4

“What?” Declan thought he must have misheard.

Zara repeated herself ͏calmly.

Declan sneered, doubt clear on his face. “Zara, what kind of game do you think you're playing?”

“I’m not playing.”

“Declan I will move out of the way and let you and Marina be with each other. I’ve already talked to the Pack Council. I'm still in a Pack Infirmary. If you come over we can finish the mate rejection ritual.”

Before Zara could end, Declan at once got it.

A cold chuckle escaped his lips.

“I’m busy.”

He cut the call abruptly.

With a smirk, Declan moved his head. Zara’s recent actions were clearly another attempt to get his focus. The so-called mate saying no was just bait! A trick to pull him to her room.

Reject him?

He almost fell for it.

For many years, Declan had pushed Zara to break the mate tie. He was even ready to give her a part of his Alpha land money and fame, everything but his heart!

She had refused.

Then, he tried to push her instead. He clearly tagged other she-wolves when she was there, acted like he did not care about her in front of the pack leaders, and shamed her in front of friends and foes too.

Any other Luna would have broken long ago.

Zara didn’t.

At first, Declan thought she was wanting too much, seeking more might and more payment.

Only later did he see that what Zara wanted from a very start was just him.

A mocking smile curved his lips.

He could give her everything.

Except himself.

Marina and I don’t want to meet you. Take care of yourself!

After he sent the message, Declan stopped to think of her at all and went right up the stairs.

He hoped Zara would finally understand.

If she didn’t, he would order her out of the Pack Infirmary.

When Zara saw the note, she looked at the cold words on the display.

She smiled.

Although she had gotten ready in her mind, her heart still felt cold as ice.

So this was how deeply Declan distrusted her.

Five years as his Luna reduced to this.

Yet strangely, she didn’t feel shattered anymore.

Instead, there was an unfamiliar calm.

Maybe all that took place let her see the truth clearly.

In a few moments, she saw Declan had no plan to see her.

So she chose to rest and recover.

That afternoon, a nurse approached Zara carefully.

"Doc Ryan asked that you be moved to a different Pack Infirmary," the nurse said softly. "He thinks you need more good sleep. All has been set up. If you've got questions, you can talk to him straight."

Hearing Ryan’s name, Zara immediately understood.

The Pack doctor boss was Ryan’s dad. Even if Ryan was just a young healer, his words meant a lot.

It was clear Ryan was openly pushing her away.

Zara didn't want to bother a nurse. She nodded softly.

Holding the small bone piece the healer gave her before, she got up from the bed slowly.

Seeing her fight, the nurse could not help but feel sad.

“If you say no the transfer can't be made. You can also make a complaint with the Pack Healers Council. Here is the number.”

“No thanks,” Zara cut in with a weak grin.

She got the nurse's nice deed, but she also knew Ryan wouldn't do anything without Declan's say so.

Resisting would be useless.

If Declan wanted her to leave, he'd always find a way,

She gives thanks to the nurse, then goes without waiting.

Suffering from hurt, she walked out of the Pack Infirmary by herself.

Inside the VIP ward.

“What’s on your mind?” Marina asked softly.

Since Declan came back he has been quiet.

"Nothing," Declan said quickly, snapping back to real life.

He walked to her bed and fixed her coverlet.

Feeling his gentle care, Marina smiled sweetly.

The silk sheet was made by Declan to keep her wolf warm. Even the room's magic stones were͏ put just how he wanted them.

Warmth filled her heart.

Out of the blue, Marina thought about how white Zara had seemed before while standing quiet at the door.

She suppressed a smile.

Reaching out, she tried to touch Declan’s face.

Declan subtly stepped back.

Her hand froze awkwardly in midair.

He stayed calm and said, “When do you think about coming back abroad?”

A spark of letdown flashed in Marina's eyes.

One thing had always troubled her.

Declan knew all about her ways, her feelings, and what upset her but he kept away from being close.

Marina smiled and said "Anytime you want me to"

Declan stayed silent.

Marina laughed a bit. “This time I’m not going away? The one I love is here.”

She looked at him intensely.

Declan stiffened, avoiding her gaze.

"Quit fooling around," he said plainly. "I got a partner."

"But you don't care for her," Marina said softly, not waiting for him to reply. "Declan, if you ain't worried about Zara, have you thought about saying no to the bond formally?"

His eyes darkened.

An inexplicable discomfort surfaced.

He remembered Zara's words about being turned away and laughed mockingly.

“We will stop the bond,” he said coldly. “Just not at this time.”

Zara had already ruined his life once.

Now she wanted to walk away so easily?

Impossible.

She would never choose to reject him on her own.

Unless.

The accident.

The thoug͏ht struck him abruptly.

His mocking expression stiffened.

Zara’s behavior earlier had been strange.

Was she truly injured?

Had the crash affected her wolf or her mind?

Unease gripped him.

Using it as an excuse, Declan left Marina’s room.

He went back to the ground Zara said and looked for her room.

But when he entered, it was empty.

Only two nurses were cleaning up.

“Where’s the patient who was here?” Declan asked sharply.

The nurse seemed puzzled. “She’s already gone home.”

Discharged?

So her injuries weren’t serious, he thought.

Holding back a laugh, Declan felt silly for making this trip.

He turned to leave.

Then another nurse said quietly, “That patient was very unlucky. A car crash and the loss of a baby. She hardly made it. And then she was moved out right away.”

Declan froze.

His entire body went rigid.

Slowly, his head turned back.

"What did you mean?" His voice was very quiet. "A loss?"