Chapter 4

The rumors about me kept spreading.

The worst ones said I was some shameless woman who couldn't even name the father of her child, and I was clinging to the palace because I had nowhere else to go.

The truth was, I hadn't returned to the human world because the child I carried was a wolf pup.

I told myself that I would leave forever with my child after giving birth.

And yet, even that small wish became an impossible luxury.

That day, I was walking along the sky terrace overlooking the palace. From a distance, I saw Bella approaching with her maid.

I stayed on guard and turned to leave.

However, the maid stepped in front of me and blocked my way.

Bella swayed toward me, her gaze poisonous as it landed on my stomach. "You don't seriously think you're going to give birth to that abomination, do you?"

I instinctively shielded my belly. "This child has nothing to do with you. Move!"

Bella covered her lips and laughed softly, handing me a cup filled with dark green liquid.

"He's my nephew, my family. How could you say he has nothing to do with me? But too bad Cade doesn't seem to like the child you're carrying. This is an abortion potion he personally prepared for you. He even told me to make sure I watched you drink it myself."

My hands and feet turned ice cold.

"That's impossible. Cade wouldn't do this. I won't drink it!"

Bella's expression twisted instantly. She stepped on the hem of my dress.

"Oh? You think you know him that well?"

I staggered, trying to steady myself.

Bella didn't give me the chance and shoved my shoulder hard.

"Since you won't drink it yourself, I'll help you along."

I tumbled down the stairs, and my abdomen slammed into a large stone.

It felt like a blunt blade was tearing through my insides. The pain was so intense that I couldn't even scream.

I could only curl up on the ground, struggling helplessly. Blood bloomed across my long dress, a glaring red stain.

I forced my mouth open, but only a faint sound came out.

"Help… My baby… Someone please save my baby…"

Bella looked down at me and suddenly burst into wild laughter.

"There's an important guest at the palace today. Cade's hosting a party in the great hall. All the servants are busy entertaining guests. No one's coming here."

I glared at her unwillingly. "I already gave Cade to you. Why do you still want me dead?"

Bella sneered, "Why? You still have the nerve to ask me why? Growing up, our parents never truly loved me. They brought me home just to give you a playmate."

I argued weakly, "But they never treated you poorly. They genuinely saw you as their own daughter."

Bella scoffed.

"Really? You were smart and beautiful, winning awards nonstop. You were their pride. And me? I was just your backdrop. That's why I hate you. I hate all of you from the bottom of my heart! Today, I'll at least let you die knowing the truth. Do you really think Mom and Dad died in an accident?"

My pupils shrank as a chill ran down my spine.

"What do you mean?"

Bella looked at me like I was stupid.

"Selena, you're just as stupid as your hypocritical parents."

She bent down and whispered in my ear, "I had a mechanic tamper with their private jet. All it took was loosening one small hydraulic valve. And just like that, a perfect crash."

"You're a monster!" I rasped.

Bella looked at me with false pity. She reached out and wiped the tears from my face.

"You're so beautiful, but you're about to wither like a dead flower. What a shame."

I clenched my teeth and forced myself up.

Bella kicked me back down and pointed a blade flashing cold light at me. "Stop struggling, Selena."

In a flash of desperation, I blurted out, "Cade and I are linked. We share pain. If you stab me, he'll know immediately!"

Bella hesitated for a split second. "You think this nonsense can fool me?"

Right then, chaotic footsteps echoed in the distance. Both of us turned our heads.

Cade was rushing toward us with a squad of soldiers.

At the critical moment, Bella suddenly twisted her wrist and turned the blade on herself. Without hesitation, she stabbed herself in the abdomen.

A second before Cade reached the terrace, she kicked me off the edge.

Icy lake water swallowed my body.

The searing pain slowly blurred my consciousness.

In the final second before my eyes closed, I saw Cade holding Bella tightly.

"Who did this to you? I'll make her pay with her life!"

I was dragged out of the water and thrown into the wolves' prison. An elaborate meal sat on the table.

The prisoner in the next cell asked curiously, "You're so young. What did you do?"

I felt my blood freezing inch by inch. I didn't even have the strength to speak.

He spoke again. "Eat something. It's your last good meal."

I looked at him in confusion.

"You don't know? Everyone here's on death row. Werewolf rules say the last meal's supposed to be a good one. Better to go out full," he said.

Hearing that, I actually started laughing hysterically.

So Cade wanted me dead.

Fine. There was nothing left in the wolf pack that was worth holding on to.

The prisoner shook his head, probably thinking fear had driven me mad.

The day before the execution, the guards brought me clothes and jewelry I had worn before. They wanted me to die with dignity.

After the guard left, I tore the pendant from my neck and smashed it against the floor with all my strength.

With a crack, the casing shattered into pieces.

A tiny communication tracker fell out.

I brought it to my lips and whispered, "Take me away."