Alpha, I’m Leaving. You’ll Regret This

After that, I ran out into the chaos, coughing, my chest tight, and found a battered phone booth at the roadside. My hands shook when I dialed the number I’d been holding onto for years. “Alaric… do you still mean it?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “That I can come back to the pack anytime within five years?” There was a pause, and then that deep, low, cello-like voice rolled through the receiver. “Of course, my beloved Arianne. Every northern wolf in the pack has been waiting for you. They’re all asking when their favorite she-wolf is coming home.” I pressed the receiver harder to my ear, trying to steady my voice. “But my… my identity. The paperwork. It takes three days to sort. And I can’t exactly cross state lines quietly. Drake… he won’t let me leave, I know him.” His voice softened, “How do you plan to leave New York without him noticing? You know him, Chloe. Drake is territorial. Possessive. He’d know the moment you stepped a foot outside the glass house gates.” I swallowed hard. “Then… I’ll make sure he only gets my corpse.” The words felt hollow, but at least they burned with the truth. If he could let Chiara pretend to be me, then I could vanish from his life entirely. And then it happened. Warm, large hands wrapped around my waist, pressing me tight against someone. My breath caught. “Wife,” Drake’s voice trembled as he buried his head in my shoulder. “Thank God! Thank God you’re alive. If anything had happened to you… I wouldn’t even want to live. I… I can’t—” I froze, my mind screaming at me to push him off, to run, but I couldn’t. “Luna, the fire. Are you okay?” Kieran’s voice cut in, tense and urgent. “Alpha went in after you. You couldn’t see, and he insisted on risking himself. That chandelier—if it fell, it would have—” “Kieran, stop!” Drake growled, a low rumble that made my chest ache. “She’s safe. That’s all that matters. I don’t care about the chandelier, I don’t care about anything else.” I could feel the weight of him on me, and the smoke stung his eyes, his skin smelled like ash, his clothes were torn, burned in places. I gasped, my heart pounding, and I hated him for it. I hated that he’d risk his life for me when he’d let Chiara live in my place. And then I saw her. Chiara. She stepped out from the smoke, pristine in white, pulling her suitcase, elegant and deliberate. My stomach twisted. “Alpha Thornhill,” she said softly. Her voice calm, almost mocking. Drake stiffened, then let go of me reluctantly. He smoothed his hair and turned to her. “Honey… a business partner’s here. Just um, wait a second.” He stepped toward her, took her hands in his, and signed with careful, deliberate motions. “Chiara, why did you come alone? Didn’t I say I’d come tonight to stay with you and the pups? I wanted to be here with you, to make sure you were safe.” Chiara’s hands moved in response, her sign language precise, full of tension. “I missed you, Drake. I wanted to come and make things right… to atone for what I’ve done to Chloe. I… I know I’ve wronged her, and I wanted to help her.” Drake shook his head slowly, almost like he was in pain. “No. No, Chiara. You haven’t wronged her. I’ve wronged both of you. I made you carry a life that was never meant to be yours under my lies. I forced you into a position that wasn’t fair and I hid the truth from Chloe, from both of you, because I… because I couldn’t face the consequences.” He pressed his forehead to hers, whispered, “I couldn’t let her know, and I couldn’t let you leave. I thought, I thought I was protecting everyone, but I was just protecting myself. And now…” Chiara’s lips moved again in sign language. “Drake… I only ever wanted to make this right. To protect the baby, to protect her. You’re the one who carried this all alone.” He kissed her, soft but agonized, eyes almost overflowing with something I couldn’t name. Then he signed again. “I’ve already chosen the names. The boy will be Draken. The girl will be Chanelle.” I felt my chest collapse. My alpha. My mate. And yet everything I believed in, everything I trusted, was falling apart in front of me. Why did love have to be this cruel? Around this time last year, I found out I was pregnant. I thought maybe… maybe things would finally be ours. Drake had been over the moon. He booked out the whole hot spring resort, told me we’d have the entire place to ourselves. And then he picked up a phone. I could hear a girl crying on the other end, faint, but I could hear it. My heart twisted in a way I didn’t understand. He kissed my belly, soft, warm, and whispered, “Wife, there’s an emergency at the pack. Just wait for me, okay? I’ll be back.” I believed him. I waited. A whole day, a whole night, just sitting there, hoping, praying. But instead of Drake, there was an avalanche. Snow burying everything. And our child… our little wolf pup, gone. I got miscarriage. I saw him later. Touching Chiara’s belly, the same way he had touched mine. The same way he’d whispered to me, the same way he’d promised he’d protect us. And I smiled bitterly, the edges of my heart cutting like glass. Because the only person trapped that winter was me. Then I heard him talking to her. “Honey, I’ve been tied up with the pack. I hired a nutritionist to make sure you’re taken care of while I’m busy.” His hand covered hers, his eyes soft and doting, like she was the only mate that mattered. “Hello, Miss Brightman,” she said, shy and sweet, and my chest twisted. Miss Brightman. Not Mrs. Thornhill. Not mine. Drake frowned for a moment, and then he just… let it go. Didn’t correct her, didn’t even flinch. I clenched my fists in my lap, fingertips digging into my palms, trying not to scream. Trying not to shatter right there. And then he draped a wool coat over my shoulders, “It’s cold out. Come on, let’s go home, honey.” I froze, and through the corner of my eye I saw Chiara nod, and he leaned down and kissed her, soft, lingering, like he’d been waiting to do it forever. That evening... I watched him in the kitchen, always careful, thoughtful. He’d serve me my soup, gently, like he’d done a thousand times before. But then he’d turn and wipe sauce from Chiara’s lips, smiling down at her, laughing warmly, as if she was everything he’d ever wanted. “Silly girl,” he signed, “how can you be this cute?” I lowered my head, my lips tasting the soup, my eyes burning, and I couldn’t cry. I wanted to. I tried to. But I couldn’t. Because I knew him. I recognized that movement. That look in his eyes. That care. That love. And then it hit me. All of it. All the warmth, all the touches, all the promises he’d given her. He’d really… fallen for her. And I was nothing.

After dinner, my private pack doctor came again, like he always did and checked my eyes. “Alpha Thornhill, Dr. Peterson couldn’t make it today, so I came instead. I reviewed her records, and honestly… if she keeps taking the proper treatment, there’s a really high chance her eyesight will come back.” I stood outside the door, quiet, listening. My chest felt heavy for no reason. What would it even change… if I could see? Would I see him choosing her more clearly? Would I see every lie right in front of me? Inside, there was a pause. Then Drake spoke. Calm. Flat. “No.” The doctor sounded confused. “No…? Alpha, I don’t think you understand. This is a good thing. She can recover, she can—” Drake cut him off, his voice colder now. “Didn’t Peterson tell you? For the past five years, I’ve only had him prescribe the most basic tonics. Nothing more.” The doctor went quiet. “You mean… you’ve been holding back her treatment on purpose? Alpha, that’s… that’s not right. She deserves to know. She deserves a chance.” Drake exhaled, low and irritated. “And if she sees everything, what then? Have you thought about that? What happens to Chiara? What happens to her when the truth comes out?” “Alpha, with all respect, your mate’s life should come first,” the doctor insisted. “You can’t just keep her in the dark because it’s convenient for you.” “It’s not convenient. It’s balanced.” Drake’s voice dropped, dangerous now. “I’m keeping things stable. I’m protecting both of them. You don’t get to question that.” My hand tightened around my ring. My fingers shook. So this whole time… he knew. He knew I could’ve seen again. And he chose to keep me blind. Why…? Was I really that easy to control? That easy to hide away? A sharp crack echoed in my ears. I didn’t even realize I’d forced the ring off until pain shot through my finger. Blood slipped down between my fingers, warm and sticky. I ran. I didn’t even know where, just back to my room, my whole body shaking so hard I couldn’t breathe. I knocked into the table, and the framed wedding photo fell to the floor. In it, Drake leaned forward, pressing a soft, sacred kiss to my forehead. His eyes were full of devotion. Like I was everything. “Why…” I whispered, staring at it. “Why did you lie to me like this…?” My tears hit the floor before I could stop them. And then I started laughing. Loud, broken, ugly. “Hahaha… Drake… you’re amazing. You really are.” My stomach twisted, and I doubled over, gagging, bitter liquid rising in my throat. “You planned everything… didn’t you? Every day I am scared, confused… thinking I was broken… that was all you.” I cried until there was nothing left. Then I picked up the photo, pulled it out of the frame, and shoved it into the shredder. The machine chewed through it slowly, the sound sharp and final. And it felt like something in my chest was being shredded too. Every memory, every moment, every time he said he loved me. Gone. “Honey… what are you doing?” I didn’t even turn around. I just gathered the torn pieces, white and lifeless now, and dumped them into the trash. “It’s nothing,” I said, my voice dry, empty. “Just… a corrupted file. Didn’t need it anymore.” Drake stepped closer. “Corrupted? Let me see that.” He frowned slightly, staring at the shredded pieces. “Why does this look familiar… Chloe, what exactly did you—” Before he could finish, the door opened. “Drake,” Chiara’s voice came soft, gentle, like she belonged here more than I ever did. He turned instantly. Just like that. Like I didn’t exist. She walked in holding a bouquet of strong-scented white lilies, smiling shyly. “I brought these… I thought maybe she’d like them.” Drake’s eyes softened right away. “You shouldn’t be walking around too much. What if something happens to you or the pup?” “I’m fine,” she said, her voice light. “I just wanted to do something nice.” He took the bouquet from her and turned to me, placing it in my arms. “Here. For you.” “Happy birthday, Miss Brightman,” Chiara added softly. The scent hit me hard. Too strong. Too suffocating. I started coughing, over and over, my chest tightening. Tears streamed down my face and I couldn’t stop them. Drake frowned. “What’s wrong? Are you allergic? Why didn’t you say anything?” Chiara suddenly came up behind me and covered my eyes with both hands, laughing softly like this was some kind of game. “Come on, come on, just a few more steps,” she said, gently but firmly pushing me forward. “Don’t peek, okay? I prepared something special for you.” I didn’t fight her. I just let myself be led. What was the point anymore? “Alright… ready?” she said, voice bright. “Surprise!” She let go. And I saw it. On the white marble table was raw meat, still dripping with blood, foam clinging to it like it hadn’t even been cleaned properly. The vegetables were burnt black, like they’d been left too long over the flame. For a second, I just stared. Was this a joke…? Or was I the joke? Chiara suddenly gasped and slapped her forehead. “Oh no! I totally forgot. Miss Brightman can’t really see, right? I didn’t think about how this would look…” She stopped mid-sentence and covered her mouth, like she realized she messed up. Drake immediately reached for her hands, his movements quick, reassuring, signing gently to her. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Chloe won’t mind something like this. She’s not that sensitive.” Not that sensitive. Chiara lowered her head, her fingers trembling as she signed back. “Why does it feel like I can’t do anything right? I just wanted to do something nice for her, but I kept messing up… I’m useless.” Drake shook his head, his expression soft, almost pained. “You’re not useless. Stop saying that. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough. You don’t need to be perfect.” She sniffed, then looked up again. “I… I also made a mango cake for her. I thought something sweet might make her happy.” Drake turned to me, his eyes full of that same gentle look I used to believe in. “Wife, come on. Don’t just stand there. She worked hard on it. At least try a bite, okay?” I didn’t move. My hands clenched slowly at my sides. I felt so tired. So, so tired. “Drake,” I said quietly, “Do you even remember what today is?” He froze. “What do you mean? It’s your birthday, isn’t it?” “No. It’s not.”

There was a pause. “It’s the day our son died,” I said. “The day the snow buried everything. The day you didn’t come back.” His face changed. Just for a second. Regret, maybe. Or guilt. I couldn’t tell anymore. “And… I’m allergic to mango,” I added, looking at the cake he was still holding out to me. “Wife, I…” he started, “I didn’t know. I thought—” “You didn’t think,” I cut in softly. “You just forgot.” He stepped closer. “Chloe, wait. Don’t go like this. Let’s just talk, alright? You’re upset, I get it, but don’t shut me out.” I shook my head and turned away. “I’m not upset. I’m just… done talking.” I walked away, ignoring him calling after me, ignoring Chiara’s soft crying, ignoring the way his voice shifted when he started comforting her instead. ... Back in my room, I shut the door and blocked everything out. I didn’t know how long I slept. Maybe hours. Maybe longer. A noise woke me up. Something moving downstairs. Voices, faint. I opened my eyes slowly. Drake was there, sitting by my bed, watching me like nothing had ever changed. “Wife,” he said softly, his voice warm again, gentle like before. “You’re awake.” I didn’t answer. I just stared at him. “I made you something,” he continued, almost careful now. “Strawberry cake. Your favorite. Do you want to get up and eat a little?” I pulled my hand away when he tried to touch me. “No. I’m not hungry.” His hand stayed in the air for a second before dropping. He sighed. “Don’t lie to me. You’re still angry, aren’t you?” I didn’t respond. He leaned forward a bit. “After I finish this busy period, I’ll take you out. There’s a concert coming up, one you used to like. We can go together, just us. Would you like that?” I turned my face away, staring at my hair falling over my shoulder. I stayed silent. He pressed his lips together, then reached for my hand again, holding it this time. “Wife… Chiara prepared something for you. An animal show. She said she wants to apologize properly. At least go take a look, okay?” “I don’t want to,” I said quietly. He didn’t listen. Of course he didn’t. Without another word, he lifted me into his arms and carried me downstairs. The night air hit me hard. Cold. Sharp. I was only in a thin nightgown, and my body started shaking almost immediately. But he didn’t notice. Or maybe he did, and just didn’t care enough. I watched him walk ahead, carrying clothes in his arms. But not for me. For her. He went straight to Chiara and carefully helped her into a thick protective suit, pulling it over her shoulders, adjusting it like she was something fragile. He slipped gloves onto her hands, fixed the helmet over her head, every movement slow and careful. Then he leaned in and kissed her cheek, soft and full of affection. “Chiara,” he said gently, “don’t push yourself too hard. You and the pup… you’re what matters most right now. Nothing else is more important than you.” The wind carried his voice straight to me. The moment Chiara pulled the cloth off the cage, my whole body went stiff. Inside were two beasts. A massive bear and a shadow lynx, both fully grown, both restless, their claws scraping against the metal bars like they wanted out. The second the cloth dropped, they froze… and then their heads snapped toward me. “Rawrrr—” The bear roared, low and hungry, its black eyes locking onto mine like it already chose me. My heart dropped. Why are they looking at me like that…? I took a step back without thinking, my chest tightening. And then it hit me. The bouquet earlier. That weird, sharp smell. My fingers curled slightly. No… no, don’t tell me… I forced my voice to stay steady. “Drake… I don’t feel good. Can we just go back? Please… I don’t want to stay here.” Before, he would’ve panicked. He would’ve carried me back himself, asked a hundred questions, made sure I was okay. Now… He frowned, like I was being difficult. “Chloe, don’t start this again. She’s been preparing for a long time. Can’t you just stay and watch for a bit? Don’t ruin it.” Don’t ruin it. I swallowed, my throat tight. “I’m not trying to ruin anything. I just… I really don’t feel well. Can’t we leave after this? Or even now?” He sighed, clearly annoyed. “You’re overthinking. Nothing’s going to happen. Just stand there and watch, alright? It’ll be over soon.” Watch? Me? I almost laughed. Chiara stepped forward, a little clumsy but trying hard, holding the control chains. “I practiced this for days,” she said softly. “I really wanted to make it up to you. Please… just give me a chance.” I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. The show started. The bear and the lynx moved through the fire rings and across narrow logs, their bodies smooth and powerful, everything looking normal on the surface. “Good, that’s it,” Chiara said nervously, pulling the chains. “Easy… easy…” Drake clapped, smiling, his eyes fixed on her like she was the only thing in the world. “That’s great. You’re doing amazing. See? I told you you could do it.” Not once did he look at me. Not once did he think about the fact that this whole thing was supposed to be for me. But that wasn’t even the worst part. My breathing started to get shaky. My hands trembled more and more. Because those two beasts… They kept looking at me. Again and again. And every time their eyes met mine, it felt heavier. Hungrier. Like they were waiting. I took a small step back. Then another. I need to get out. I need to leave. Now. No one noticed. Of course they didn’t. I was just about to slip out of their range when suddenly— “Ah!” Chiara screamed. I looked up. She lost her footing on the platform, her body swaying before she fell. The chains slipped right out of her hands. Everything went wrong in a second. The bear and the lynx froze. Then they started roaring, wild and uncontrolled. “Chiara!” Drake shouted, his voice breaking as he ran toward her without hesitation. “Chiara, are you hurt? Say something!” And just like that… He left me. The beasts turned slowly. My breath caught. “No… wait…” The next second, they lunged. Everything went black and fast. Pain exploded through my body, sharp and crushing, like my bones were being torn apart, like something was ripping me open from the inside. “Ah—!” I screamed, my voice breaking, raw and desperate. It hurt. It hurt so much I couldn’t even think. I collapsed, blood spreading beneath me, warm and endless. Through blurred vision, I saw him. Drake. Holding Chiara tightly in his arms. Not even looking at me. Not even once.

When I opened my eyes again, everything smelled like antiseptic and cold metal. The ceiling was too white, too clean. My chest burned. My legs felt like they’d been crushed. I let out a weak sound without meaning to. “Hey, don’t move,” the nurse said quickly, pressing my shoulder down. “You’ve got three broken ribs and internal bleeding in your liver. You’re lucky you even made it through the night.” I blinked slowly, trying to focus on her face. She kept talking, like she didn’t realize every word felt heavy. “Last night was chaos. Only Dr. Jones was on duty, and another patient’s family kept insisting he treat their wife first because she’s pregnant. They were loud about it too.” My fingers twitched slightly. Pregnant. “But don’t worry,” she added, softer now. “That woman only had some minor injuries, so the doctor came to you right after. You got treated in time.” Of course. She hesitated, then asked gently, “Where’s your family? Your mate? Someone should be here with you.” I stared at the blanket. My voice came out dry and cracked. “I don’t have anyone.” She went quiet, and I could feel the pity in her eyes without even looking. Then I heard voices outside. “Drake… I’m sorry,” Chiara’s voice trembled, full of tears. “I really don’t know what happened. They were fine before. I didn’t mean for them to lose control. Miss Brightman got hurt because of me.” Drake’s voice came right after, soft, full of concern. “Chiara, stop blaming yourself. This wasn’t your fault. You got hurt too, remember? You shouldn’t be standing around like this.” “I don’t care about myself,” she cried. “I just… I feel so guilty. I want to apologize to her properly. I need to tell her I didn’t mean it.” I clenched my hand. Apologize again. Drake sighed quietly. “You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be stressing like this. Come on, go back to your room and lie down. I’ll handle things here.” “No, I don’t want to go,” she insisted, voice shaking more. “Please… just let me see her. I need to say sorry. I won’t feel better if I don’t.” Something snapped in me. I grabbed the cup beside me and threw it against the wall. It shattered loudly. Silence outside. Then hurried footsteps. Drake rushed in. “Wife? What’s wrong? Do you need water? Are you in pain? Tell me, I’ll get whatever you need.” I looked at him. Really looked at him. His eyes were full of worry, just like before. Just like always. And suddenly… I felt tired. So tired I didn’t even want to fight anymore. “Did you check it?” I asked quietly. He paused. “Check what?” “The bear and the shadow lynx. Why they suddenly went crazy. Did you look into it?” For a second, I saw something flicker in his eyes. Then it was gone. “It was an accident,” he said without hesitation. “Animals lose control sometimes. There’s nothing strange about it.” I stared at him. “Nothing strange?” He adjusted my blanket like everything was normal. “You’re overthinking again. Just focus on getting better, okay? Don’t stress yourself with things like that.” The last bit of light inside me went out. I watched him quietly, my chest aching in a way the injuries couldn’t explain. Six years ago… I remembered it so clearly. I’d gone out alone during a storm to check on a pack’s outer territory. I ended up running into a group of rogue wolves. They surrounded me, their eyes wrong, their intentions worse. One of them grabbed me, dragged me toward the trees while the others laughed. I was terrified. I couldn’t even fight back properly. And then Drake came. I still remember the look in his eyes. Pure rage. “Touch her again,” he said coldly, his alpha voice shaking the ground, “and I’ll make sure you beg to die.” They didn’t listen. So he broke them. “Leave them breathing,” he ordered his warriors, voice deadly calm. “But make sure they regret it.” The screams lasted for hours. Blood everywhere. No mercy. After that, every single one of them ended up dead or worse. That was the man who protected me. But now… I almost died. I was torn apart right in front of him. And he didn’t even question it. Didn’t even think for a second that something was wrong. Didn’t even look at Chiara like she could be involved. My chest felt empty. Completely empty. “I understand,” I said softly, turning my face away. He went still for a moment. “Chloe…?” Before he could say anything else, noise came from outside. Nurses rushing, voices panicked. “Alpha!” someone called. “The Luna's condition—” He stood up immediately. “I’ll be right back,” he said quickly. “I’ll get you something to eat too. Just wait for me, alright?” I didn’t answer. … Drake never came back after he left. I waited for a while. I don’t even know how long. My body hurt, my head felt heavy, and at some point I just… gave up and fell asleep. Even in my sleep, it didn’t feel peaceful. My chest stayed tight, like something bad was still holding onto me. I woke up because of pain. Sharp, stinging pain in my arm. I looked down and saw thick bandages wrapped around it, soaked faintly with blood. “What… what are you doing?” I asked, my voice weak. The nurse didn’t even look up. “Changing your dressing. You just had a skin graft, so it’s going to hurt for a while. Try not to move too much.” My mind went blank. “Skin graft…? What are you talking about?” She paused, then looked at me like I was the strange one. “You didn’t know? The Luna in the next room had a scrape on her arm. Alpha Thornhill requested that a patch of your skin be used for her treatment.” My ears rang. “She just had a small injury,” the nurse went on, sighing. “But you know how it is. Different fates. Some people get worried over the tiniest scratch, and others…” She didn’t finish, but I understood. My face went cold. So even my body… Even my skin… he could just take it and give it to her. My lips trembled. It felt like I swallowed something burning. “Can you… help me transfer to another hospital?” I asked quietly. “Transfer?” she repeated. “Why would you—” The door opened before she could finish. “Transfer to where?”

Drake walked in, carrying bags of fruits and food. Things I used to like. He set everything down, took off his coat, and came straight to me. “Why are you talking about transferring? Don’t move around like this. You’re still weak.” I didn’t answer. I just watched him. He gently wiped my hands, my feet, like he always did. Then he picked up fruit, peeled it carefully, and held it to my lips. “Here. Eat something first. You haven’t eaten since yesterday, right?” I didn’t move. He sighed softly. “Chloe, don’t be like this. You need to eat if you want to recover. Don’t make me worry, okay?” He scooped up some soup, blew on it until it cooled, and brought it closer. “Just one bite. Come on.” So gentle. So patient. Just like before. And that was the cruelest part. Because I knew… He’d do the same for her. No. Even more. He’d always give Chiara the best portion first. “This one tastes better,” I once heard him say. “You should have this.” He’d kneel beside her bed, pressing his ear to her stomach again and again. “In a few more months, you’ll feel the pup move,” he’d say, his voice full of excitement. “I can’t wait.” He’d leave after I fell asleep. I knew. I didn’t need to see it before. But now I could. I saw him slip into her room at night. I saw the way they looked at each other. The way his hands touched her. The marks they didn’t bother hiding anymore. And during the day, he’d introduce her openly. “This is my mate and Luna,” he’d say, his tone proud and gentle. “She’s pregnant. Take good care of her.” Not me. Never me. I just watched. Quiet. No tears. No questions. What was the point? People who really want to leave… they don’t waste time saying goodbye. ... The days passed. Cold, slow, empty. Sometimes, when Drake was with Chiara, I’d quietly make a call. “Hello… it’s me,” I’d whisper. “How’s the process going? When can I leave?” “Soon, Ms. Brightman,” the agent would reply. “We’re almost done. Just a little longer.” And I waited. On the day I was discharged, I finally got the message. “Ms. Brightman, your documents will be ready by the morning after tomorrow.” I stared at the words for a long time. Then I smiled. For the first time in… I don’t even know how long. Finally. Drake paused beside me, one hand still supporting Chiara. He looked at me like something caught him off guard. “Chloe… you’re smiling,” he said quietly. “What happened? Did something good come up?” I shook my head lightly. “Nothing. I just… felt a little better.” He stepped closer, pulling me into his arms before I could move away. “That’s good,” he murmured. “You should smile more. Don’t stay sad all the time. I’m here, okay? I’ll always be here for you.” Always. I gently pulled back, avoiding his hold. “I’m fine,” I said softly. He looked at me for a second, something uneasy flashing in his eyes. Then he leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Alright. Let’s go home.” On the way back, he kept glancing at me. “Are you really okay?” he asked again. “You’ve been quiet. If something’s bothering you, just tell me. You don’t have to keep everything to yourself.” I looked out the window. “There’s nothing to say.” He frowned slightly, then reached out like he wanted to hold my hand. Before he could— “Watch out!” Chiara suddenly screamed. Everything happened too fast. A massive black SUV came out of nowhere, crashing straight into us. A loud bang exploded in my ears. And then everything flipped. … I had a dream. A long one. Too real. Too painful. I went back to five years ago… the first time I met him. I could still see back then. I used to love going out alone, exploring pack borders, climbing mountains like nothing could ever touch me. And then I found him—lying in the middle of nowhere, deep in a dead mountain range, his leg twisted, his body burning with fever. An alpha, half-dead and alone. I remember kneeling beside him, shaking. “Hey… can you hear me? Don’t die, okay? I’m not strong enough to drag a corpse down this mountain.” He didn’t answer. So I stayed. I gave him everything I had—my food, my water, my medicine. I stayed awake for days, taking care of him like he was the only thing that mattered. Three days later, he woke up. And I… collapsed right after. When I woke again, he was the one holding me, his wrist cut open, his blood pressed to my lips. “Drink,” he said, hoarse but firm. “You’re not dying on me. Not after you saved me.” I tried to push him away. “Are you crazy…? You’ll weaken yourself.” He shook his head. “I’m an alpha. I can handle it. You can’t.” He fed me his blood again and again until help came. Later, when he chased me, when he refused to let me go, he would always say the same thing. “We survived that place together. That kind of thing doesn’t happen twice. It means something, Chloe. It means we’re bound. Fate, past life, whatever you want to call it… I’m not letting you go.” I believed him. I really did. But then the dream twisted. Everything blurred, and suddenly… it wasn’t me anymore. I saw him throwing me toward a group of wild beasts, his face cold, choosing her over me without hesitation. I screamed. And woke up. My head pounded. My body felt heavy. My hands and feet were tied, something rough covering my eyes. I couldn’t see anything again. “Where… where am I?” I whispered. Voices answered. “Alpha Thornhill,” a man said, mocking, amused. “You really have some nerve. You crushed my pack, took our territory, left us with nothing. Did you really think I’d just let that go?” Drake’s voice came low and dangerous. “Jakobi Corvo… rogue alpha. You kidnapped me? You’ve got guts. But you’re signing your own death warrant.” Jakobi laughed, loud and unhinged. “Death? I already lost everything. If I die, I’ll drag you down with me. But killing you too fast… where’s the fun in that?” Hands grabbed me, dragging me across the ground. Stones scraped my back and I bit down hard to keep from crying out. Another voice—Chiara, crying. “Let me go! Please… please don’t do this…” We were thrown down side by side. Drake snapped, “Let them go. This is between you and me. Don’t drag them into it.” Jakobi ignored him. I could hear the smile in his voice. “Let’s play a game, Alpha. You like games, right? I’ve prepared a few little punishments. You just need to choose… who takes them.” My heart dropped. “No,” Drake said immediately. “You want something, say it. Land, money, power—I’ll give it to you. Just let them go.” “Stop wasting my time,” Jakobi snapped. “First game.” Chains clinked. Low growls followed. “The first punishment… is blood bait.” I froze. “We’ll smear one of them with fresh blood and throw them into a pit of starving rogue wolves,” Jakobi went on, almost cheerful. “Let them chase. Let them hunt. Don’t worry, I’ll pull them out before they die… maybe.” Drake’s breathing turned heavy. “You’re insane.” “Choose.” Silence. Then suddenly, we were shoved forward. Something cold and wet smeared across my skin. The smell hit instantly—blood. “No—!” I gasped. The ground beneath me dropped. I fell.

Growls exploded around me. I couldn’t see, but I could feel them circling, closing in. “Drake!” I screamed. “Please—!” He roared, furious, desperate. “Stop! I said stop! I’ll choose!” The wolves snapped closer. Claws brushed my leg. “Who?” Jakobi asked, amused. “Her? Or the pregnant one?” My chest tightened. For a second… I waited. I still waited. His voice came out strained. “I—” Then Chiara cried, choking, “Drake… please save me… our pup… I can’t… I can’t die…” Everything went quiet. Even the wolves seemed to pause. And then— “Chiara.” Just one word.And that was it. Something inside me broke so quietly I almost didn’t notice. The wolves lunged. Pain exploded as teeth tore into my flesh, claws ripping, my body dragged and thrown like I wasn’t even human. I screamed until my voice disappeared. Then they pulled me out only to throw me back again. And again. I lost count. By the time they dragged me out for the last time, I couldn’t even move. I could barely breathe. “Are you trying to kill her?” Drake shouted, his voice breaking. “She won’t survive this!” Jakobi laughed softly. “You chose this. Don’t look at me like that.” I was thrown onto the ground. My body felt numb, heavy, like it wasn’t mine anymore. “Second game,” Jakobi said casually. “Let’s make this more interesting.” Something was dragged. Metal scraping. “A silver whip. Ninety-nine lashes. Alpha Thornhill… choose again. Who takes it this time?” Drake didn’t answer right away. His breathing was rough, uneven. My lungs burned. I coughed, choking on blood, my whole body shaking. I couldn’t even lift my head anymore. So this is it…? Is this how I end The next second, his answer came. “Chiara.” Chiara broke into tears, clutching her chest and looking at me like she’d been saved from death itself. “Chloe already suffered so much. I… I don’t know what to say! I didn’t mean for things to turn out like this.” I didn’t look at her. I looked at him. Drake. “Why…?” My voice barely came out. “Why is it always her? Tell me, Drake, just once, tell me why.” He didn’t answer. The whip came down before I could hear anything else. A sharp crack split the air and pain exploded across my back. I gasped, my body jerking forward, my fingers digging into the rough ground. Stones cut into my skin and blood smeared under my nails. “One.” Another strike. “Two.” I bit my lip, but the sound still slipped out. “Three…” The pain kept building, tearing me apart piece by piece. “Drake…” I choked out, my voice shaking. “Does it hurt you at all watching this? Or am I just nothing now?” No answer. By the time it reached fifty, I couldn’t think straight. My back was soaked, blood dripping down my sides. “Fifty-five!” someone called out. My vision blurred. My body swayed. “Stop!” Drake roared, “I said stop hitting her! Can’t you hear me? That’s enough, she can’t take it anymore!” Chains rattled as he broke free, rushing toward me. For a second I thought, I really thought… But then— “Drake!” Chiara screamed, “My stomach!! It hurts… something’s wrong! I think I’m losing our babies— please, help me…” Everything froze. I felt it. That hesitation. Drake stopped. Grabbed her. “What’s wrong? Talk to me. Are you in pain? Don’t scare me like this… breathe, okay? I’m here.” I laughed weakly. It came out broken. So this is it… right? Another whip came down. I coughed, blood spilling from my mouth. “Chloe!” Drake shouted. His voice sounded far away now. Jakobi laughed, slow and cruel. “Alpha Thornhill, this is getting interesting. I’ve got a medical team ready, but you can only save one. Think carefully… are you choosing her again? Or do you finally want to change your answer?” Another strike. Another. I couldn’t hear properly anymore. Everything rang. I forced my eyes open. I saw Drake and Jakobi talking, mouths moving, but I couldn’t hear the words. Then Jakobi nodded. Drake picked Chiara up, held her close, and turned away. He walked off without even looking back. Not once. A laugh slipped out of me, weak and shaking. “Ha… so this is it…” Ninety-nine lashes, and somehow none of them hurt as much as that moment. The sky turned red as the sun set, like the world was bleeding with me. Something soft landed on me, a white seabird, its feathers turning red instantly. “Drake…” I whispered, “Your fate… your bond… all those things you said… they meant nothing, didn’t they?” I tried to breathe but it hurts. Everything hurts. “If there’s another life… I won’t love you again.” Then darkness swallowed everything.

I don’t know how long it has been. When I woke again, there were sirens, people shouting, hands moving around me. They said I was lucky. They said I survived. I didn’t feel lucky. At the hospital, they treated my wounds and told me to stay, but I refused. What was the point? I went back to the glass house alone. The place he built for me, every detail made just to make me smile. Now it didn’t feel like mine anymore. Chiara had only been there for two months, but she was everywhere. Her clothes, her scent, her things filling spaces that used to be mine. My dressing room was a mess, my music room filled with her stuff like I’d never existed. Even the wooden carving I made for him, the one he once held like it meant everything, was lying on the floor, crooked and forgotten. I stared at it for a long time. Did he really cry back then… or was that fake too? Outside, the sky was completely dark. A whole day and night had passed, and he never came back. Of course he didn’t. He was with her. I smiled a little, but it felt empty. I wiped the blood from my lips slowly, then took out the papers I prepared and placed them inside the mailbox at the front of the glass house. The first thing I grabbed was the test report from that cursed bouquet Chiara gave me yesterday. I opened it slowly, my fingers trembling, and my chest ached like someone had slammed a fist into it. The bouquet wasn’t just flowers. It was packed with intoxicating spices. The rogue wolf and the shadow lynx went berserk because of that. It wasn’t an accident. It was planned. Deliberate. And he never noticed, never questioned, never even blinked while I almost died. I clutched the second item, my hands shaking so hard the papers crumpled. It was my medical report from the hospital. The miscarriage. My child. My baby. All because he chose Chiara. Again. Just like that night with the rogue wolves, when I was thrown into their cage, my body battered, freezing, suffocating, and he… he saved her instead of me. He made me suffer through the silver whips for her apology show, and he let me bleed, thrash, nearly die, while she watched. And now I knew—he’d done it twice. Twice he’d indirectly killed a child I carried for him. And the third thing… my chest tightened when I held the broken diamond ring. The one he picked himself in Africa five years ago, polished until it shined a million times. A half-year of patience, a symbol of his devotion, he said. He said he’d love me forever, that I was the only one. That ring had meant everything. And now, it was nothing. He left it to remind me what love could look like when it was fake. I whispered to myself, almost laughing bitterly, “Drake, it was you… it was all you.” The helicopter’s roar cut through the sky and I squinted up, seeing a familiar face poking its head out. “Aren’t you leaving, Alice?” Alaric called. I hesitated a moment, then forced a smile through the burning pain in my chest. “Do you have a lighter, Alaric?” He whistled and tossed a box down. “That’s all I got.” “Good enough,” I said, gripping the match box tight. My fingers shook so badly, I thought I might drop it. Step by step, I walked toward the glass house. Every step burned in my legs, every breath in my chest was heavy with memories of what once felt like home. The walls had seen laughter, music, warmth, and now… they’d see fire. I thought about Drake. About his hands on me, soft and warm, the alpha that claimed me. About the nights I thought we shared something sacred. My throat hurt. My eyes burned. My heart felt like it had been hollowed out. And yet… I had to do this. I held up the match, my other hand pressed to my neck where his mark had been. The imprint burned under my fingers. Pain shot through me, sharp and deep, and I gritted my teeth. I whispered to the shadows of that glass house, to the ghosts of the life I lost, “I am Luna Chloe Brightman. I reject you, Alpha Drake Thornhill. I sever the bond. You are no longer mine.” The pain hit like a wave, electric, burning through my veins. I grabbed the mark and pulled. It screamed in my mind. My body convulsed, but I held on. I felt him inside me, the bond snapping, tearing apart. My lungs burned, my tears mixed with blood and sweat, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Not anymore. I struck the match. And I threw it at the glass house. The flames erupted immediately, roaring higher than I thought possible. I could see the windows shattering, the roof collapsing, and the rooms where my laughter had once lived now swallowed by fire. The scent of smoke and burning wood stung my nose, and my heart twisted. Every memory of him, every promise, every lie… everything vanished into the flames. Alaric’s voice came from behind me, steady and calm. “Are you okay, Chloe?” I nodded, but my lips barely moved. “I’m fine. I’m free now.” He didn’t argue. He knew better. I glanced back once at the burning house. And I felt it. The emptiness. The cold, crushing void. But I kept moving. Step by step, toward the helicopter. I climbed aboard, the engine shaking the night, the wind whipping my hair, the flames behind me like a warning to anyone who thought they could ever hold me again. “This is it. Goodbye, Drake. Goodbye, everything you ever promised.” The helicopter lifted into the sky, cutting through the darkness toward the ocean, and I let the wind carry away the last pieces of what he thought he owned. I was gone.