands.

My eyes swept to Damian, whose glare brimmed with hatred. “Why would you come to the

Alpha King, Claire? To shame me in front of everyone? To drag my name through filth?” he spat.

“You’ve already shamed yourself, Damian. Bringing another woman home from war—you’re the

disgrace,” I said flatly.

His nostrils flared. He stepped forward and raised his hand. “You pathetic whore!”

My eyes shut as his hand nearly struck me—only for the Alpha King’s voice to thunder through

the room.

“Touch her, and I swear you’ll lose everything!”

Damian froze, eyes wide, but fury still burned in him.

And in me. He’d called me a whore. I let out a bitter scoff.

“A whore? How does a virgin qualify?” I said coldly. “Did you forget I never let you touch me? I

was too shy to give myself. Thank the moon I saved it from a man like you.”

Then the woman beside him sneered, “How are we sure you’re still a virgin? He left you for six

months. You must’ve slept with someone else.”

My blood boiled. My virginity was now for public debate?

“Let her prove it!” Damian barked. “Let’s check if she cheated!”

I froze, color draining from my face.

“Yes! It must be confirmed!” his mother snapped. And my heart broke. She too?

The court grew loud, voices rising, people I had once protected now turning on me.

“Silence!” the Alpha King roared, and all fell quiet. I couldn’t lift my head. Shame pinned me.

“Whether she’s a virgin or not is none of your concern,” the Alpha King said, his voice firm. “That

is not the matter at hand, and I won’t tolerate another word against her.”

His eyes found mine. “Continue.”

“Alpha King, I am here to seek your help to break me off this bond with Alpha Damian. I would

not survive having another woman in my mating bond with him; I cannot endure the pain of his

betrayal; therefore, I request you officially break me off this.” I bowed my head at my request.

“What? How dare you reject me? You forget you have nowhere to go and no family to claim

you?” Damian roared. “Take back what you said or get thrown out of this pack!”

If not for the crowd, I might have collapsed in tears.

The Alpha King cast a cold glare at Damian. “One more word, and you’ll regret it.”

Then he turned to me, still seated on his throne. “Is this your final demand, Claire?”

“Yes, Alpha King.”

“Good.”

He shifted his gaze to Damian. “Is that the other woman beside you?”

“Yes, Alpha King,” Damian muttered in shame.

The Alpha King exhaled sharply. “Then I, Alpha King of the West Wing, sever this bond.” His voice

rang like steel. “Court dismissed.”

Everyone turned toward the doors, including Damian. His woman threw me a smirk before

following him out.

I thought it was over. I turned to leave when the Alpha King’s voice halted me.

“Not you, Claire.”

I froze.

Why would he dismiss everyone… except me?

When the doors closed, he rose and descended the steps slowly. His presence was vast, steady,

and dangerous.

“You have nowhere to go now that your mate cast you out,” he said. “And I heard you’re the last

heir of your family after the massacre. No one left... except your virginity.”

My heart jolted.

What does my virginity have to do with this… him?

“I don’t understand,” I whispered, stepping back. “Why would that matter to you?”

His mouth curled slightly. “Because I want something pure,” he said, voice low. “Someone

untouched. And you, Claire, are the last thing in this kingdom that hasn’t been claimed, used, or

corrupted.”