Chapter 1

"You'll regret this. The hundredth time, you'll truly regret it."

When I said those words, there was still a flicker of light left in my eyes.

I was the orphan of the Moon's Edge Pack's bravest warrior. The fated mate of the Alpha heir. The most beloved sister of the Protector leader.

I should have had the strongest foundation in this world.

But then an omega named Jasmine appeared. And everything collapsed.

The credit for saving them was stolen. She staged her own framing.

Leo and Ethan—every time, they chose to believe Jasmine.

My hair was cut off. I was humiliated in public.

I counted in my heart. From one to ninety-nine.

In the Darkmoon Forest, I lay in a pool of blood. No one looked back.

The hundredth time.

I died.

When the truth finally came to light, when a strange she-wolf named Nera appeared before them with absolute dominance.

It was already too late.

Casey POV

In the Dark Moon Forest, towering pines blocked out the sunlight, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere.

I placed the wildflowers I'd picked before the memorial altar where my parents' ashes had been scattered, feeling warmth rise in my eyes.

My parents were the Moon's Edge Pack's bravest warriors, both killed in battle during a Rogue attack.

From that moment on, I vowed to carry on their legacy and become the strongest female warrior in the pack.

I touched the acceptance letter in my pocket from North America's top werewolf training camp, finally feeling a weight lift from my heart.

"Dad, Mom, I did it. I'll carry on your honor."

I whispered to the wind.

I'd worked so hard to get into that elite-only training camp. But I had to keep it a secret from my brother and Ethan.

When I got back to the Pack house, the living room, usually so quiet, felt unusually tense.

My brother Leo, the pack's border patrol leader, and my mate Ethan, heir to the Moon's Edge Pack Alpha.

Both sat on the couch with dark expressions.

Meanwhile, Jasmin stood to the side with her hair cut into a jagged, uneven mess, sobbing pitifully.

"Alpha, Leo, don't blame Casey. I know she didn't mean to cut my hair like this. It's all my fault for making her angry." Jasmin looked utterly aggrieved, tears streaming down her face as she made her accusation.

Hearing this, the fury in Ethan's deep eyes intensified.

"You don't need to make excuses for her. Leo and I know her spoiled temper better than anyone!"

"I've been too lenient with her! Don't worry, Jasmin, we'll get you justice today."

Leo chimed in, then turned his cold gaze on me with a stern tone. "Casey, look at what you've done! Apologize to Jasmin right now!"

Seeing the flash of triumph in Jasmin's eyes as she lowered her head, I kept my face expressionless and said nothing.

I'd been training near the Dark Moon Forest these past few days and hadn't even seen Jasmin. How could I have cut her hair?

This was just another one of her self-staged frame-ups.

But I didn't explain.

Because I knew that no matter how clumsy the lie, as long as it came from Jasmin's mouth, Leo and Ethan would believe it without question.

Seeing my lack of response, Leo's anger grew.

"You've really become lawless! Ethan, hold her down!"

I looked at them in disbelief.

Before I could react, Ethan had already strode forward, clamping down on my arms and pinning me in place.

And Leo picked up a pair of sharp scissors and mercilessly grabbed my waist-length hair, cutting it off with a "snip."

Watching the strands of black hair fall, my heart suddenly ached.

I remembered when I was little, how Leo would clumsily braid my hair with a comb.

I remembered at my eighteenth birthday Mating Ball, how Ethan had gently stroked my long hair. He had loved it.

Since my parents' sacrifice, they had been the only support in my world.

Until that brutal Rogue attack a year ago, when I fought desperately to drag their wounded bodies to safety, only to collapse from exhaustion myself.

When I woke up, this Omega named Jasmin had stolen credit for my actions and become their "savior."

After that, everything changed.

They pampered Jasmin endlessly, and despite me being Ethan's Mate, they trampled me underfoot for her sake time and time again.

My waist-length hair was completely cut away. Ethan released his grip, and Leo threw down the scissors.

They immediately turned to comfort the frightened Jasmin, taking her to the dining room.

From beginning to end, they never looked at me again.

I stared at the hair scattered on the floor and laughed bitterly.

It didn't matter.

I was about to enter the training camp anyway. Short hair would actually be more practical and convenient for training.

The next morning when I opened my door, I found Leo and Ethan waiting outside.

"Casey, you need to stop throwing these tantrums. Jasmin is our savior. You need to treat her well."

Leo said coldly.

Ethan echoed him.

"You know you're my Mate. I'm only good to her to repay a debt. Don't be jealous over something so pointless."

I'd heard these words so many times over the past year that I was sick of them.

"95."

The two exchanged glances and said in unison.

"What 95?"

I looked at them quietly, my voice as flat and lifeless as stagnant water.

"Leo, Ethan, this is the 95th time you've hurt me for Jasmin's sake. By the 100th time, you'll regret it completely!"