Chapter 2

Lily POV

I knew that my Evans Pack was now in grave danger.

If I lost Moonclaw Pack's protection, those enemies and rogues who were eyeing us hungrily would be the first to rush in and tear us apart.

But besides Alex, could I find a more suitable mate?

Sebastian... If Sebastian would agree...

I lay in the hospital room, my heart an even deeper hollow of ice.

The weakness from blood loss still lingered.

Just then, Evan came in with a nurse to check on my condition.

No matter how strong a werewolf's healing ability was, being forcibly drained of large amounts of blood still required time to recover.

Without proper rest, recovery would be even slower.

The nurse recorded data while chatting casually with Evan.

"Hey, that Omega next door is really lucky. She just inhaled a bit of smoke, and Alpha Alex had all the traveling doctors come consult on her case."

"Yeah, making such a big deal out of it. Said he was worried about toxins."

I leaned against the bed, listening to those light, casual remarks, and actually laughed.

So Alex knew she wasn't poisoned at all.

He just wanted to punish me and make his lover happy.

I couldn't help but think of a year ago, when Alex and I were still deeply in love. I had gotten a minor injury during a joint hunt.

Back then, Alex had done the same thing.

He brought in all the doctors in the pack for me, his expression tense, as if I'd suffered some life-threatening injury.

At the time, I thought it was funny and sweet.

But now, he gave that same anxiety to another woman.

After the nurse left, beta Evan seemed to want to say something.

I raised my hand to stop him. "Don't bother. You can go. I'll rest for a bit."

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said softly, "Then get plenty of rest."

After I was alone in the room, I supported myself on the edge of the bed and slowly got up.

The weakness from blood loss remained. My steps felt light and unsteady.

I had just reached the door, wanting some fresh air, when I heard Evan's voice outside:

"Alpha Alex, shouldn't you go check on Lily? She's all alone, it's kind of pitiful..."

"What's pitiful about her?" Alex's voice was impatient, as if he was hurrying past. "Chloe is the victim. She's the perpetrator. What she's going through now is what she deserves."

I froze in place, my chest tightening.

The next second, I closed the door and returned to the room.

I didn't want to hear another word from him.

I suddenly remembered the night I fell in love with Alex.

Back then, I went to a high-end nightclub to meet with a strange Alpha, trying to find support for my Pack.

That guy shamelessly slipped his hand under my skirt. I angrily threw my drink in his face.

Just as the bastard grabbed my hair and was about to hit me, Alex appeared.

Without a word, he pinned the man to the ground, his fists smashing down again and again, so brutal it frightened me. It also made my heart race.

From that day on, I accepted Alex's help and secured a protection agreement from the Moonclaw Pack he represented.

And I also secretly decided in my heart that I was willing to give everything for this man.

I knew he liked "innocent" women.

So I changed my clothing style, my makeup, my way of speaking.

I became what everyone called "the epitome of gentleness." I became what he liked.

Only when I saw Chloe did I finally understand.

He didn't like me.

What he liked was the kind of "fragility" that aroused his pity.

No matter how much I imitated it, it was still just an act.

But her—she was naturally that way.

Thinking of this, I laughed.

Laughed at myself for knowing it was a trap but still throwing myself into it.

If that was the case, letting go was fine too.

At least this time, I was the one who said goodbye first.