Chapter 3

The next morning, I drank the dark potion in one gulp.

The dark blue liquid slid down my throat, carrying an icy chill.

Instantly, a tearing pain ripped through my abdomen.

I could feel the spiritual bond with the pup in my womb snapping, thread by thread, like someone was ripping a hole right through my soul.

But I clenched my jaw and made no sound.

Tears, however, streamed down my face uncontrollably.

Forgive me, little one.

You don't deserve to be a sacrifice in this filthy game.

I collapsed onto the floor in agony, my thoughts broken only by a frantic knocking at the door.

I opened it to find Clara, her eyes red and swollen, her hair a mess.

"This is all your fault! All of it!" she shrieked hysterically.

"What is?"

"Liam saw me and Fabian together!" Her voice was shrill. "He said he's cutting all ties with me, forever!"

I nearly laughed out loud. "Isn't that the result you wanted?"

"What?"

"You were seducing my fiancé while stringing along your first love." I stared at her coldly. "Now that your game has blown up in your face, you're blaming me?"

"I wasn't seducing Fabian!" Clara screamed. "It was you! You used some kind of dark magic to make him obsessed with you, then you set it up for Liam to see us!"

Her logic was hilariously twisted.

"Clara, are you insane?"

"Shut up!" She lunged at me, clawing at my face. "I'm going to rip you apart!"

My wolf roared.

The sheer force of my presence threw Clara against the wall, and she crumpled to the floor.

"Ah!" she cried out, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth.

"Regina!"

Fabian and Liam burst in.

Their faces went rigid when they saw Clara on the ground.

"What are you doing?" Liam rushed over to help her up. "She's just an Omega with no wolf soul!"

"She attacked me first," I said calmly.

"Liar!" Clara wailed even louder. "I just wanted to talk to her, and she used her Alpha power on me!"

"Regina, you've gone too far!" Liam roared. "Clara is defenseless, and you used your presence against her!"

"I was just protecting myself."

"Protecting yourself?" Fabian walked over, his face a mask of disappointment. "Clara's power isn't even a tenth of yours. What did you need protection from?"

They had their story straight.

No matter what I said, it would be twisted into another crime.

"And from what I've heard," Liam's gaze grew colder, "the only reason Clara and Fabian were seen together is because you used an enchantment to control Fabian in the first place."

Enchantment magic?

That was a much more serious accusation.

"Yes!" Clara immediately played along. "Fabian told me you put a potion in his food to control his mind! Then you deliberately set me up to meet him there so Liam would find us!"

I looked at Fabian.

He avoided my gaze, but he nodded.

"Regina did... do something to me," he said, his voice laced with pain. "I hate to admit it, but she used some method to cloud my judgment."

Lies.

All of it, a complete and utter lie.

"Your storytelling skills are truly impressive," I said, clapping slowly. "You should write novels."

"Still denying it!" Liam raged. "Regina, you're a lost cause!"

"No, she's just sick," Fabian said, stepping toward me with a look of "pity." "Regina, I know you love me so much that you're not thinking straight. I don't blame you."

He took off his own cloak and gently draped it over my shoulders.

"Tonight's marking ceremony is not canceled," he declared in front of Liam and Clara, gazing at me with deep affection. "I will give you the grandest, most unforgettable ceremony."

Clara faltered, a flicker of panic in her eyes before she quickly composed herself.

"Fabian, are you sure?" she asked carefully. "Regina just attacked me. Maybe you two need some time to cool down…"

"I love Regina," Fabian cut her off. "No matter what she's done, I'll forgive her and protect her."

Clara bit her lip, her eyes flashing with hurt, but she quickly smoothed her expression and said softly, "I understand. Fabian, you're a good man."

She turned to me, her voice trembling. "Regina, I hope you appreciate him. Not every Alpha is this forgiving."

With that, she moved to Liam's side, a sob in her voice. "Liam, let's just go. I don't want to be a bother to anyone."

Seeing Clara looking so fragile, Liam's anger flared. "Clara, you're too good," he said, glaring at me. "Some people don't deserve your kindness."

"Liam, please don't say that about Regina," Clara said, pulling on his arm. "Maybe… maybe she just loves Fabian so much that she acted out. I can understand that feeling."

Her performance was flawless.

She played the part of the magnanimous victim, subtly painting me as the villain while reinforcing her reliance on Liam.

"Clara, you're too good," Liam said, his voice full of pity. "Someone as pure as you shouldn't have to put up with this."

"As long as you believe me, that's enough," Clara murmured, leaning against his chest. "Let's go. We shouldn't disturb them."

Liam snorted, shooting me one last cold glare before leaving. "Regina, you better pray Fabian never snaps out of it. Because the moment he's free of your control, you're finished."

The room was empty except for Fabian and me.

He closed the door, his face still arranged in that sickeningly devoted expression.

"My love, be on time tonight." He stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug. "The sacred fire circle is ready."

"I can't wait for our marking ceremony."

A cold smile touched my lips as I returned his embrace.

"Good. I'll be sure to give you exactly what you want."

Let's see if you're still smiling when you see the surprise I have waiting for you at the ceremony.