Chapter 4

The neighbors exchanged glances, then quickly scattered.

I held back my anger and avoided his gaze, not even wanting to look at Aden, when he grabbed my arm.

His chest was heaving, and his voice was caught between pleading and demanding as he asked, “Emily, you’re not going anywhere, right? You’re not going to mate bond with another wolf, are you?”

All I wanted to do was scoff.

“Why are you meddling?”

I shook off his hand and calmly smoothed down my sleeve. “There’s nothing between us. What I do and where I go have nothing to do with you.”

Then I turned and walked into my house, ignoring the shame and frustration festering behind me.

That night, I accidentally fell asleep on the couch.

In the dark, a hot, naked body suddenly pressed against me, reeking of alcohol.

Aden crashed his lips against mine.

His kiss was wild, rough, and full of possessiveness, as if he were trying to swallow me whole.

I struggled to push him away. However, he pinned my wrists.

“Don’t leave me…”

He was intoxicated, and tears spilled from his eyes to my eyes as he begged.

“You know I can’t help it! Emily, you’re mine! Don’t bond with anyone else. I’m begging you…”

“Aden, have you lost your mind?! What the hell are you saying?! You’re Ivy’s mate now!”

“I’m not!” he cried, pulling me into his arms and nuzzling into my neck. “Just wait for me. Once Ivy gives birth…”

“Let go of me!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I wrenched free from his arms, knocking a glass off the table and shattering it.

Startled, Ivy walked into the living room, only to find Aden standing there with nothing but his underwear.

Her gaze was filled with fury and loathing as they flicked to me.

I avoided her eyes and let my hair fall forward, hiding the bite Aden had left on my lip.

“James drank too much and mistook me for someone else. Why don’t you take him back to your room?”

Aden staggered as Ivy led him out, eyes full of disappointment and pain.

Why was he the one in pain, though? He was the one who chose Ivy.

I closed my eyes to block out the look on his face. Silently, I prayed that the day I had agreed on with my brother would come sooner.

A tear slid down my cheek.

I hoped it would be the last one I ever shed for him.

At dawn the next day, I called my brother and told him I wanted to leave early.

He agreed right away, even promising a surprise for when he picked me up.

As soon as I hung up, my body felt weak all over.

The door suddenly burst open with a loud bang.

Ivy stormed in, her pregnant belly visible, and threw a handful of silver dust all over me.

“Emily, you really are a bitch. Your mate dies, and you come sniffing around mine? You really think you're the family's favorite, don’t you?!”

Her eyes were full of venom. She sneered and took out a lighter, setting fire to the curtains.

“I already called James before I came. Let’s see who he saves first. Me and the baby, or you?”

The fire spread instantly.

Smoke stung my eyes, causing me to tear up. The silver she used was suppressing my wolf, choking my breath. Even struggling felt like a losing battle.

I could hear footsteps rushing toward the house. Ivy let out a cold laugh, then deliberately smeared more silver dust into my palm.

In my ears, she whispered, “There’s a price for not seeing the truth. Good luck, bitch!”

When Aden finally burst through the door, I thought of the night he gave me the obsidian pendant.

He’d said he would always love and protect me. I was supposed to be his one and only.

However, this time, he didn’t hesitate for even a second and ran straight to Ivy.

“James! Emily said the baby was stealing your attention and wanted to kill us both with silver and fire!”

“I didn’t…”

I lay on the floor, reaching out to him in despair.

He didn’t even glance at me. He carried Ivy in his arms and rushed out the door.

A falling beam crashed down onto my outstretched arm, scorching my skin.

Right before I blacked out, I saw the obsidian pendant again.

This time, it didn’t pierce my palm, but straight into my heart.