As guards dragged Sophie's thrashing form away, the empty room swallowed me whole.
A truth—I, not Sophie, had driven Yuki into exile.
I returned to the palace, prostrating myself before the alpha king.
“I was a fool.”
“I'll bear any punishment to reverse the decree!”
The alpha king's gaze bored into me. “Ninety-nine lashes. Survive, and you may try.”
The whip cracked.
Each strike shredded skin, painted the floor crimson.
I choked back screams, counting each lash like a death knell.
When the final blow landed, I collapsed in a pool of my own blood, Yuki's name a dying whisper on my lips.
A week later, I jolted awake.
“How long until Yuki reaches Greyfield?”
The maid's answer—less than a month—sent me reeling.
Ignoring my festering wounds, I stumbled to my horse.
“Sire, you
