Chapter 4

The healer finally finished brewing the antidote. I drank it and let myself fall into a deep, safe sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, an unfamiliar royal maid quickly helped me sit up.

"Chloe, the rogue attack is a massive security breach. The King had to return to the palace to handle it immediately. But he ordered you to rest here in safety. He will visit you as soon as the threat is handled."

I nodded.

Last life, the assassination attempt caused a huge uproar. Rowan only got his rewards after a long investigation.

The King was busy, but the fact that he remembered to protect me was enough.

I just needed to rest and wait for him to finish his royal duties.

I relaxed and opened my mouth to speak.

Suddenly, heavy, furious boots stomped toward my room.

Before I could turn my head, rough hands clamped down hard on my jaw.

It was Rowan.

His eyes glowed with furious yellow wolf-light.

"You have some nerve! You had Tara brutally tortured and killed behind my back?!"

"Do you know how much Yara cried when she saw Tara's corpse?! You toxic bitch! I must have been blind to mate with you!"

He slapped me, snapping my head to the side. My cheek burned.

"Is that so? Then let's break the mate bond," I said, wiping a tear from my eye.

I had been holding those words in for a lifetime. I originally planned to wait for the King's decree so I could leave Rowan legally and cleanly.

But I couldn't hold it in anymore.

The hatred from my past life and the physical agony of this one crashed over me. I felt like I was suffocating in a dark box.

Rowan, who had been towering over me with arrogant rage, suddenly froze.

He frowned, his Gamma aura wavering as he stared at me, confused. Just as I wondered what he was going to do next...

Yara appeared.

Yesterday's brutal attack didn't seem to affect her at all.

She looked as ethereally beautiful and fragile as ever.

The moment she stepped in, Rowan's eyes softened. He couldn't see anyone else.

He carefully pulled her into his arms. The same large hands that just slapped me were now gently caressing Yara's cheek.

"Why are you out of bed? You're still weak."

Yara shook her head, looking up at him with teary eyes.

"I was worried about you, Gamma. I came to check on you, but I heard you fighting with Chloe... because of me. I don't want you to be miserable. Just reject me and kick me out! Then you won't have to fight anymore."

Tears spilled down her cheeks, dropping onto Rowan's shirt.

Rowan's heart shattered. He panicked, holding her tighter.

"Don't say such foolish things. You know you're the only one in my heart. I only pitied her because she's carrying my pup. She is far too toxic to raise a child. Once she gives birth, I'm taking the pup and giving it to you. "

I struggled, forcing my broken body to sit up.

"Rowan, do you have no fucking soul?! The pup is dead! Killed by his own father!"

I screamed at him, my lungs burning with agony.

Rowan frowned, thoroughly annoyed.

"What kind of insane bullshit are you howling about?! You murdered Tara, and now you curse our own pup?! You've completely lost your mind!"

I gave a dead, hollow smile.

"You have no right to mention him. He was eight months along! He was fully formed! Because of your selfishness, he never got the chance to take a single breath! When you close your eyes at night, Rowan, aren't you terrified his spirit will come to rip your throat out?!"

I roared the words at him.

Rowan froze entirely. The blood drained from his face. He let go of Yara and stumbled toward the bed.

"No... that's impossible. You're eight months pregnant!"

I sneered. I grabbed the blanket and threw it off, revealing my completely flat, empty stomach.