Chapter 3

Since last night, the power inside me had grown increasingly unstable.

Faint crimson veins kept surfacing along my arms.

After another visit to the healer's cottage, her expression turned grim.

"Your body's almost at its limit.

"Don't take any more medication that stimulates your bloodline, and stay away from anything that could trigger an allergic reaction."

The moment I stepped outside, I ran into Liam and Chloe.

When Liam saw me, his expression stiffened briefly.

Even so, he never let go of Chloe's hand.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not feeling very well."

He nodded. He showed no interest in asking anything else.

I politely returned the question. "What about you two?"

Liam let out an exaggerated sigh. He sounded concerned when he answered, "Chloe scratched herself while taking off her earrings. I'm taking her to Silver Spring to get healed.

"Luckily, I noticed right away. Otherwise, who knows what might've happened?"

He sounded as if she'd suffered a life-threatening injury.

I followed his gaze.

There was only a tiny scratch on Chloe's pale index finger. It had nearly healed already.

She gently tugged on Liam's arm and complained, "It's your fault. You kept blowing on my ear, and it distracted me."

Liam chuckled softly. "Fine, fine. It's all my fault," he said in a comforting tone.

I'd had enough of watching them flirt. Lowering my head, I walked away.

Behind me, I heard Chloe whisper, "Why is her arm covered in red marks? It's terrifying. Tell her to get it checked."

Liam answered absentmindedly, "She's always been healthy. Even if she's sick, a couple of days of rest will fix it."

"I'm worried about you. What if she caught some plague and gave it to you?"

Liam laughed. "Fine. I'll have her get checked again tomorrow."

-

I dropped off most of my luggage and didn't get back to my place until later in the evening.

The moment I reached the front door, a strong alcohol stench hit me. It made my head spin.

The living room was packed with werewolves.

Liam and several of his friends sat in a circle. They were playing the latest party game.

Each player drew a card and had to complete whatever challenge was written on it.

Anyone who refused or failed had to drink instead.

Empty bottles were scattered across the table.

Nobody noticed I'd come home.

Leaning against Liam, Chloe drew a card from the center of the deck.

The werewolves next to her immediately whistled.

"Striptease, or three drinks!"

Chloe's ears turned red slightly. She pretended to be embarrassed and bit her lip.

"I can't drink that much."

Without hesitation, Liam took the glass from her hand.

"I'll drink for her."

The room instantly burst into cheers.

"Alpha, you're way too biased!"

"Exactly! You always cover for Chloe. Where's the fun in that?"

"You really do treat your childhood sweetheart differently. Tsk, tsk."

Liam simply smiled and downed the whiskey in one gulp.

Amid the cheers, Chloe finally noticed me.

She stood up with a bright smile.

"Ella, you're back. We ran out of slippers, so you'll have to wear the disposable ones."

I looked down.

The slippers Liam had specially bought for me were now on Chloe's feet.

They weren't even her size. Her heels stuck out over the back, yet she deliberately walked back and forth in front of me.

I didn't say a word.

I bent down and slipped on the disposable slippers instead.

The pungent smell of alcohol made my chest feel stuffy.

I walked over to the window and had barely cracked it open when Liam looked up.

"Close it."