Chapter 4

I whimpered. "I was just cleaning the cabinet and saw a centipede in it. I was so frightened that I threw everything out. I wasn't paying attention…"

Alex's chest eventually stopped heaving, and it took him a while before he finally looked at me.

When he saw my expression turning pale with pain, he realized what he'd done and hurriedly rushed over to help me up.

"Where did you get hit? I was just too anxious just now. You also know that I usually can't control my strength in combat. I didn't shove you off on purpose. You can just hit me back!"

He helped me sit on a chair, but I turned my head away and didn't want to look at him. His pretentiousness was really disgusting.

"I just thought how precious this necklace was, and I just lost my head for a moment. Don't be angry with me," he continued.

Precious? This necklace?

If it really were precious, then how had it suddenly appeared around Mabel's neck? Could she have possibly stolen it from him instead?

Still, I knew bringing it up was useless now.

I didn't have the strength to speak, and my lower back was so sore that I couldn't even hold my upper body up, but Alex didn't notice. He just thought I was angry.

"Okay, I'll just make another new one for you. 'Out with the old and in with the new', am I right? I'll even use a gem that's better and more expensive than this one to be worthy of you!"

Out with the old and in with the new? He sure put it real nicely.

Alex pulled me into his arms, ignoring the pain in my back, and patted me to comfort me. I was forced to lean into his neck, but I could smell even the slightest trace of Mabel's disgusting scent on him.

I used to like his arms the most because they were big and warm. No matter what happened, I knew that I'd be alright and there was nothing to fear as long as he hugged me.

But now, this embrace was no longer exclusive to me. It was stained by somebody else's scent now.

He felt me sobbing and frowned, gently wiping the corners of my eyes.

"Why are you such a crybaby? You're still behaving like a little pup at your age. Don't forget that you're the future Luna of the pack, Jasna, so you can't be a crybaby."

Our eyes met, and I remembered, in a daze, that I used to be just like this—completely under his spell as long as he offered me a carrot after giving me the stick.

But now I realized it was nothing more than a tactic to placate a workhorse. He was just stringing me along, keeping me willing to do his bidding.

I steadied my emotions and sat up straight, meeting his gaze. "If you truly feel sorry, then show me with your actions. I'm done falling for your empty words!"

He paused, then chuckled and ruffled my hair.

"Alright. Fair enough. Your birthday is coming up in a couple of days. How about we throw you a grand celebration? You'll be a year older, and we can finally start thinking about having a little pup of our own!"

My heart skipped a beat. How could he have agreed so easily?

However, I didn't have time to dwell on it, so I asked, "How about tomorrow? Let's just hold the celebration tomorrow. I might not be feeling well the day after that…"

"Sure, whatever you say."

Whatever I said?

While I was still reeling, Alex answered a phone call, his expression darkening at once.

"Something's come up in the pack. I need to go handle it. You go ahead and rest. Don't wait up for me."

I watched him walk away, my expression turning cold. I'd heard Mabel's voice on the other end of the phone when he leaned in just a bit earlier.

Whatever. It didn't matter that he was lying to me anymore. I'd be gone in a day anyway.

…

The next day, a group of wolves actually arrived at the house, claiming that Alex had ordered them to set up for the birthday celebration. I nodded, watching the flurry of activity, and felt a sense of relief.

If this was my final day in the pack, perhaps it wasn't so bad to leave with a few pleasant memories after all.

But then, Mabel walked in, cradling a pup, her chin held high.

"Jasna! I'm here to help with your birthday preparations! Alex said that I should be in charge of all the pack's affairs since I'm the Luna. So, what do you think of the setup?"

With that, she gestured for some wolves to bring in several bouquets of flowers. They were bright and vivid, and almost eerily so. The moment they entered the room, I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Get out!" I shouted, covering my nose.

Suddenly, she tossed the pup onto the floor. Startled, the pup immediately unsheathed its claws and swiped at her. She collapsed to the ground, wailing and sobbing.

I was already gasping for air, my head spinning, when a sharp pain struck my abdomen. Without a word, Alex lashed out, kicking the innocent pup away with such force that the momentum sent me tumbling to the ground as well.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Jasna Wolfgang? How could you be so vicious?" he roared at me. "Mabel is dying, and you—you actually set a pup on her!

"She went out first thing this morning to pick flowers too, wanting to bring you the freshest, most beautiful ones—and this is how you trample on someone's kindness? A she-wolf as wicked as you doesn't deserve a birthday celebration at all!"

He didn't even bother to check on me. He just shot me a scathing glare from a distance, scooped Mabel up in his arms, and stormed away.

Gasping for breath, my ears began to ring with a high-pitched, persistent drone. Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I managed to send Aunt Esther a message to save me.

…

"Why don't you stay here and rest for a few days before heading off? I'm worried about you going back in this state," Aunt Esther said as she sat by the bedside, her eyes filled with deep concern.

I shook my head. I couldn't bear to stay in this place for even one more second. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was the look of disgust and loathing on Alex's face.

The next morning, Aunt Esther took me to the border, where the wolves Mom sent were already waiting for me.

The familiar scents in the air were fading and growing fainter by the moment.

I stared blankly at the chat window with Alex.

Earlier that morning, Alex had sent me a photo, showing himself carefully cradling Mabel's ankle, blowing on it with an expression of intense worry.

The scratch was nearly microscopic. It was so "serious" that if he hadn't tended to it, it would have healed completely on its own by now.

I knew for a fact that Mabel must have sent that message herself using his phone.

I let out a cold, bitter laugh, my fingers flying across the screen to type one last line before I hit send.

"Good riddance."

I never wanted to see him again—not in this lifetime, nor any other. I wanted to let this wretched eight-year chapter of my life be nothing more than a nightmare.

Only when every last trace of his scent had vanished from the air around me did I finally break down, collapsing to the ground and sobbing uncontrollably.

The very next second, the phone behind me began to ring incessantly. Alex kept calling me again and again, his caller ID flashing on the screen in a frantic, rapid-fire succession.