Chapter 3

　　Patrick shook the wine glass in his hand. At Damon's words, he withdrew his gaze from Gloria.

　　He gave another command, "Inform the Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack that he must choose between Gloria and his pack. If he wants his pack intact, then Gloria must leave."

　　"Yes."

　　"Then, tell the werewolf university to cancel Gloria's degree. So, she can't get a decent job in human society. She'll be employed with a high school diploma."

　　"Yes."

　　"And," Patrick said coldly, "Send her to the werewolf prison."

　　Damon was shocked at his words. He raised his head and said, "Alpha Patrick?"

　　"She killed our people, so I'll send her to the werewolf prison for three years. Beta Damon, do you not agree with me?"

　　Patrick decided to send Gloria to prison for three years.

　　Though the evidence at this point was not enough to prove Gloria guilty, Patrick believed that she was the one who killed Gabrielle.

　　"No, Alpha Patrick, you did the right thing. Thank you." Damon's eyes suddenly turned red, and he began to cry. "If it weren't for you, Gloria would not have been punished for what she did to Gabrielle. She is from another pack, so there's nothing I can do about her."

　　Patrick turned to the floor-to-ceiling window. His eyes darkened as he watched Gloria disappear around the corner of the road.

　　He clenched the wine glass with his slender fingers and gulped down the rest of the wine.

　　"Beta Damon, I'm doing this not because Gabrielle is your sister, but because Gabrielle is the woman I love," Patrick said slowly.

　　Gloria, drenched and tired, returned to the Silver Spring Pack.

　　However, she failed to cross the border because they had received the order from Patrick.

　　The Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack was afraid of Patrick.

　　Therefore, Gloria was expelled from the Silver Spring Pack. She stood at the border and watched the patrolling werewolf guards leave.

　　Gloria didn't get to meet her parents, Alpha and Luna of the Silver Spring Pack.

　　Gloria would be a rogue from now on.

　　She didn't understand why they were so scared of Patrick.

　　Gloria laughed at herself and looked away. The border which separated her from the Silver Spring pack would be a cut-off from her old life.

　　Gloria could not put her feelings into words. As she turned back, she was stopped by two werewolves in uniform. "Miss Carter, we suspect that you had something to do with Gabrielle's death. You need to come with us now."

　　In the werewolf court, Gloria remained silent and listened to the Elders' discussion. Eventually, they decided to punish her.

　　Before she was sent to the werewolf prison, Gloria saw Patrick.

　　Patrick stood at the entrance of the werewolf council hall, waiting for her.

　　Patrick snorted. "Gloria, now, do you regret killing Gabrielle?"

　　Gloria shook her head and said firmly, "I didn't kill Gabrielle."

　　Patrick walked up to Gloria slowly, and his powerful aura as the Alpha was deterring.

　　Though Gloria was the daughter of the Alpha of the Silver Spring Pack, at the moment, she was only a rogue and could not stand such a powerful aura.

　　She told herself not to be afraid, that she was innocent, and that she had committed no crime.

　　She raised her delicate face fearlessly. She tried to maintain her composure, but her trembling shoulders gave her out. None of these could escape Patrick's eyes.

　　He was surprised and wondered, 'She still wouldn't give up her dignity.

　　What dignity? She's just a rogue now.'

　　Soon after, Patrick understood.

　　Gloria had always been proud.

　　Patrick grabbed Gloria's delicate chin.

　　"Let go of me! You're hurting me!"

　　Patrick's hand was like a pair of tongs as if he were trying to crush her jaw. Gloria's eyes welled with bitter tears.

　　Patrick, however, showed no mercy and snapped her jaw even harder. "Who would have thought of the evil heart hidden behind such a pretty face?"

　　"I didn't do it!" Gloria bit her lip, and her face turned pale from the pain. "You can't just send me to prison like this. There is no proof."

　　"Yes, I can." Patrick sneered. "Miss Carter, I hope you'll enjoy your time in the werewolf prison."

　　Patrick let go of Gloria's chin and looked at her.

　　"You can't do this to me. I am your mate. I am the future Luna of the Black Thorn Pack. This is the Moon Goddess' arrangement."

　　Gloria gazed at Patrick.

　　Her words enraged Patrick. He looked at her furiously and said, "You don't deserve to be my mate!"

　　Gloria felt a pang in her heart.

　　Her eyes welled with tears, but her pride would not allow her to show emotion. She continued, "This is the Moon Goddess' arrangement, and you can't change it. The pack will grow weaker if their Luna is absent for too long."

　　"Really?" Patrick said coldly, "I, Patrick Hammond, the Alpha of the Black Thorn Wolf, reject you, Gloria Carter, as my mate."

　　Gloria looked at Patrick in shock. She felt her heart shatter, and her wolf howling.

　　The pain overwhelmed Gloria almost instantly. She pressed her heart and looked desperate.

　　However, she did not reject Patrick because she didn't want the bond between them to vanish.

　　But she would have to endure the pain of her mate's rejection.

　　Gloria did not understand why Patrick had to reject her.

　　Was it because of Gabrielle?

　　But she had never hurt Gabrielle.