Chapter 3

I walked unsteadily and finally arrived at Darcy's den.

I knocked on the door, and it was Brigitte who opened it. She was wearing a loose bathrobe, exposing her neck and chest, where bruises bloomed like trophies—as if she was proudly showing off her victory.

When she saw me, she lowered her voice and boasted, "Ginger, I must say you have a good taste in choosing a mate. He is handsome, strong, and even good at mating. It is really a pity that you are a loser in the competition."

I ignored her and just handed her the clothes.

The next moment, Brigitte approached me unexpectedly with a tricky look in her eyes. "Ginger, I know your secret. I know the reason why you love Darcy Lemche so much. Do you want me to tell her?"

I turned around and stared at her intently, seeing her smile growing bigger into a smug grin.

My claws squeezed into a ball, and cold sweat rolled down my face.

"It’s not his status as Alpha that I love—it’s the scent of his wolf and the face I could never forget."

I stared at her, my voice quiet but sharp as I finished speaking..

"Seriously, Ginger? Take a look in the mirror. You think you’re his mate? You’re just the punchline to everyone’s joke. He’ll never love you, let alone claim you."

Before Brigitte could finish speaking, she suddenly let out a scream and raised her claws to protect her cheek.

Meantime, my right claw was still shaking from scratching her face.

"What's going on?" Darcy appeared, also wearing a bathrobe.

In an instant, Brigitte turned to run towards him, tear rolling down her face. "Darcy, I kindly advised my Ginger not to waste her time on you. She scratched me."

I was not sure if it was an illusion, but when Brigitte cried like this, Darcy's eyes turned cold as he looked at her, showing a hint of impatience.

I didn't take it to heart because I was immersed in surging emotions.

Moreover, when he looked at me again, he already had a displeased expression on his face and said, "Ginger, apologize to Brigitte."

I looked at Brigitte, too numb to move.

I used to apologize the moment he asked, even when I wasn't wrong. But this time, it was Brigitte. And I just... couldn't bring myself to do it.

However, Darcy broke the silence and ordered me in an impatient tone.

"Ginger, didn't you hear what I was saying? Apologize to Brigitte!"

He brought Brigitte over and forced me to apologize to her again.

I had never disobeyed him. This was the first time.

I remained silent, which eventually angered him.

"Okay. If you don't want to do this the easy way, let's do it the hard way!" As soon as he finished speaking, he took Brigitte's right claw, raised it, then slapped me across my face.

The slap so was hard and painful that I was unable to stand steadily. My body swayed, and hit the cold wall.

It seemed that he moved his figure, as if trying to help me.

I steadied myself and noticed his claw gently caressing Brigitte's face.

"I heard a loud crash echo from my chest—it was the sound of heartbreak. My heart had shattered into pieces, but I no longer wanted it."

"Ginger, are you tired of pretending now? I'm talking to you, why pretend to be mute?" Darcy growled.

I was momentarily distracted and couldn't hear him clearly.

He got angry and lifted my chin fiercely, forcing me to look at him.

Then I steadied myself and clenched my fists, holding back the storm inside.

"Darcy, don't be angry. I accidentally touched some silver dust somewhere yesterday and my wolf is in great pain. I didn't intentionally ignore your words."

I apologized softly, and with my pale face, he probably believed me. He let go of my chin and frowned, unable to understand: "I always thought you were stronger. How can you be like this when your wolf hasn’t given up?"

His words should have shattered me. Cold sweat drenched my skin, yet my heart remained still—quiet, numb. I knew then: this would be the last day I ever gave to him. After that, I’d walk away for good.

Staring at his face, I breathed deeply in and out several times.

Brigitte couldn't bear to see Darcy's attention on me, so she took his arm and said, "Darcy, Ginger has been spoiled since childhood so don’t let her get to you."

I almost laughed when I heard what she said.

I, Ginger Folan, was spoiled? How dare she?!

"Ginger, there will a Hunting Competition at the Spirit Fall tonight. Darcy will take me there. Are you going?"

The Spirit Fall in the Dusk Forest was always popular among the heirs to the Alphas.

Normally, wherever he went, I would follow him.

But this time the pain caused by the silver dust was severe, so I refused politely: "Darcy, I won't go. Enjoy yourselves there!"

I thought it was just a small chore, but clearly, I ended up annoying him. He jumped up and growled. "Ginger, are you trying to embarrass me? If you don't go there tonight, you'll never be allowed to follow me anywhere."