Chapter 3

A few days later, I was discharged from the infirmary. Samson came to pick me up.

The moment I opened the passenger-side door, I froze. Leia was already sitting there.

She gave me a saccharine smile. "Sorry about this. I get carsick easily, so Samson let me sit up front. But if it bothers you, I can move to the back. It'll just make me a little uncomfortable, that's all."

Before I could say anything, Samson reached over and gently took her hand, stopping her. "Your body's still weak. You should just sit here. Sharon wouldn't mind."

I said nothing. I simply turned away from what used to be my seat and opened the back passenger door instead.

The backseat was piled high with Leia's makeup bags and snacks. Even the seat covers had been swapped out with those of her favorite cartoon lamb design.

All that was left for me was a tiny corner to squeeze into.

She turned around and apologized in embarrassment. "Oh no, I went shopping with Samson and bought too much. The trunk couldn't fit it all, so I had to leave some in the backseat. Just be careful not to knock over my cosmetics, okay?"

Samson didn't say a word. He just looked at her with that soft, indulgent gaze.

He'd never allowed me to leave anything in his car before.

Now, it finally dawned on me that those rules only ever applied to she-wolves he didn't love. But it didn't matter anymore.

I quietly shut the door, turned away, and hailed a taxi back to my small apartment.

Once there, I donated everything I owned to the orphanage.

Then, I took out a bottle of wolfsbane I had prepared beforehand.

Without a flicker of hesitation, I opened it and downed the entire bottle.

The poison would take a little while to kick in. I lay down on the couch, waiting calmly for death to come.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Standing outside were Samson and Leia. His expression was dark, while Leia was red-eyed and tearful.

"Sharon, how long are you going to keep this up?" Samson snapped.

He stepped inside, and under the light, his expression changed when he saw my pale face. "What's wrong with you? Why do you look so sick?"

The poison was already coursing through me, slowly taking effect. My stomach churned violently, but I forced a faint smile. "I'm fine."

He looked like he wanted to ask more, but Leia's voice cut in softly. "Samson, my necklace feels loose. Could you fasten it for me?"

My eyes drifted to the necklace around her neck.

She smiled smugly. "As soon as I mentioned I liked it, Samson gave it to me without a second thought."

Samson nodded as he fastened it for her. "She liked it, so I gave it to her. You have plenty of jewelry anyway. One less won't hurt."

My mind went blank for a moment.

That necklace had been my first anniversary gift from him. It was the first luxury piece he'd given me after becoming the Alpha, the one he'd promised would symbolize his faithfulness.

He had said back then, "I'll always keep my promises. If I ever break one, you can punish me by never letting me see you again."

When had his promises become so worthless? Since when had she become the excuse for him to throw me away so easily?

Then, he handed me a bag. "I have an important banquet in a few days. Lunas are required to attend. Wear this gown."

I opened the bag, only to find the dress shredded to ribbons. There were even several needles hidden in the lining. One pricked my finger, drawing blood.

Samson's face went pale. "How did this happen?"

Leia's face blanched too, but when he wasn't looking, her eyes flicked to me in smug defiance.

"Sharon, I'm so sorry! It must've been a mix-up. The tailor must've sent the unfinished piece by mistake. I swear I didn't mean it."

Her tears fell quickly, and Samson, of course, pulled her into his arms to soothe her. "Don't cry, Leia. It's not your fault. It's just a dress. Sharon can wear something else."

Then he turned back to scold me. "Sharon, why are you so cold? Leia already apologized. Are you still mad about what happened before? As Luna, you shouldn't be so petty!"

I closed my eyes and shook my head. Inside, I felt nothing.

Between us, was it really just the dress that was torn?

"Samson, let's break our mate bond," I said.

He froze, staring at me in disbelief. "Sharon, what are you talking about? This isn't something to joke about."

I could feel the poison spread through my veins. My vision blurred, and my body felt heavy and distant.

"I'm leaving, Samson. I'm going home."

He grabbed my arm, panic breaking through his voice. "Home? You're an orphan. What home could you have to go back to? Sharon, a bond can only be broken if both sides agree to it. I'll never agree. You'll never leave me, not in this lifetime."

I let out a faint, bitter laugh as the last of my strength drained away.

Samson watched as I fell to the floor, my face drained of all color.

He suddenly snapped back to his senses and caught me before I hit the floor, his face ashen with fear.

"Sharon! What's wrong? Sharon, answer me!"

The trash can beside me toppled in the process, and the empty bottle rolled out.

He snatched it up and sniffed it. "Wolfsbane? Sharon, are you insane? You're not allowed to take your own life, you hear me?"

His voice faded, growing fainter and fainter, until it disappeared entirely.

Samson Holt, may we never see each other ever again.