Chapter 3

It was just two words, spoken lightly, even nonchalantly, but they were enough to plunge the entire ward into a deathly silence.

"Hailey Griffin isn't really carrying your pup," I said, making each word clear. "You can investigate using whatever method you want to find out the truth. But you would never do it. Am I not right?"

Alonso took a step back and backed into the wall behind him. He was shocked.

After the shock passed, however, he frowned at me and said, "I know that you're angry at me, but you shouldn't joke about something like this. After all, you can no longer bear my pups—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Alonso suddenly bit his lips and shut his mouth. Then, he grabbed my hand and began to explain as hastily as he could.

"Grace, that's not what I meant…"

I could feel the disappointment spreading in my chest.

It was no wonder Alonso always took Hailey's side no matter what. It was all because he wanted pups of his own.

I forced myself to sit up, yet my movement was enough to trigger another violent coughing fit.

"Alonso, I don't hate you for choosing her. I only hate you because you don't even dare to admit that you have had a change of heart."

He stood there, frozen to the ground like a statue. For a brief moment, I thought that I would be able to catch a flicker of guilt, remorse, or even pain in his eyes. I thought that I would be able to see the shadow of the wolf that I used to know.

However, there was nothing.

His eyes were void of all emotion except confusion and disbelief.

A long while later, he said in a low voice, "We will discuss this again next time. I only want to know now why you fainted at the ceremony."

"I don't want to explain anything to you," I said with a shake of my head, suddenly feeling exhaustion washing over me. "I don't have much time left, and I don't want to waste any of it on you anymore."

"What do you mean by not having much time left?" Alonso suddenly exclaimed, rushing up to me and grabbing me by my shoulders. His grip was so strong that he nearly crushed my bones.

"What is the matter with you? Tell me!"

Alonso's oppressive Alpha pheromones suddenly exploded, and it made me want to throw up in response.

Just then, the ward door was pushed open again.

Hailey appeared at the door, a hand on her belly as she supported herself against the doorframe. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she looked as though a gentle breeze could easily sweep her away.

"Alonso…"

Hailey's voice was barely audible as she choked on her sobs. "My belly really hurts… The healer said that…that our pup might not make it…"

Alonso immediately released his grip on me.

I lay on the bed and looked at him, watching his gaze waver between Hailey and me. I could see the guilt and hesitation struggling in his eyes.

A while later, he straightened his body and turned toward Hailey. At that moment, I knew that he had made his choice.

He chose responsibility—or, rather, he chose the Omega whom he thought needed him the most.

"Go," I said so calmly that I almost seemed cold. "She's waiting for you."

Alonso looked at me, then at Hailey crying at the door. His lips moved like he wanted to say something, but he ultimately said nothing in the end.

He left without a backward glance, just like the last time.

The door closed softly behind him, and I could see the smug look in Hailey's eyes and the mocking smile on her lips.

Alonso's scent was still faint in the air, but it wasn't able to soothe me at all. I just hugged myself more tightly, trying to warm my own icy-cold body up even more.

Lucy came up to me and hugged me gently.

"Just cry and let it all out, Grace," she said.

I shook my head and wiped away the traces of blood from the corner of my lips.

"Tears can't save me anymore. Lucy, I want to get out of this place."

"Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere," I said, looking out the window. "In the last of my days, I want to see the other places where the moon also shines upon.

"I want to see the Southside forests, the Westside seas, the Eastside plains… I want to see what else is in the world other than the Northside snow."

Lucy went quiet for a long time. Then, she replied, "Okay. When you've recovered enough, I'll go to these places with you."

However, we weren't able to wait for that day to come.