Chapter 4

"Alpha Rex, Ms. Daisy's pup didn't make it. And she might never be able to have another," the healer said.

"What?" Daisy sobbed while biting her lip.

"Who's the father?" Rex's anger simmered under the surface.

Daisy threw herself into his arms, her face a mask of pitiful distress. "I'm sorry, Rex. Three months ago, you were drunk. That night, you thought I was Alicia…"

His pupils shrank, and panic flashed in his eyes, yet he pulled her closer. "No, this isn't your fault."

Only then did Daisy break down, crying uncontrollably. "I'll never be a mother again. Rex, what do I do?"

Watching them, I dropped my gaze to her stomach. I couldn't stop the memory of every cold excuse Rex ever gave to avoid touching me.

He had once touched my face so gently and said affectionately, "Alicia, you're too young. Carrying a pup is hard. I'll wait until you're ready."

But now, he had fathered Daisy's pup—even if it was gone.

It wasn't that he didn't want a pup. He just didn't want one with me.

I laughed bitterly.

"Alicia, how can you be so heartless?" When Rex caught my smile, disappointment shadowed his eyes.

I didn't hold back. "She deserves it. She knew you were my mate, yet she still slept with you. That's shameless. And now she engineered a miscarriage, trying to frame me. That's cruel and stupid. And it's your karma that you lost your pup!"

After a pause, I gave him a friendly reminder. "Given how hard she's working to sell this story, I'd bet anything that the pup isn't even yours."

"Shut up!" Rex exploded.

He sent me flying into the corner with a single backhand. Instantly, blood from my forehead began to cloud my vision.

Then, a sharp pain tore across my scalp as he shoved me halfway out the window.

The wind howled in my ears. If Rex let go, I'd be nothing more than a bloody smear on the ground.

Yet, I didn't flinch. I turned to him and stared at him coldly.

"You've lost your mind," Rex muttered. "Do you know how long I've been looking for you? Do you know how it felt seeing you fighting in that cage? Alicia, you know nothing. You only know how to frame and slander Daisy. You're insane!"

As he said that, tears spilled from his eyes, splashing onto my shoulder.

I hung from the window, unmoved. "Rex, you can lie to me, to anyone, but don't lie to yourself. Don't forget. You were the one who exiled me and framed me for crimes I didn't commit!"

His pupils shrank sharply at my words. "You're still arguing? You've disappointed me beyond words!"

With that, he threw me to the ground like garbage. His voice was cold and cutting as he said, "You caused Daisy to lose her pup. You must be punished."

I slowly raised my head.

Rex's expression was resolute. He ground out every single word between his teeth. "Publicly confess to your years of crimes and renounce everything you own. Do that, and I'll return the estate to you."

Crimes? Even now, he wanted me to carry sins I never committed?

I touched the photo in my pocket. It was a yellowed family portrait Dad had left me. Behind it was his writing. It read, "Alicia, once I recover, I'll take you north to see the aurora."

Dad was an elder of the Moonshade pack. He would never let me lose my dignity over and over again.

Noticing my silence, Rex reminded me, "Think about it carefully. This is your last chance."

Silence fell.

I let out a cold laugh, then slapped him across the face without a second thought. "I've done nothing wrong. Why should I admit it? Rex, this slap is for you, for being unfaithful to your mate!"

Before he could recover, I struck again. "And this slap is for your failure as an Alpha! You let your ears be poisoned by lies and exiled an innocent she-wolf, leaving her with no home and nowhere to go!"

As I raised my hand for a third strike, Rex grabbed my wrist with brutal force.

At the same time, a chilling voice rang out from behind us. "Rex Hemmond, what do you think you're doing to my Luna?"