Chapter 6

Alyssa's expression immediately turned sour, but she couldn't lash out in front of everyone. She forced a smile.

"O-Oh, sure."

I hadn't expected the marking ceremony I prepared so diligently to end like this.

But my work was finished. I could leave now.

I had just stepped out the door when Alyssa ran over and blocked my path.

"Lara, you're feeling pretty pleased with yourself, aren't you?" Alyssa grabbed my wrist tightly. Her nails nearly dug into my flesh. "Do you think Erwin suddenly gave up the marking because of you? Dream on! The only thing he feels toward you is hatred!"

I looked at her calmly. "I never thought that. He said he would mark you, and I've already wished you both well. What else do you want?"

"I want you dead!" Alyssa suddenly lowered her voice. Her eyes gleamed with malice. "Tell me, if Erwin sees you trying to kill me, do you think he'll finally kill you?"

Before I could react, Alyssa suddenly let go and fell backward.

"Ahh!"

Alyssa tumbled down the tall stone steps and hit the ground hard. Blood quickly pooled beneath her.

In the healer's den, the operating room light was on.

Erwin grabbed me by my throat and slammed me hard against the wall.

"Who said you could hurt Alyssa?" He uttered through clenched jaws.

"Your dad caused my dad's death. Are you trying to follow his example and murder someone too? Did you forget the lesson I taught you?"

I could barely breathe, and I didn't even have the strength to struggle anymore.

Right then, the operating room door opened. The healer said urgently, "The patient has lost too much blood. She needs a transfusion right away!"

Erwin immediately released me and shoved me forward.

"Use hers. They have the same blood type. As long as she doesn't die, take as much as you need!"

Just like that, I was dragged into the operating room.

A thick needle pierced my vein. Bright red blood flowed out through the tube.

My vision slowly blurred. At the final moment, it seemed like Erwin stepped forward quickly, but then he abruptly stopped himself and turned to ask about Alyssa's condition instead.

When I woke up again, the ward was empty.

I struggled to sit up. Just as I was about to get out of bed, Erwin pushed the door open.

He strode over and grabbed my wrist. He gripped so hard it felt like he would crush my bones.

"Since you're awake, come with me!"

I stumbled as he dragged me forward. The needle was yanked out from the back of my hand, leaving a trail of blood.

Instinctively, I struggled. "Let go!"

Erwin ignored me completely and dragged me through the long hallway.

Barefoot, I stepped on the cold floor tiles. My hospital gown became all scrunched up from being pulled.

The pack members we passed all lowered their heads and avoided looking at us. No one dared glance twice.

"What are you doing? Erwin!" I used all my strength to try to shake off his hand. My nails left scratches across the back of his hand.

Erwin suddenly turned around and slammed me against the wall.

"Alyssa almost died because of you. I want you to apologize to her right now."

My whole body trembled as tears spilled uncontrollably. "I didn't push her."

"The guards saw everything!" Erwin suddenly raised his voice. He then immediately lowered it again. "You were standing at the top of the stairs. When she fell, you were the only one there!"

Suddenly, I laughed. Tears streamed down my face. "Then kill me."

My voice was hoarse. "Let me die before you just like your dad died before mine. Kill me!"

Erwin's pupils contracted. His grip tightened even more.

Pain made my vision go dark, but I stubbornly lifted my chin and stared back at him.

At that moment, a weak cough came from inside a nearby ward.

Erwin's expression froze. He dragged me straight into the ward.

"Apologize," he said coldly.

I bit my lip hard and said nothing.

Suddenly, Erwin grabbed the back of my neck and forced me to look at Alyssa on the bed.

Alyssa lay there with bandages wrapped around her forehead. When she saw me, she shrank back and hid behind Erwin.

"Don't be afraid, Alyssa." Erwin gently touched her face. He then turned to me and barked, "Apologize!"

My vision blurred.

Seeing the way Erwin protected Alyssa, I suddenly recalled that ten years ago, when my wolf spirit had been badly hurt, he stayed by my bedside the same way. He'd stayed up all night to take care of me.

"I–" I opened my mouth, but something felt stuck in my throat.

Erwin impatiently tightened his grip again.

The pain finally crushed the last bit of stubbornness in me.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto my knees.

"I'm sorry." My tears dropped onto the floor. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have pushed you."

Alyssa smiled smugly and leaned further into Erwin's arms.

After saying that, I braced myself against the bed and slowly stood up. I staggered toward the door.

The hospital gown hung loosely on my body, revealing the ugly scar across my collarbone.

Erwin stared at my back as I left and suddenly felt a strange heaviness in his chest.

'When did she become this thin?' he wondered.

"Erwin." Alyssa weakly tugged at his sleeve. "My head hurts."

Erwin immediately looked away and bent forward to check on her wounds.

By the time he looked up again, I had already disappeared from the doorway.