Chapter 2

On the large bed, Ruby's lace underwear was tangled with Alexander's suit.

On the wall, the only photograph of my parents was torn to shreds. Claw marks were clearly visible on the edges.

It was my only keepsake after I lost my parents in a rogue attack.

With trembling hands, I picked up the scattered pieces from the floor. Holding onto those torn faces, I collapsed to the ground. I was completely shattered. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying out loud.

Meanwhile, the splashing and laughing in the bathroom had not stopped.

I grabbed a handful of the torn pieces, stood up, and rushed to the bathroom door.

The door opened right at that moment.

Alexander walked out carrying Ruby. White steam wrapped around their bodies.

Water droplets slid down his broad chest. Ruby nestled in his arms, completely naked.

When she saw me, Ruby clapped her hands and squealed. "The wolfless freak is back!"

I glared at her. A heavy weight settled in my chest.

Before I could even speak, Alexander frowned. "Ruby is not well. I was just helping her wash up. Why are you giving her that look?"

With that, he turned and gently placed Ruby onto our bed.

He expertly dried her off and slipped a silk nightgown over her.

From behind her ears to the spaces between her fingers, he dried every spot. He even rubbed scented oil into her skin.

Ruby smirked at me, then pouted at Alexander. "You promised you would only give me baths. Right, Alex?"

Without a second thought, Alexander smiled gently. "Yes, I promised."

I gripped the torn photo tightly. A crushing wave of grief almost broke my heart.

No wonder he called for a nurse instead of carrying me back to bed when I fell in the hospital shower last week.

He always kept his exclusive promise to Ruby.

He cared so much about every promise he made to Ruby. But he completely forgot his promise to me. Ten years ago, in a drafty cabin, an Alpha who had hit rock bottom swore to the Moon Goddess to protect me with his life.

I stood behind them. My throat was dry and hoarse.

"Alexander... Please just let me go. I can't take this anymore."

The room fell completely silent.

After a long pause, Alexander leaned down to tuck Ruby under the covers. He fixed her loose hair. "Be a good girl. Go to sleep."

Then he turned around, grabbed my wrist tightly, and dragged me out of the bedroom. The burn scabs on my skin instantly cracked open. Blood soaked through my bandages.

In that split second, I saw him wince. He felt the sharp sting through our mate bond, but he forced it down.

He pulled me into his arms in the dim hallway, "Oh, Evie, you are just upset," he murmured.

"You don't mean that. I have had a long day, baby. Let's not say silly things."

I looked up at him and let out a hollow laugh. "Exhausted? Were you too busy searching the territory for me?"

Alexander avoided my gaze. "Evie, I will have someone prepare our bonding ceremony at the western border. I will only take you, not Ruby. There will not be any more accidents."

"Stop being mad, okay?"

His grip on my hand suddenly loosened. He frowned slightly, then let go as if nothing had happened.

I understood instantly.

He felt the rough silver burns on my wrist. Then he paused, his eyes quickly darting away.

I knew he did not want to look at my scars. He always avoided dealing with the reality of my broken body.

Seeing my teary eyes, a look of pity crossed his face. Just as he was about to pull me into his arms, Ruby cried out from the bedroom.

Alexander instinctively turned and rushed inside. His arm swung back and knocked me to the ground. He did not even notice.

I sat on the cold floor and let out a weak laugh.

I pulled out my phone and called the pack lawyer.

"Draft official rejection papers for me and submit them to the High Priest. Also..."

I paused. "Sell all my pack shares to Alpha Gideon at a low price."

"The Alpha of the Eclipse pack will surely love this small gift."

Through the crack in the door, I saw Alexander holding Ruby to comfort her. Finally, he laid her back onto the bed.

Under the dim wall lamp, Ruby rested her chin on his shoulder and met my gaze. A smug grin formed on her lips.

That grin was clear and cunning. It did not belong to someone with a damaged mind.

A terrifying thought flashed through my mind. I broke out in a cold sweat. If that was true...

I called over the maid on duty and lowered my voice. I asked her to pull up this month's security footage.

The maid kept her head down. "The cameras broke last week. The Alpha never had them fixed."

My heart sank. Just as I thought.

I forced down my anger and asked a different question. "Has my closet been cleaned recently? Especially the expensive dresses and jewelry."

The maid looked awkward and swallowed hard. "Ruby thought it was fun, so she threw them all into the fireplace."

Seeing my pale face, she added quickly. "The Alpha said to let Ruby burn them for fun."

The anger in my chest grew stronger. I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my skin.

I walked into the farthest guest room and locked the door. I finally fell asleep at three in the morning from extreme exhaustion.

But I had not slept for long. Suddenly, a pot of scalding liquid was poured directly over my head.

A foul, bitter smell flooded my nose. It burned so badly my scalp went numb.

I opened my eyes in pain. Ruby lunged at me. Her sharp claws scratched my face. "Bitch! This is my territory. Get out!"

The burning agony made me gasp for air.

I pushed her hard to get her away from me. Ruby fell back onto the floor.

In the very next second, before I could react, a strong pair of hands shoved me violently.

I flew backward, and the back of my head slammed hard against the stone wall.

Then I felt a warm trickle of wetness slide down my neck.