Chapter 2

The next day, I went to the most luxurious gift shop in the city. I planned to return the courtesy and choose a present for Leonard.

I knew that he, as the Alpha King, was already unimaginably wealthy. My small token of appreciation would mean nothing to him. But I figured that even an Alpha King wouldn't want to feel ignored by his own betrothed, would he?

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, and the jewel counters gleamed with treasures worth a fortune.

The staff eagerly displayed jeweled necklaces and rare timepieces, but my mind drifted elsewhere.

I still couldn't tell if I had made the right choice.

But then I reminded myself—at the very least, Leonard would protect his Luna Queen instead of chaining her down like a servant.

Just as I reached toward a pocket watch, the shop's door creaked open.

A sharp, mocking voice split the air.

"Gina, what are you doing here?"

Sasha strolled in as if she owned the place. She clung to Timothy's arm, her eyes gleaming with cruel delight.

"You claim you don't want to be Timothy's servant, yet here you are, secretly preparing a birthday gift for him. What a two-faced act. Unlike me, who'd never go saying one thing and doing another behind others' backs like some scheming scoundrel."

It was then that it hit me—Timothy's birthday was just a few days away.

So they thought I was here to get him a gift to patch things up between us?

Timothy's arrogant gaze swept over me. "So that's it. I thought you'd finally grown a spine, ready to marry another wolf. But here you are, crawling back to me, aren't you? Did you finally realize that I'm the only one you can go to?

"But aren't you forgetting something? This shop's custom orders take at least two weeks from design to delivery. Don't you think it's a little too late to shop now?"

I forced down the rising storm inside me and cut him off. "This gift is for my fiance. It has nothing to do with you."

Timothy sighed, as if genuinely worried for me.

"Stop lying to yourself, Gina. You're 25. Do you really want to end up with some impotent Rogue? Or are you still dreaming that marrying Leonard will give you a better life? If you keep acting tough in front of me like this, you'd lose even the chance to be my servant."

Sasha's eyes gleamed as she chimed in sweetly at just the right moment.

"Timothy, the healer's hut is right next door. I can't bear the thought of Gina marrying some filthy, stinking Rogue. Let's give her the servant injection now. One shot might not be enough. We might have to give her several."

Before I could speak, Timothy coughed lightly, and the guards behind him stepped forward, seizing both my arms.

"No!"

I thrashed against them, terror flooding through me.

Timothy ignored my struggles, stroking Sasha's hair affectionately. "Sasha is right. Someday, you'll thank her for this."

Then, he turned and gave a nod to the guards. "Take her away."

They dragged me like a criminal out of the shop. My heels screeched against the polished marble floor, the sharp sound echoing in the hush as the staff and customers stared, too afraid to intervene.

The healer's hut reeked of disinfectant. Its dim lights cast shadows over the hulking medical machines humming in the corners.

The healer at the counter looked up, and his expression instantly shifted to a fawning one.

"Mr. Newsom! The birth suppressant injection for servants you wanted is ready."

A muffled scream came from behind a closed treatment room door. Upon hearing that, I felt my stomach twist into a knot.

Sasha sighed in feigned concern. "Gina, I don't want you to suffer. So, after discussing with Timothy, we picked the mildest formula for you."

She lifted the syringe. It was as thick as a finger, filled with a swirling pink solution. The long silver needle glinted under the room's light.

"Of course, a milder formula means that it'll take several injections instead. But don't you worry, I'll administer them myself. I'll be gentle. You won't feel a thing," she cooed.

The needle came closer, inch by inch. I knew if I didn't act now, this drug would ruin my body forever.

While summoning every ounce of strength in me, I struggled along with my wolf. Finally, I broke free from the guards' grip.

When I lunged away, there was still some distance between me and Sasha. Despite that, she suddenly staggered back as if shoved, falling theatrically into Timothy's arms.

The syringe clattered to the floor, and a droplet fell off the tip of the needle.

Sasha gasped, clutching her hand as tears welled in her eyes.

"I was only trying to help… but she attacked me! Timothy, what if the drug touched me? What if something happens to me?" she whimpered.

"Who told you to release Gina?" Timothy roared, his face twisted with fury.

He cradled Sasha protectively, murmuring reassurances, then barked an order to the guards.

One of them—a hulking brute—strode over to me.

A loud, resounding slap echoed in the room.

The blow snapped my head sideways. My ears rang, and my vision blurred.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze to Timothy, but the werewolf I once loved was gone. In his place stood a stranger—cold, merciless, a devil incarnate.

"You crazy bitch!" he spat, his voice heavy with disappointment.

"Sasha spoke up for your sake, and this is how you repay her?"

The guard slammed me down, pinning me against the icy floor. My cheek hovered inches from the ground.

The syringe lay before my eyes, the needle gleaming like a blade sharp enough to pierce my soul.

Above me, Timothy's voice cut through the air, cold and commanding.

"Apologize to Sasha. Right now!"