Chapter 4

Johanna couldn't help but contemplate the situation. The Silverplume pack was undoubtedly the most prominent in the Northern Wolflands. They seemed invincible, but who knew how many dark, unspeakable secrets were hidden behind their strength?

Even the pack Alpha not only betrayed his Luna but even teamed up with the entire pack in an attempt to play her for a fool.

For the sake of their so-called glory and ensuring the survival of the pureblood lineage, they had the audacity to propose having him be the father of the pup instead. They even wanted her, the one who had been betrayed, to raise the offspring produced through his infidelity once the pup was born.

It was nothing short of them cruelly trampling all over her dignity.

Allison was now with pup. There was a unique duality to werewolves—while they were physically formidable and had extraordinary recovery rates, she-wolves were extremely weak when they were carrying a pup and required constant care from the males.

That night, Carlin didn't pretend to be locked away in the ancestral shrine like he had the past few months. Instead, he conjured up an excuse for himself. He told Johanna that since Allison was pregnant, he had to check on her. He was worried something might happen to Allison and Uriel's pup.

Johanna had long since been hurt and disillusioned by him. She no longer felt disappointed. Instead, her gaze was filled with nothing more than exhaustion and indifference.

"Got it. Go ahead. I'm tired. I'm going to sleep," she said.

She was no longer interested in seeing what Carlin and Allison got up to. They had done far too many unforgivable things already. She couldn't be bothered to care whether even more might happen tonight.

It was nearly dawn when Carlin finally returned to their room. Although he hugged her from behind as affectionately as ever, his voice was clearly laced with the huskiness of someone who had just satisfied his physical lust.

"Sorry, Jo. I ended up staying a little longer with Allison. Don't take it the wrong way. She was crying because she missed Uriel, so I had to keep her company. I tried talking to her and comforting her in the hopes of making her feel better."

Johanna could smell Allison's scent on Carlin. Feeling repulsed, she forcefully struggled out of Carlin's arms.

"Why did you come back then? You should just move into Allison's place. Since she's pregnant, she needs you to take care of her the way Uriel would've. I don't need that."

Johanna couldn't keep the anger and disgust out of her eyes.

"Why are you suddenly having a fit? Uriel died saving me, and Allison is carrying his pup. Isn't it my duty to console her in his place when she's upset?" Carlin retorted.

"Jo, do you actually think something is going on between Allison and me? If you insist on thinking that… so be it. I won't ever get involved with Allison's matters anymore. If you want me to stay away from her, I'll do as you wish. I'm going to prove my innocence to you, even if it means bearing the brunt of Mother and the elders' reprimands."

Despite saying that, he took his anger out on Johanna anyway. Shoving her aside roughly, he left in a huff, slamming the door behind him.