The next morning, Sean came to the hospital to give Gloria a final checkup.
He said to Gloria, "You can be discharged now. But Gloria, don't ever risk your life again." Sean didn't want to say that to Gloria at first. However, for some reason, he suddenly remembered the conversation he had with Patrick in the bedroom at Fittro Club that day. He glanced at Gloria and continued, "Now that you are out of prison, you should live your life more seriously. The past is in the past, and you've paid for what you've done. Three years in prison may not be worth a life, still, it costs you a lot." Gloria had been silent, then, she raised her head slowly and looked at Sean. She asked, "Has everything been paid?" Maybe it was an illusion. Yet Sean thought he heard a hint of sarcasm in her gruff voice. He looked down suspiciously at Gloria, and his eyes became obscure. "What do you mean?" Gloria lowered her head and said, "Nothing." Sean waGloria did not want to go back to those memories, but they would not leave her alone. But those memories hit her hard and overwhelmed her. Once, Gabrielle said to her with a troubled look, "I don't like Alpha Patrick." Once, Gabrielle comforted her warmly, "It's OK, Gloria. That's who Alpha Patrick is. Gloria, you're awesome. I'm sure Alpha Patrick will accept the Moon Goddess' arrangement." Once, Gabrielle said shyly, "Gloria, I've found my mate, but I'm afraid of Alpha Patrick. Get him to mark you as quickly as possible, OK? So, I will no longer be afraid of him." That night, Gabrielle pulled an innocent face and said, "Gloria, take me to a pub, will you? I have never been to one before. I'm so curious." Gloria thought, 'How ridiculous. I simply trusted her! After that, Gabrielle was raped by rogues on the other side of the Shadow Forest, and I was sent to werewolf prison by Patrick. I was humiliated and tortured for three years, and eve
Gloria looked so serious. She said to Patrick, "My biggest mistake was falling in love with you." The expression on her face reminded Patrick of the Gloria he used to know. Back then, she came to Patrick again and again. She declared that she was his mate and that they were a couple arranged by the Moon Goddess. Patrick stared at Gloria. She was as serious as back then. However, with the same expression as before, she was now telling him that she was wrong. She said that she was wrong. She said she would correct her mistakes. What did she mean by that? Patrick felt a dull pain in his heart for no reason. He was about to snap. All he knew was that she couldn't wait to leave him and be with Mike! "Gloria, have I told you that even if it was something I didn't want, no one else could get their hands on it?" Patrick's voice was strangely soft, which sent shivers down her spine. Gloria's breathing became rapid. She held the bedding under
Gloria felt the urge to give up on herself. She thought, 'Why struggle? I might as well wait for him to get tired of me like a puppet. By the time he doesn't even want to look at me and wants to get rid of me for good, I can leave quietly.' "Gloria, stop cursing Gabrielle. She's dead, and you're still alive. Don't you think it's pathetic to become a bitter woman because of someone long gone? It's not worth it." Patrick didn't think Gabrielle was worth Gloria making herself hideous. Gloria was slightly stunned. For a moment, she thought Patrick was concerned about her. How could that be? The next second, Gloria found herself being lifted. Before she could figure out what was going on, she subconsciously reached out and wrapped her arms around Patrick's neck. Patrick felt her grip, and the corners of his mouth curled up imperceptibly. He held her in his arms and strolled out of the ward. He said, "We'll leave now." Patrick carried Glo
Camille was pushed to the ground, yet she was not angry. She said patiently, "Alger, calm down. Listen to what Gloria has to say. You shouldn't have hit her no matter what." Gloria's face turned pale. She quickly helped Camille up, but her wrist was grabbed by someone. Alger said, "Don't touch your mother with your dirty hands!" His words stunned Gloria. She froze there like a statue. Then she said, "Alpha Alger, please let go. Don't touch me, I'm a dirty woman, or you'll get dirty, too." Alger fiercely waved Gloria's arm away and said, "You have a sharp tongue, Gloria. Explain this to me. The money on the table!" He fiercely pointed at the cloth bag on the table. "How did you get it?" Gloria kept her head down. Alger and Camille never got a good look at Gloria from the beginning. They only knew that it was Gloria who lived here, since Gloria was their daughter, and they got the information from the detective agency. G
Camille crouched down to help Gloria, who was on the floor. Gloria did not refuse Camille. She slowly raised her head and stopped deliberately trying to hide her broken voice. She tried to hide her hoarse voice. Even though she was in so much pain that she didn't want to speak, she didn't want her parents to hear her terrible voice. Yet right now, she suddenly realized something. They were here today to blame her. They didn't care about her voice and they did not care about her. Why would they care about her ruined voice anyway? "Alpha Alger, enough with all the fancy words. Why didn't you help me on the day I was released from the werewolf prison? Look at me. I think you have probably forgotten something. I am no longer a member of the Silver Spring Pack. I was exiled. Have you forgotten? I am a rogue now. I have no past, no family, and no background. How can a person like me find a job at a convenience store that is willing to take me on the day I get out of
Alger couldn't believe his ears. He thought, 'Did Gloria just say that Patrick owns the Fittro Club? Patrick? The Alpha of the Black Thorn Pack?' Alger couldn't help but wonder, 'Is it because of Patrick that Gloria can't change her job?' Alger was the Alpha of a pack after all. He quickly cleared his thoughts. When he figured out the reason, his expression changed drastically. He cursed, "Bitch! Did you cross Alpha Patrick again?" Gloria was more than disappointed now. She looked at the man in front of her and was stunned. She thought, 'Seriously? Is this your first reaction? To question me, what did I do to offend that terrifying Alpha? You are my father, yet you forced me to change my job. And at the mention of Patrick's name, you changed so quickly! This is who my father is, the Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack.' Gloria suppressed her disappointment and calmly told them about her experience. She said, "After I left the were
They stopped beside Alger and Camille's car. Damon was two meters away from Alger. Before Alger got in the car, he hesitated. He turned to look at Damon and said, "Beta Damon, we failed to raise that bitch properly. All the things that happened to Gabrielle were because of her. I'm so sorry, Beta Damon." Gloria would be sad if she were here as well. She hadn't even confessed yet, and her father had already done it for her. Damon's expressionless face was as serious as ever. He said indifferently, "Gabrielle has been dead for three years, and I've come to terms with that. As for Miss Carter's mistake, Miss Carter will pay for it herself, and it has nothing to do with you, Alpha Alger, and Luna Camille. I may be Gabrielle's brother, but I'm also the Beta of the Black Thorn Pack. I can distinguish between right and wrong. Alpha Alger, I heard that you went to the Elders this morning. You announced that you had disowned Miss Carter as your daughter and banished her
"Patrick, it's not because of her, right?" Sean asked as he tapped the table with his finger. Patrick didn't say anything. Stewart leaned forward and asked with a gossipy expression, "Because of her? Who?" Since Sean did not speak, Stewart smiled and asked nosily, "Alpha Patrick, have you found your mate? Which pack does she belong to? When can we get to meet her, your future Luna?" Sean said gloatingly, "Stewart, I think you will get beaten if you ask more." "Go away! I'm asking Patrick. Alpha Patrick, who is the woman?" continued Stewart. In the next second, a fist came toward Stewart's curious face. Stewart was shocked. He quickly dodged and then patted his chest. "What the fuck! Patrick, you caught me off guard!" Sean smiled and said, "Idiot. What did I say? If you ask more, you will get beaten up. You didn't believe me. You deserve it." Stewart looked suspiciously between Sean and Patrick. Suddenly, he realized something. He sa
He didn't blame her. He only hated himself for not cherishing her while she was still by his side.Clenching the letter in his hand, he stumbled and slowly turned to leave.His once-proud figure now seemed frail, as if a gust of wind could knock him down."Cline…" Just as he leaned on the car door, preparing to leave, her familiar, tranquil voice called out to him.Hearing his name, he turned slowly, his gaze locking onto her slender, fragile figure under the streetlight.This was the person he'd missed for three years. Just her soft voice was enough to make him want to run to her and hold her tight.But reality was a cold shower, dousing his fervor.He took a step forward, but she retreated three steps, panic in her eyes, as if he were a monster."Don't come closer," she said calmly, her voice clear and unrippled."I've said all I need to. Please don't disturb me again."Cline had hoped she'd called him ba
Cline released Luana with a hint of despair, staggering back a step.His bloodshot eyes locked onto hers as he asked, "Never at all?"Luana's lashes fluttered, her composure unwavering as she shook her head again.The smile on Cline's lips deepened with bitterness. "What about these, then?"He pulled out a letter he'd carried always, holding it before her. His voice cracked, his eyes red as he repeated, "What do these mean?"Luana's gaze fell on the perfectly preserved letter, and her expression froze—a chord struck deep within.She wondered when exactly she'd lost all hope in him.Her thoughts drifted back to that night when he held her close, their intimacy shattered by his cold words, "Don't delude yourself into thinking I'll love you."She'd felt like ice, realizing she was nothing to him but a vessel for his emotions. Yet now...Luana slowly lifted her eyes to Cline, his composure completely undone.Whe
Luana fought with all her might, her slender hands clawing at Cline's arms.Her nails bit through his skin, drawing blood, yet he held on relentlessly."Cline!" Luana roared in fury, finally dropping her Dorothy act and staring him down as Luana.Hearing his name from her lips, Cline's eyes reddened further. "You finally admit it..."Luana sneered. "So what if I do?"Cline froze, his bloodshot eyes slowly meeting hers.Her face was an icy mask, devoid of emotion, filled only with contempt.This cold Luana left him at a loss.As he opened his mouth to speak, Luana turned her head, her calm eyes reflecting Cline's pale face."Did you really mean it when you said you loved me?""Yes..." Cline's heart leaped at the chance to connect, and he nodded eagerly, about to confess a decade-old truth.But Luana cut him off, her voice ice-cold, "If you loved me, why wouldn't you wait until our contract ended before break
"Does it hurt?" Luana silently asked herself.Once, she had known pain—excruciating, soul-crushing agony that had left her curled on a cold floor, voiceless and desperate.It had been a pain that stripped away all hope in this man before her, eroding her very will to live. It had been so severe that even in her final moments, when she'd longed for a glimpse of him, he'd refused even a phone call.That pain was no mere physical wound. It was a despair that seeped into her very being.It was after enduring such torment that she had finally seen Cline for what he truly was—a man utterly ruthless toward her.Yet now, here he was, holding her and asking if she hurt. The irony was bitter, almost laughable.With a cold, expressionless face, she said, "The five minutes are up. Let me go."But Cline, who had finally held the person he'd obsessed over, had no intention of releasing her so easily.He held her tight and said, "
Cline held tight to her arm, as if he'd never let go unless Luana gave him a chance to speak.Luana, brows furrowed, sighed and relented, "Five minutes, right here."Cline's cold gaze shifted to Dorian, who shot him a glare before turning to Luana."Five minutes, then home," Dorian warned.Luana nodded meekly, "Okay."Only after Dorian strode into the villa did Luana turn to Cline, her voice cool and impatient."Well?"In Dorian's presence, Luana had been the picture of obedience, just as she used to be with him.Now, though, Cline saw a change in her—calm, distant, and edged with impatience.This new version of Luana only deepened the ache in his chest.He longed to reach out, to brush his fingers against her face, but as his hand rose, she flinched violently, stepping back as if struck.Luana stared at Cline's right hand, her pupils suddenly clouded with fear, as if the ghosts of past trauma had res
Luana nodded in agreement and turned toward the stairs.But after just two steps, she froze, her fingers brushing the banister.Slowly, she turned back, her voice hesitant. "Clarissa, I came back as Dorothy... What about Gehrmann?"Clarissa had guessed that Luana had returned as her sister Dorothy the moment she heard Dorian call her by that name.Clarissa's smile was warm, reassuring. "I won't say a word to him or Cline. Your secret's safe."Relief flickered in Luana's eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, the word soft as a feather.As Luana walked away, Clarissa watched her retreating figure, worry knotting her brow."Is this luck or a curse?" she thought, "Leaving Cline only to be trapped by Dorian."At the car, Luana opened the passenger door and slid in."Home at ten seems early," she ventured, her tone tentative.Dorian glanced over, his indifference palpable. "Make it eight, then."Luana's lips twitched
Clarissa watched Luana's fingers tighten around the phone until her knuckles whitened. "When I first saw those messages flooding in, I tried luring him out myself—posed as you, planned to bring the cops. But instead of catching a creep, I got..."She trailed off, the memory of the man in the café still prickling her nerves.A man as cold and heartless as Cline—why would he cling to memories of Luana like this?"Anyway," she shrugged, "he never showed. Guess some ghosts stay buried."Luana's voice was a whisper. "These things... they should've been my fight. Not yours."Clarissa cut her off, "If it were me in this mess, you'd do the same. So quit with the thanks already."Luana nodded meekly, her lashes drooping as she glanced back at the phone screen.The mystery gnawed at her—Mr. Night's messages reeked of obsession, yet he hid in plain sight. Why?She couldn't fathom it, and frankly, didn't care
"I had no choice but to pull a dumb move—I seduced Gehrmann and took Naomi's spot as his bedwarmer," Clarissa said flatly, her voice echoing off the brick walls."I thought I could use him to get back at Cline. Turns out I was dumber than a bag of hammers—Gehrmann wouldn't lift a finger against Cline for any woman." She kicked at a pebble, watching it skitter into the shadows. "By the time I figured that out, he wouldn't let me walk away."Clarissa shifted her weight, catching Luana's profile in the dim light."But don't you worry, Luana. I ain't falling for Gehrmann's charm. This world's got exactly one good man left—Albion. And he's six feet under."So, I won't be that girl anymore—the one who pours her heart out for every little kindness, even when it's not worth it."Mentioning Albion again made Luana's eyes dim as if the light behind them had been switched off.She lowered her lashes, hiding the sorrow pooling th
Third Person's POVLuana tightly embraced Clarissa, hoping to alleviate her pain.Clarissa, however, patted her back with a smile and said, "It's alright. After finding out the truth, I was devastated for a while, but then I pulled myself together. I installed surveillance cameras and recorded every moment of their infidelity, which I sent to my lawyer."I won the lawsuit, but I couldn't get the house back. I could only recover the mortgage payments, the money I spent on him, and compensation for emotional distress..."However, what I didn't expect was that someone would expose Albert's bigamy online, ruining his reputation. His company fired him, and no other major firms would hire him. As far as I know, his current salary isn't even enough to cover the mortgage. Plus, his mother has cancer, which is why he keeps begging at my door."Clarissa's voice turned cold as she continued, "He thinks I'm still the naive woman I once was, that if he kneels a