He grabbed a fistful of my hair, his claws scraping painfully into my scalp, and slapped me over and over, each strike like a warning. The vicious blows kept coming until he shackled me in silver chains—cold, unyielding metal that burned my skin. He sold me then, like an object, to an older, solitary Omega in the village.

       It wasn’t until I was captured and tortured by a rival pack that the truth finally emerged. My stepmother, Odessa, and my supposed mate, Beta Peregrine Wolfe, had been having an affair all along. The pup she had lost wasn’t even my father’s—no, it was Peregrine’s. Their affair had been reckless, and their failure to use protection left them exposed.

       Fearful of their secret being revealed, they devised a plan—a plan to frame me for their betrayal. It was almost impressive how far they went in their deceit… if only it hadn’t come at the cost of my life. But I wouldn’t allow those traitors to get away with it this time.

       A malicious smirk twisted on my lips as I made my decision: I wasn’t going to let them dictate my actions any longer. Instead of stepping out to confront them, I orchestrated my own plan. Two hundred and fifty kilograms of fresh venison was delivered right to our doorstep—more than enough to keep them talking.

       As for work, I sent my superior, a high-ranking wolf in the pack, a terse message requesting to work from home during the moon cycle. He was a crucial part of the pack and highly valued me. Without hesitation, my request was granted.

       Everything in motion, I got out of bed leisurely, washed up, and prepared for what was to come. When my family and I sat down to eat breakfast, the doorbell rang.

       The butcher stood there, unloading the two hundred and fifty kilograms of venison, barely acknowledging us as he left in a hurry. My father, grandfather, and grandmother stood stunned, their eyes wide at the mountain of meat.

       They immediately turned to me, bombarding me with questions. With a shrug, I deflected the blame onto my boss. “The pack had trouble settling some dues by moonrise, and my boss pushed for payment. So, they decided to settle with goods instead.”

       “Being in the meat trade, my boss just turned this year’s bonus into venison for the employees to take home. We\\\'re making meatballs for the pack.”

       Grandma blinked in disbelief. “That’s got to be at least two hundred and fifty kilograms! It’ll take ages to turn this into meatballs!”

       Grandpa sighed, his patience thinning. “Well, looks like my plans to meet old packmates for a game of chess are dashed. Guess I’m stuck here today.”

       After sending the butcher off, I turned to my father. “We can’t waste this meat. Grandma and Grandpa already said so, so you’d better wash up and start working with us.”

       Grumbling under his breath about the pack\\\'s incompetence, my father reluctantly rolled up his sleeves. Within moments of chopping vegetables and herbs, beads of sweat formed on his brow.

       While the rest of the village celebrated the New Moon’s Eve with fireworks and laughter, our family worked tirelessly, turning the venison into meatballs. As the strongest wolf in the household, my father did the heavy lifting, chopping, mixing, and sweating through the morning.

       By noon, the hunger set in, and that’s when my father noticed Odessa was still absent. “It’s past twelve-thirty, and she’s still not home. What’s taking her so long out there?”

       Feigning innocence, I shrugged. “I don’t know. I called her several times this morning, but she blocked me. Maybe she’s mad at me? Why don’t you try calling her, Dad?”

       Frowning, he pulled out his phone and dialed Odessa’s number.

       “Ring… Ring… Ring…”

       He tried three times in a row, but she still didn’t answer. His frustration grew, his anger palpable as he turned toward me. “Did you two argue? Why won’t she answer?”

       “Tempest, you’re twenty-five! You’re too old for this! Stop acting like a pup and upsetting your mother!”

       I pouted and pretended to be hurt, then pulled out my phone, playing a recording of a howl.

       “You’re blaming me again, Dad? This time, it’s clearly your fault she won’t come home.” I played the recording for everyone to hear—Odessa’s voice clearly rejecting my father’s attempts to find her.

       When my father heard her words, his face turned a dark shade. Without a word, he lit a cigarette and smoked in silence, his expression grim.

       Grandpa and Grandma tried to console him, but I seized the moment to place an order for four sets of takeout from the pack’s kitchen.

       “Dad, Grandpa, Grandma…… since Mom’s not coming home and we’re stuck making meatballs, let’s just order takeout for now.”