Chapter 4

I had been in the confinement chamber for three days, and no one had come to bring me food or water.

Because my wolf was too weak, even my wounds healed slowly. I felt dizzy from hunger, and my lips were parched and cracked.

Just as I thought I would die there, the door opened. Lina walked in, followed by two Omegas carrying fancy trays.

Lina crouched in front of me, smiling brightly. "Ella, you must be starving. I asked the chef to prepare your favorite grilled meat," she said.

She picked up a piece of meat and held it to my mouth. Just as it reached my lips, she let it drop. The food fell to the floor, instantly covered in dirt.

She pretended to be shocked. "Oh, my hand slipped. Ella, you don't mind, do you?"

I stared at her without saying a word.

Lina pouted and stood up. "How boring. Ella, do you know that Xav hasn't left my side for a single moment these past few days?

"He personally taught me how to use your wolf and even praised me for being a fast learner. He said that once the situation with Ryan is over, he'll officially mark me and make me his Luna."

She looked down at me, her eyes full of pride. "And you, Ella, what are you now?

"You're just a pathetic loser. Your power was taken, and your mate abandoned you. You're so weak now that you're not even as strong as an Omega."

After she finished speaking, she stepped on the meat and ground it into the floor. "You're just like this meat, crushed under my heel."

I slowly raised my head and looked at her face. "Lina, do you really think you can keep something that doesn't belong to you forever?"

Lina's smile froze. Then, she acted as if she had heard a huge joke. "Of course. You have no idea how much Xavier likes me now that I have your wolf.

"I suddenly think that keeping this power isn't so bad after all. Being the future Luna feels amazing. Ella, just stay here peacefully."

As soon as she finished speaking, she burst into laughter and turned to leave.

The door shut once again.

In the darkness, I slowly picked up the dirt-covered meat from the ground and ate it bit by bit.

I had to survive. Not only did I need to live, but I would also watch Lina and Xavier pay for what they had done today.

…

On the fourth day of my confinement, Xavier finally came. Seeing my miserable state, a flash of pity crossed his eyes. "Ella—"

"Do you need something?" I cut him off, my voice hoarse.

He frowned, as if he wasn't used to me being so cold.

"The people from the Silvermoon pack will arrive tomorrow," he said. "Ryan will personally come to pick up his mate. He's coming unusually early this time. Half a month earlier than in the previous life."

Xavier's gaze locked onto me as if he were trying to see right through me. He suspected that Ryan was being guided by me, his fated mate, and was rushing here, driven by instinct.

"No matter what, you can't appear in front of Ryan. Do you hear me?" he said.

I looked at him and couldn't help but find the situation ironic. "Are you locking me up just to keep Ryan from finding out that I'm his fated mate in this life?" I asked.

Xavier's expression darkened. "Ella, I know you're still angry, but this is the best solution for now. Ryan is a pure-blood Alpha and a total psycho. You know that better than I do. You saw what happened to Lina in the previous life.

"I can't let you end up the same way Lina did. Even though you can't shift into a white wolf anymore, I still love you."

"Does your love include watching Lina humiliate me, locking me in here, and letting me nearly starve to death?" I asked, my voice sharp.

My question left Xavier speechless.

A hint of guilt crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "Once this is over, I'll make it up to you and give you whatever you want."

I stared at him and asked coldly, "What if I want your life?"

The air instantly went still.

Xavier looked at me in disbelief, as if I were a stranger. After a moment, he let out a self-mocking laugh. "Ella, you've changed. You've become unreasonable."

He stood up and looked down at me. "Since you're so unwilling to cooperate, stay here and reflect on yourself."

He turned and left. The door of the confinement chamber slammed shut behind him.

I watched him walk away and slowly clenched my fists. He thought this room could trap me, but he underestimated me.

Since he didn't want Ryan to see me, I would do the exact opposite. After all, in this life, I was Ryan's fated mate.