Chapter 4 Don't Refuse

Valerie's POV

The soft, coquettish voice drifting through the door was enough to melt bone.

I froze where I stood, breath caught in my throat, staring through the narrow gap in the office door.

There, nestled intimately in Aaron's arms, was Lily.

I hadn't seen her in years.

Her head tilted up toward him, and he bent down slightly to match her height. From where I stood, they looked every bit the picture of a couple lost in a passionate kiss.

Just last night, Aaron had handed me the papers to sever our bond. And today—barely a sunrise later—he was already holding her again.

It felt as though someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my soul, extinguishing every last ember of warmth. I stood motionless, my heart pounding dully in my ears as their voices filtered through the door.

"I'm… a little scared, Aaron," Lily murmured.

I had never heard Aaron speak with such tenderness.

"What's wrong?"

"You've been together with Valerie for three years," she said, her tone both shy and wounded. "I wasn't there with you. I'm afraid you might've fallen for her—that you don't love me anymore. After all, she's your fated mate, the Luna your father approved of. And me… I'm nothing."

My heart dangled by a thread, utterly helpless as it awaited Aaron's reply. I knew better than to hope, yet I still waited.

Aaron's tone was calm—coldly certain.

"Fall in love with her? Impossible. If it weren't for the Alpha inheritance, I never would've married her. In my heart, the only she-wolf worthy of being my Luna is you. She is undeserving."

Every word was a blade driven straight into my chest, tearing apart the fragile heart I'd spent years trying to mend.

The pain was unbearable. It robbed me of breath, yet I still bit down on my lip, forcing myself to remain silent. I couldn't let them know I was there.

The taste of blood spread across my tongue. I couldn't listen any longer. Without a second glance, I turned and fled.

My legs barely obeyed me as I stumbled down the corridor, the world around me spinning, a deep humming in my ears drowning everything out.

It was only then—only in that moment—that I realized how foolish I'd been.

All the years of heartache, of hoping for warmth from my mate made of frost, had been meaningless.

Aaron—the one I loved, the mate I cherished—had always known how to destroy me with a single sentence.

A bitter laugh escaped my trembling lips. I had actually believed—naïvely, desperately—that he felt something for me.

But now I knew the truth. He never loved me. Not even a little.

Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled into the street, my mind unraveling.

A blaring car horn shattered the air. I looked up just in time to see headlights rushing toward me.

For an instant, terror froze me where I stood—too shocked, too broken to move.

"Watch out!"

A strong force yanked me back, and a rush of air whipped past as the speeding car roared by, stirring my hair into chaos.

My chest heaved. I stared wide-eyed, gasping, the sound of my own heartbeat deafening in my ears. Stray strands of hair clung to my wet cheeks, plastered there by tears.

I could imagine how pathetic I must look, but I didn't have the strength to care. My spirit felt crushed beneath the weight of it all.

"Valerie, what were you thinking?" came a familiar voice, calm but edged with worry. "Running into traffic like that. It's dangerous."

I blinked and finally recognized the guy standing before me.

"Cassian?"

It was Cassian, Constance's older brother.

I took a deep breath, forcing steadiness into my voice. I didn't want him to see through me.

"It's nothing… I just wasn't watching where I was going."

I tried to smile, though my throat burned and my voice was hoarse. Cassian's eyes softened, but concern still clouded them.

"You don't look well," he said firmly. "I can't let you go alone. I'll take you home."

He paused, his tone turning serious.

"Please, Valerie—don't refuse."

His words pulled me back to reality. He was right—I didn't look well. I couldn't let myself fall apart.

I had already lost my wolf years ago and become an omega. My body was far weaker than any warrior's. The fact that I had managed to conceive a pup at all was already a miracle.

After confirming my pregnancy, the doctor had warned me strictly: No emotional extremes.

Aaron's love—or lack of it—didn't define my entire life. I still had myself. I still had this pup. And for both our sakes, I had to stay strong.

I took a moment to steady my breathing, forcing my mind to calm.

"Cassian," I said after a pause, "I'm… a little hungry. Instead of going home right away, could you take me somewhere to eat? I should get something in my stomach."

Relief flickered in his eyes, and his tone softened.

"Of course. That's no problem at all."

He glanced toward a nearby intersection.

"My car's parked just down the street. Wait here for a moment. I'll drive over and pick you up, all right?"

His quiet care warmed me. I nodded.

"Thank you, Cassian."

Before long, we arrived at one of my favorite restaurants.

Cassian wanted to stay and eat with me, but he received an urgent work call soon after we sat down. Reluctantly, he excused himself, promising to come back when he could.

I told him not to worry. For my pup's sake, I would eat properly. I wouldn't neglect myself again.

But just as the waiter set my order down, the door to the restaurant opened—

—and in walked Aaron.

With Lily by his side.