Chapter 3

Alexander stood there, staring at his trembling hands. When he saw me slump against the wal, panic flashed in his eyes for the first time.

"Evie, I did not mean to..."

Ruby started crying at the top of her lungs. She pointed at me from the floor. "Alex, this mean woman pushed me! It hurts so much!"

Alexander's expression hardened. He turned around, held Ruby's cheeks, and released his calming scent.

"Be a good girl, Ruby. I am here. It will not hurt."

Then he looked back at me and spat out a single word. "Apologize."

Ruby proudly raised her chin. "Did you hear that? Alex told you to apologize to me!"

I finally saw the spiteful hatred and mockery hidden in her eyes.

Her mind was not broken at all. That look was exactly the same jealous glare she gave me years ago when she clung to Alexander at the pack gathering.

She was better at playing the victim than anyone else.

That was until a massive rogue attack. Ruby claimed she took a hit from a rare wolfsbane to save him. It supposedly caused her severe mental damage.

She played her part perfectly. From then on, his attitude towards Ruby completely flipped. No matter how cruel Ruby was, he demanded I tolerate her.

But he forgot my parents died in that attack too. They sacrificed themselves to distract the rogues so Alexander and Ruby could escape. My parents were torn to pieces.

Ruby only faked losing her mind. I lost my parents forever.

And now, I was going to lose my mate too.

I stared dead into Alexander's eyes and spoke clearly. "Never."

Ruby cried even louder. "Alex, she is bullying me!"

Alexander frowned. He patiently coaxed her. "Alright, Ruby, do not cry."

"However you want to punish her, I will do it. Okay?"

He dropped his superficial gentleness. His tone was cold and hard. "Evie, this is your last chance. Apologize to Ruby."

I let out a broken sob and pulled up my sleeve. The ugly silver scar around my wrist was clear. Then I pulled open the collar of my shirt. The faded mark on my chest exposed the loss of my wolf.

I showed them all the scars I got because of him.

My eyes welled with tears. My voice trembled. "Alexander, is this not enough?"

"You want to punish me? What exactly did I do wrong?"

Alexander froze. Guilt flashed across his face.

But in the next second, he quickly looked away.

His tone turned tight. "Her mind is damaged. She has the mind of a child."

"Why do you hold a grudge against a sick person?"

"Besides, when have I ever treated you badly? You happily accepted all those pack shares and wealth as compensation."

The tears I held back for so long finally broke like a dam. They spilled over my cheeks.

Of course. It was the same old excuse.

Every time Ruby turned the whole pack against me, he used this excuse to shut me up.

Then he would hand out money like charity. It was his way of covering up her sins.

If I had not heard his conversation with the healer, I would probably still blame myself. I used to lie awake at night, thinking I was too petty and unforgiving.

Seeing me cry, Alexander let out a heavy breath. He instinctively raised his hand to wipe away my tears.

Ruby saw this and jumped onto the balcony railing. "If you do not get justice for me, I will never like you again!"

"I am going to see the Moon Goddess!"

Alexander's face instantly went pale. His voice grew tight.

"Ruby, get down now!"

His eyes grew wide with panic. "Get down! I will promise you anything!"

Ruby pointed at me viciously. "I want to ride on her back. I want to hear her bark like a filthy rogue!"

Alexander agreed without thinking. "Okay, I will make her do it. Just come down first, alright?"

Then, he turned to look at me. "Why are you still standing there? She cannot control herself. Get on the ground and play along."

I could not believe what I was hearing. My whole body trembled uncontrollably.