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My mate Ethan, the pack’s Beta, orchestrated a kidnapping and cut out our son's heart to save his illegitimate son with his ex-girlfriend.

When I regained consciousness in the healing den, I found my eyes covered with bandages, leaving me in complete darkness.

My phone received an anonymous text message. Instinctively, I opened it and heard a recording:

"Beta Gray, you have already found another heart donors. Why specifically choose young Tyler? He's so young, and he's your son..."

"He was just a tool to save Lucas. I raised him all these years—taking one heart isn't too much to ask, is it?"

"Besides, the pack healer said a blood relative's heart has the smallest chance of rejection. Lucas is mine and Vivian's life. I can't bear to see him suffer even a little."

Footsteps approached outside the room. I quickly stuffed the phone under my pillow and pretended to be unconscious.

The door creaked open. The familiar scent of pine and leather told me it was Ethan before he even spoke.

Ethan entered, gently touching my forehead. His voice was ice-cold.

"Didn't you say her condition was stable? Why isn't she awake yet?"

The healer sighed, responding in a hushed tone.

"Beta Gray, your mate just underwent eye removal surgery. The post-surgical reaction is significant, and coupled with emotional distress, it's normal for her to remain unconscious..."

Ethan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"When she wakes up, you know what to say, right?"

The healer hesitated, his voice trembling slightly.

"Beta Gray, your mate just lost her son, and now you've taken her eyes for Miss Reed... Isn't this too cruel? What if she can't handle it..."

"Silence!" Ethan interrupted harshly, slamming his fist against something—probably the wall.

"Vivian admires Serena's silver eyes, thinks they're beautiful. What's wrong with giving them to her? Even if Serena goes blind, I'll take care of her for the rest of her life. She's my mate; she should understand me."

His words made my blood run cold. My eyes? He had taken my eyes?

"Besides, I've already promised Vivian. I can't disappoint her."

Ethan paused, then added in a softer tone, "Serena can't handle pain. Give her more painkillers. Don't let her suffer."

The false concern in his voice made me want to retch. All these years, I thought he knew me, cared for me.

Just then, an assistant hurriedly entered, whispering something in Ethan's ear.

Ethan's expression changed instantly. He stood up, "Healer, come with me."

With that, he left the room without looking back.

Only I remained in the room. The ticking of medical equipment sounded particularly harsh.

My tears flowed silently, soaking into the bandages around my eyes. Each drop burned like fire.

So my son's death wasn't an accident but orchestrated by Ethan.

To save his illegitimate son, he not only took my son's life but also wanted to remove my eyes to please his mistress!

My poor Tyler was only six years old. His laughter still echoed in my mind. Just yesterday, he'd been playing with his toys, telling me he wanted to be a strong warrior like his father.

He should have had a beautiful life ahead, but instead, his heart was cruelly taken...

As the medication wore off, I felt intense pain spreading through my body.

I closed my eyes, allowing the pain to consume me.

When I woke again, I sensed a presence beside me. Ethan was sitting by the bed. I could smell whiskey on his breath and Vivian's perfume on his clothes.

"Serena, you're finally awake! Thank the Moon Goddess!"

"It's all my fault for not protecting you and Tyler. I've already lost Tyler; I can't lose you too..." He choked up, as if fighting tears.

I raised my hand, touching the bandages covering my eyes.

Ethan immediately grabbed my hand, his grip too tight. His voice was panicked.

"Don't touch... you just had surgery; you need to rest." He gently placed my hand back down on the bed, patting it as if I were a child.

"What happened to me?" I asked, pretending not to know.

Ethan was silent for several seconds before speaking with difficulty.

"When you fell from the cliff, your eyes suffered severe trauma... We had to remove them..."

He held my hand, his voice shaking.

"Serena, don't be afraid. Medicine is so advanced now. I'll definitely get you artificial eyes, and even if that doesn't work, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life..."

I turned my head, my voice hoarse.

"Where's Tyler? I want to see him..."

Ethan lowered his head, his voice choked.

"Tyler has been laid to rest... I'm sorry, Serena. I was useless and let those kidnappers succeed."

"But don't worry, the pack enforcers have caught them. They'll spend the rest of their lives in the silver prison!"

I bit my lip, laughing coldly inside. The taste of blood filled my mouth.

After all these years of marriage, I never realized how naturally Ethan could lie.

I stared at him, and though I couldn't see, I could sense his unease.

He stood up, opened the cabinet, and brought out a bowl of soup.

"Serena, I bought seafood stew specially for you. Try some..."

I shook my head. "No need. I'm allergic."

Seafood stew was Vivian's favorite, but I was allergic. Ethan never remembered this, assuming I liked it too.

In all our years of marriage, he never truly understood me. Not my preferences, not my fears, not my dreams.

Ethan paused. I could almost see his fake smile faltering.

"I didn't think it through. I'll get you something else."

With that, he hurriedly left the room.

My phone vibrated once more—another anonymous message.

I fumbled to open it, fingers shaking so badly I nearly dropped the device. This time, it was a new audio recording: Ethan and Vivian in bed together.

Their passionate moans filled my ears, making my stomach churn with disgust.