Chapter 4

Even though I told myself countless times that in less than seventy-two hours, I would be free, my heart still couldn't find complete peace. I tossed and turned in bed until, at one in the morning, I could bear it no longer. I threw off the covers, got up, and quietly made my way downstairs.

I had no intention of interrupting their lovemaking—confronting them like a jealous wife wasn't my style. So, I just went to the kitchen, as quietly as possible, and poured myself a glass of water.

It was then I noticed that all the servants in the Alpha's villa still hadn't returned—it seemed Lucien had ordered them to take time off.

In the deep silence of the night, a high-pitched moan came from the maid's room not far from the kitchen. "Oh… Alpha, more… please…"

Immediately, her mouth was muffled, all sound choked back into her desire-thickened throat.

Lucien's voice grew low and dangerous. "I warned you, be quiet."

"If you dare let Gaia know about us, I'll kill you."

What Irina said or did next, I couldn't hear. I only heard, seconds later, a satisfied groan rumble from Lucien's throat. It seemed Irina had once again conquered him with her sensual body.

I was curious. I told myself this was perhaps just human nature, not because I was Lucien's Mate—I convinced myself it wasn't jealousy, just normal curiosity. Before I knew it, I found myself standing outside Irina's door.

It was slightly ajar, left with a gap perfectly sized for viewing, as if someone had deliberately lured me there.

I saw Lucien leaning back on the sofa beneath the window, facing me—but his head was thrown back, his muscular chest rising and falling with the movements of the red-haired woman kneeling on the floor.

Irina first took ice into her mouth to pleasure him, then spat it out and switched to warm water, repeating the process. Lucien's deep eyes were hooded, filled with raw desire.

A wave of nausea hit me. I felt vomit rise in my throat. I couldn't watch any longer. Clinging to the last shreds of my composure, I maintained my silent steps and quickly fled back toward the stairs.

"I won't let Luna know, Alpha, I swear… even though I'm already carrying your child." Irina's intoxicated voice followed me.

I didn't make it back to my room in time. The overwhelming urge to vomit forced me to find the nearest guest room, located to the left of the stairs on the first floor. I rushed into its bathroom, collapsed before the toilet, and retched silently.

Having eaten barely anything all day, I only brought up bitter bile. Tears streamed down my face with each heave, but I dared not make a sound.

Before I left, I wanted no more discussions with Lucien, especially not about his infidelity.

Yet, they offered me no mercy. Soon, I heard Lucien's voice, still thick with desire but now softened. "Good girl… As long as you're obedient, you can have it."

"After all… Gaia lost her wolf. As a werewolf, it's already very difficult for her to conceive."

Painful tears engulfed me. I slumped onto the cold bathroom floor, hugging my knees, biting down hard on the back of my hand. I shouldn't have saved him three years ago. I shouldn't have!

I lost my wolf saving him, and now he used that to humiliate me. Uncontrollably, I thought of my little child that never got to see this world. I knew it might have been my only child.

And Lucien killed it—without even knowing he did.

Now Irina was pregnant. At the very moment my child had just died, Irina announced her pregnancy.

Lucien was letting her have it, promising her, "My words stand. As long as you keep Gaia in the dark, you and your pup will enjoy treatment no less than that of the Luna and the Alpha heir."

"Then, Alpha, may I have a mark?" Irina pleaded softly. "I beg you to mark me—it's important, for me and our pup. Luna Gaia has already lost her wolf, hasn't she? If we mark each other, she won't sense it."

I had no courage left to listen further. Mustering the last of my strength, I pushed my broken body up, clutched my aching abdomen, and staggered back to my room.

I hadn't known how I passed out on the bed. I only knew that when I woke, there was a new email on my phone.

It was from the Werewolf Alliance Council.

"Gaia Kent, your petition for forced mate dissolution has been approved. Your marriage to Lucien Blackthorne will be dissolved automatically in ten hours, and the mate bond will sever accordingly."

"We wish you forgetfulness of the past and a new beginning."

My hands clenched the phone tightly. Tears pooled in my eyes, but I didn't let them fall.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside my door. Lucien stopped and knocked.