Chapter 3

The rumors became even more vicious after I returned to the pack. The gossip about me setting my sights too high by going after Randy hadn't died down, and now new rumors had started.

They called me petty and jealous of Annie, saying I'd made it all up to frame her. No one listened to my explanation.

To them, Annie had an extraordinary gift for healing and a good chance of getting into the Royal Healing Center. She was the pack's hope, the one who deserved to stand by Randy's side.

All the hurt I'd kept to myself finally got to me. I lowered my eyes as tears ran down my face.

I didn't know how much time had passed before Randy finally came in, his clothes covered in snow.

I looked at him. In the past, I would have gotten up right away to brush it off for him, but this time, I didn't move.

Randy said, "Annie has no one to rely on. Can't you be a little more understanding? I'm so disappointed that you actually framed her out of jealousy."

I smiled bitterly. "If you've already decided I was the culprit, why bother asking me?"

My injuries still hurt, and I could barely walk steadily. I tried to retreat to the bedroom to get away from him.

Randy sighed, picked me up without asking, and carefully laid me on the bed. "I'll put an end to the rumors in the pack. But I don't want this happening again. Do you understand?"

I said nothing.

Vivian stepped in and tended to my wounds, pushing Randy aside. He stood to the side, lost in thought, before leaving and coming back with a bouquet of flowers.

Getting flowers this bright in the middle of all this snow must have taken him some effort.

"Nora." He stood in front of me, set the flowers on the table, and stroked my cheek. "I love you, but Annie is still new to the pack. I can't just leave her alone. I brought her here, so I have to look out for her. Come on, don't be mad at me anymore, okay?"

I didn't push him away. Instead, I softened my tone. "No, it's my fault."

Vivian had agreed to help me leave, but she needed to wait for a shift change in the border patrol before she could get the route that would let me through.

I couldn't afford to argue with Randy now. If he learned I was planning to leave, he'd lock down the entire snowfield. Not only would I be unable to escape, but Vivian would get dragged into it too.

Randy thought I'd finally calmed down. He leaned forward slightly, his tone authoritative. "Apologize to Annie tomorrow."

I clenched my fists, but Randy didn't notice how much I was holding back. I avoided his gaze and replied after a pause, "Okay."

He relaxed a little at my quick agreement. "Good. That's more like it. Don't worry. Once Annie passes her assessment, I won't break my promises to you again. Whatever you want to do then, I'll do it with you."

With that, he turned and left.

I pushed my bag under the bed and tucked away the dagger Vivian had slipped under my pillow. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down, but I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

The next morning, a horn blared across the snow-covered plains.

Randy told me that I had to go to the assessment grounds and apologize to Annie. I stood in front of the mirror for a long time before finally leaving without a word.

As I walked, pack members pointed at me and whispered among themselves.

"She's actually got the nerve to show up?"

"She's probably just putting on an act so Alpha Randy won't abandon her."

"She's nothing compared to Annie."

"Exactly. She's just an Omega. Does she really think she can become Luna?"

When Vivian passed me, she quietly reminded me, "The shift change is still three days away. Don't let anything slip. Be careful."

I took a deep breath, nodded, and walked into the assessment grounds.

The place was packed. Randy stood at the edge of the grounds, with Annie pressed close to his side.

When Annie saw me approaching, she shrank behind him, looking frightened and uneasy.

Everyone's disapproving eyes turned toward me.

Randy was about to say something when one of his subordinates hurried over and quietly reported unusual beast activity near the border. He frowned and turned to me.

"I have something to deal with. When I get back, I expect to see you two make up."

Then, he left with his subordinates.

As soon as he was gone, several Betas who always took Annie's side started giving me a hard time.

One of them shouted, "Don't just apologize! You have to kneel!"

A chorus of agreement and jeers immediately broke out around us.

Annie made no move to stop them. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Don't pressure Nora like this. As long as she knows she was wrong, that's enough."

Her fake attempt to stop them only made the crowd jeer even louder.

I gritted my teeth, wanting to refuse such a humiliating request, but one of the Betas walked over, contempt on his face.

"Nora, are you refusing to kneel? Annie has a real gift for healing. She might even get into the Royal Healing Center someday, while you're just an Omega. You're targeting her on purpose because you're jealous, aren't you?

"Also, you and your best friend Vivian are always together. Maybe she had something to do with this too!"

I couldn't help but tremble.

If I got into an argument and Randy found out when he returned, he'd discover that Vivian was helping me leave the Winterveil pack. The borders would be sealed, and I wouldn't only be unable to leave, but Vivian would be implicated as well.

I just had to endure a little longer. In three days, I'd be gone.

With no other choice, I swallowed my humiliation, gritted my teeth, and sank to my knees in the snow as the crowd jeered around me. The snow quickly soaked through my clothes, and the cold made me shiver.

"What happened yesterday was my fault. I'm sorry."

Murmurs swept through the crowd. I stayed on my knees for a long time, but no one showed any sign of letting me get up.

I was about to collapse when Annie stepped forward and helped me up, putting on a considerate act as she dug her nails into my arm.

She whispered into my ear, "See? No one believes you even though you're Alpha Randy's mate. You're still the one who ends up kneeling and admitting you were wrong."

I bit my lip and said nothing. All I knew was that I had to leave, and I couldn't drag Vivian down with me.