Chapter 4

"Jody, you're supposed to be resting. How could you end up wandering around?" Louis asked.

Before I could answer, Amanda stepped in front of me.

"Jody, it's been a while."

Amanda was my stepsister, brought into my life after my mother died and my father remarried.

As kids, she refused to acknowledge me as her sister. She used to hit me and steal my lunch.

It was the first time I had ever seen this innocent act she was putting on now.

Sensing the coldness in my stare, Louis quickly tried to smooth things over. "Sweetheart, don't get the wrong idea. After what happened to you, Amanda has been feeling scared lately. I was just keeping her company and about to take her home."

I offered a faint smile. "She clearly means a lot to you. I'm not angry."

Louis' expression softened a little. "It makes me happy to see you two getting along."

I didn't want to hear another word from him. I turned and walked away.

However, I hadn't gone far when I noticed a pack of werewolves staring at me from a distance.

"That's the Alpha's ex-Luna, right? Poor thing. She was violated by rogues like that."

"A Luna raped by a pack of rogues out in the wastelands? Disgusting."

"Why would she even agree to a hostage exchange? Maybe she wanted that kind of thrill."

"If the Alpha weren't worried about appearances, he would have cast her out by now."

Each word sliced through me like claws, ripping open wounds that hadn't even begun to heal.

Already weak, I nearly collapsed from the blow.

Then, Louis suddenly pulled me into his arms.

His voice thundered with rage. "Shut up! All of you! Shut your mouths! Banish those who just spoke from the territory immediately!"

His fury was visible, veins bulging at his temples. The others fell silent.

However, all I felt was bitter irony.

Who caused all this in the first place?

We had been bonded for five years.

This man caused me to fast for three days when my morning sickness was so bad I couldn't eat. I nearly passed out from exhaustion.

Back then, he made me believe he was the Moon Goddess' greatest gift.

However, all I felt now was how fake his tenderness was when he treated me.

He destroyed our pup, killed my wolf, and ruined my reputation, all so he could be with Amanda and give her pup a legitimate title.

I forced myself to swallow the nausea clawing at my throat. My voice was hoarse. "Louis, I'm tired. Can you take me home?"

His eyes filled with tears, spilling down his face. He held me close and whispered gently, "Alright. I'll take you home. Don't be afraid. I'm here. No one can hurt you."

He turned to lead me back through the crowd.

However, a frail voice then called out, "Louis, my foot hurts…"

He froze mid-step.

I followed his gaze and saw Amanda standing on the edge of the crowd, her face pale. She looked like she had twisted her ankle.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Jody. I didn't mean to interrupt, but my foot hurts so much. I can't walk…"

Louis' face flooded with guilt and concern. He let go of me and pushed me aside. "Jody, go on ahead without me and rest. I'll check on Amanda."

Then, he turned and rushed to Amanda.

That was the moment my heart broke completely.

With his protective presence gone, the werewolves who had taunted me before turned back, their stares full of open scorn.

I started to shake. My knees gave out, and I crumpled to the ground.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Louis gently lifting Amanda into his arms. He cradled her ankle, which was barely scraped, and checked it.

Amanda glanced at me over his shoulder, her eyes glinting with smug satisfaction.

When he left with her, he didn't even look back once. He had completely forgotten me.

The Alpha who once swore to protect me for life had already abandoned me.

What else was there to hope for?

In that moment, whatever shred of attachment I still held for Louis vanished forever.