Chapter 5

Vivian stared at the mangled flesh in front of her, struggling to believe what she was seeing.

"Where did all these wounds come from?"

I lay weakly on the bed, every breath a fresh stab of pain.

"Do you finally believe me now? I wasn't lying."

I barely got the words out before blood loss dragged me under for the second time.

When I woke again, my wounds had been freshly dressed.

Seeing me awake, Vivian glanced at me, her expression calm.

I searched her eyes and found not a trace of guilt, not a sliver of worry.

"I didn't think an Alpha could actually get carved up this badly by rogues."

Her tone was flat, even faintly disdainful.

"I thought it over. This one is on me. I was lax with the Wastelands, and that's how the rogues got out."

"So to make it up to you, everything you did to Gavin, I'm willing to let go."

"But you still owe him an apology. Once you're discharged, I'll take you to his place, and you'll apologize to him properly."

I gave a bitter laugh. "I'm supposed to apologize to him?"

Vivian frowned, looking down her nose at me. "I know you did a good thing today, letting me go save Gavin. But that's a separate matter. You hired trolls to smear him, and I'm not letting that slide."

"As for your injuries, I'll treat you a little better from now on. Consider it compensation."

She seemed to think treating me a little better was some enormous act of grace.

And she still wanted me to apologize to Gavin.

"I don't need you to treat me better, and I will never apologize to Gavin."

My tone left no room for argument.

Vivian froze for a beat, then bellowed, "What is that supposed to mean, Jared? I'm offering you a way out. Don't push your luck."

I shook my head and smiled. "Nothing. Only that after today, you may not get another chance to see me."

Before Vivian could work out what I meant, two men in suits burst into the ward.

They flashed their Werewolf Authority credentials.

"Hello, we're with the Werewolf Authority. Which of you is Vivian Blake?"

At the sight of their badges, the arrogance on Vivian's face gave way to a flicker of fear.

Noticing something off in her expression, one of the officers stepped closer.

"You're Vivian Blake?"

Vivian's face paled, and she gave a shaky nod.

"Our investigation shows you orchestrated a raid and abused your authority to banish innocent people. Please come with us and cooperate with the investigation."

Vivian took a step back and protested loudly.

"No! That wasn't me. You've got the wrong person."

The officers ignored her protests and cuffed her on the spot.

"Whether we've got it wrong is for the investigation to decide."

Vivian struggled, shouting at me.

"Say something, Jared! Are you really going to watch them take me away?"

I spoke slowly. "I have evidence that Vivian Blake raided the village. She also abused her authority and used the pack guards for plenty of other dirty work. I'll testify to all of it."

Vivian's eyes went wide with disbelief.

"Have you lost your mind, Jared? I'm your mate! You're really going to help them destroy me?"

"You're the one who reported me to the Werewolf Authority too, aren't you? How can you be so vicious!"

If the officers hadn't been restraining her, she would have leapt up and slapped me across the face.

I lay still on the hospital bed, watching her coldly.

"Don't forget, Vivian. I'm the Alpha. I have records of every guard deployment you ever made. Just wait for the Werewolf Authority's judgment."

"The mate bond severance agreement is already drawn up. It'll be delivered to you shortly."

"Oh, and one more thing. Your dear Gavin? I won't be letting him off easy either."

At the mention of Gavin, Vivian's face twisted.

"What are you going to do to him?"

I smiled coldly. "You'll find out in a few days."

"I'm warning you, Jared! Don't you dare touch my Gavin! If anything happens to him, I will kill you!"

Still struggling, Vivian was dragged away by the officers.

Her curses continued to echo down the hospital corridor.

It took about a minute for the ward to finally fall quiet.

I drew a deep breath and lay still on the bed.

I shook my head helplessly.

We were mates. How did it ever come to this?