2

During my recovery, Marcus completely abandoned his pack duties, leaving everything to his Beta while he cared for me at the healing center around the clock.

Even the young she-wolves at the center envied me, saying, "The Alpha treats his mate so well. He rented out the entire floor and personally prepares gourmet meals for her every day."

When I recovered enough for him to bring me home, the house was filled with my favorite moonflowers - the ones he had personally climbed the cliffs to pick for me.

His kindness during this time almost made me believe the conversation I'd overheard was just a hallucination.

"Scarlett, your body has mostly healed. There's something I need to discuss with you."

He pulled me into his embrace, his familiar scent of fresh grass lingering around me.

This used to be my favorite smell in the world.

"We found the three rogue wolves who attacked you. As the pack's Alpha, I'm hoping you can forgive them."

"They claim they drank too much wolfsbane vodka that night, which clouded their judgment. They mistook you for someone else, which is why they attacked you."

"They're willing to offer premium gemstones as compensation in exchange for your forgiveness."

"Do you think I need their compensation?"

I struggled out of his warm embrace. His arms had always been my sanctuary, but now his words sent an icy chill through my bones.

I stared at him coldly.

He rushed to explain: "Those three rogue wolves are quite pitiful. They survive by hunting alone near pack territory. Without a forgiveness letter, the Alpha Council won't spare them."

"You've mostly recovered, and as the pack's Alpha, I need to consider the unity of our community."

He pulled out a pre-prepared forgiveness agreement and pushed it toward me.

On the document, Celeste's name stood out like a burning brand.

I fell silent for a long time, remembering when I studied at another pack years ago.

Back then, when they bullied me, you brought the entire pack's Gammas to defend me. You were even willing to risk our pack's future and go to war with them.

But now, even though Celeste murdered my child and caused me to lose my wolf, you want me to forgive her.

Marcus, you've truly changed.

"I won't agree to this."

I spoke each word slowly and deliberately.

He looked stunned, then his face darkened.

"I told you, as Alpha I must consider pack unity. They were just drunk, it wasn't intentional..."

"I am your mate!"

I glared at him and shouted, venting all the rage burning inside me.

He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.

After a moment, he relaxed again.

"Maybe hearing this from me makes you think I'm taking their side."

"Fine. I'll have them come apologize to you personally."

To my shock, he actually made the phone call.

Soon, that familiar and loathsome face appeared before me.

"Celeste..."

I gritted my teeth, glaring at her with pure hatred.

My mind flashed with images of her and the others tearing my child apart.

"Scarlett..."

She dropped to her knees with a loud thud.

Instantly, tears and snot streamed down her face.

"It's all my fault. We were drunk that night and mistook you for someone else. Hurting you like this... I'm so sorry..."

"Scarlett, please forgive me..."

She knocked her head against the floor repeatedly until blood splattered across the hardwood, blooming like crimson flowers.

"Look, she's already like this. Let's just sign the forgiveness letter."

"As my mate, you should show proper grace."

Marcus chimed in from beside her.

I remained coldly silent, noticing the necklace around her neck - the one Marcus said he was sending as a gift to another pack, the one I had personally helped him choose.

The gemstone on her hand was from Marcus's private collection of precious stones.

I forced myself to look away from these things. Marcus, do you know? Your kindness these past weeks almost made me willing to forget that conversation between you and your Beta.

If she had received the punishment she deserved from the Alpha Council, I might have continued loving you deeply.

But why did you have to bring her here, in front of me...

"Scarlett, just sign it..."

Marcus's urging made me open my eyes.

Celeste clutched his pants leg, leaning against him for support.

I used to be like that too. I only needed to stand behind him, and he would solve all my problems.

But things are different now. I'm not the one behind him anymore.

The tree I used to lean on has truly died...

I bit my lip, holding back tears, and said firmly:

"I will not forgive her."