Chapter 4

RORY’S POV

“I will handle it. Do not worry, I’ll be there soon.”

Lucian’s voice was soft when he answered the call, and I stood silently beside the bed, listening to the tenderness he never showed me. My chest tightened as I watched him adjust his clothes and prepare to leave. Nyra became quiet inside me. Even she was tired of feeling hurt by the same person.

Lucian ended the call and picked up his coat. “Are you going to see Trixie again?” I asked.

The question left my mouth before I could stop it. I hated that I still needed an answer, even when part of me already knew the truth.

Lucian looked at me with a cold expression. “That has nothing to do with you, Rory.”

His words hurt more than I expected. I looked down, refusing to let the tears gathering in my eyes fall. I had spent years trying to become someone important to him, yet he could still make me feel like I had no place beside him.

For the last time, I gathered the courage I had left. “Why am I your mate, yet I still matter less than Trixie?”

The silence that followed was painful. Lucian did not answer. Instead, he looked away, his expression unreadable.

“You agreed to this marriage,” he said quietly. “So you knew what you were getting into.”

My chest tightened, but I refused to back down. “I agreed to marry you. I never agreed to be treated like I was nothing.”

His eyes flickered toward me.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then the phone rang again and he justed walked past me without looking back.

The next morning, Mary was sitting when I entered her room with a gentle smile. “Good morning, mother. I hope you slept well.”

She welcomed me with a warm smile. After a few moments, she realized Lucian was not nearby. “Where is my son?” she asked.

I remained quiet for a second before answering. “He left last night.”

Her expression changed immediately. She looked worried, as she reached toward my hand. “Rory, I know this is difficult. You do not have to pretend with me.”

I lowered my gaze.

I knew she understood more than she said. But I could not allow myself to fall apart in front of her. I had already cried enough.

“I am fine,” I said softly.

She looked at me carefully, but she did not force me to speak.

I took a breath and changed the subject before the conversation could return to Lucian. “Your medicine is ready, and I also adjusted the herbs slightly. It should help with your recovery.”

I watched her expression soften, and for a moment, I was grateful for the distraction. Talking about her health was easier than admitting how much Lucian’s actions continued to hurt me.

The moment I returned to the pack, I was called to the Alpha’s office. The investigators had arrived with their findings, and Lucian’s presence was also required. The moment I walked into the room, I immediately felt the tension between everyone present.

Lucian stood near the desk, with an unreadable expression. While I remained on the opposite side of the room, keeping my distance from him.

The investigator stepped forward.

His name was Kael, one of the most trusted wolves in our investigation unit. He placed a small evidence bag on the table before looking at both of us.

“Your Grace, Alpha, we have discovered something important.”

My attention was immediately drawn to him. “Based on the piece of clothing Luna Rory recovered from the attacker, we were able to trace the material and identify where it came from.”

Kael paused.

His hesitation caught my attention. “What did you find?” I asked.

He looked between Lucian and me before finally speaking. “The person connected to the attack is…”

He stopped briefly.

“It is Darius Valen.”

My expression changed.

“Valen?”

Kael nodded slowly. “Darius is Trixie’s younger brother.”

The room became silent.

I turned toward Lucian. Our eyes met, and I immediately noticed the discomfort in his expression. He looked away quickly, but I had already seen his reaction.

“What makes you believe he was involved?” I asked Kael.

The investigator took a breath before answering. “We believe your investigation into the missing Omegas may have uncovered something connected to Darius. The disappearance case has several unanswered questions, and there may be information linking him to what happened.”

My hands tightened. “What kind of information?”

“We do not have enough evidence yet, but based on his history and the timing of the attack, revenge is a possible motive.”

My anger rose. “He attacked me because I was investigating?”

Kael nodded.

“He may have wanted to stop you from discovering something. If the missing Omegas are connected to him, then harming you would have been a way to delay the investigation.”

The thought of him putting innocent wolves in danger made my blood run hot. My claws almost reacted at the thought of facing him.

I needed answers.

I wanted him to explain every missing Omega and every person who had suffered because of his actions.

“Prepare the investigation team,” I ordered. “We will look into every connection he has.”

Before Kael could respond, Lucian spoke.

“Stop.”

His voice immediately changed the atmosphere. Kael looked toward him. “Alpha?”

“There is insufficient evidence to accuse Darius Valen,” Lucian said coldly. “We will not move against another pack member based only on assumptions.”

I looked at Lucian silently.

I understood the importance of evidence and the need for caution. But something about his reaction bothered me.

The moment Trixie’s brother was mentioned, he wanted the investigation stopped.

Lucian and I stared at each other. Neither of us spoke. After a few seconds, he turned and walked out of the office.

The silence remained after he left. Kael turned to look at me. “Luna, will you stop investigating?”

I looked toward the door where Lucian had disappeared before answering.

“No.”

My voice was calm, but my anger was still burning. “I will find the missing Omegas.”

I had already lost too much and would not allow more people to suffer because powerful families wanted to hide the truth.

That night, I received new information. Darius Valen was hosting a birthday party at a private club outside the pack territory and I decided to confront him.

I left behind my disguised myself and entered the club using my own connections. My support team waited nearby, prepared to move if I needed them.

Inside, the music was loud, and the room was filled with wealthy wolves celebrating. I moved through the crowd quietly until I heard voices from a private area.

“You should be grateful we even allow you to stand here.” The sound of laughter followed immediately.

Another man spoke. “An Omega like you should remember your place.”

I slowed my steps and looked toward the source of the voices. That was when I saw him.

Darius Valen.

He was sitting comfortably with several men around him, his expression arrogant and careless. He grabbed the young Omega by the neck of his shirt and lifted him slightly while everyone around him laughed. My anger immediately rose.

The young Omega looked terrified.

The sight before me made my breathing become heavy. My claws slowly began to emerge and Nyra reacted instantly inside me. “He is hurting him.”

I tried to control my anger, but my body moved before my thoughts could calm down and my claws extended fully.