Chapter 3

Amelia Johnson POV

After escaping from the hospital, I locked myself in the villa for three whole days.

So the pendant I had carefully treasured was someone else's discarded garbage.

So what I thought was passion was just a tool for venting.

So my joyful late-night companionship was just witnessing a prolonged confession.

Four years, one thousand four hundred and sixty days: I had become a complete substitute, a shadow.

Not even a shadow, just an insignificant background prop in his love story.

On the fourth day, Beta Henry knocked on my door:

"Amelia, Alpha William wants you and sir to remember to attend the gathering tonight."

I didn't refuse.

This was Moonclaw Pack's rule: a monthly banquet, rain or shine.

I spent a long time using thick concealer to hide the exhaustion and pallor on my face.

I changed into a proper long dress and played the role of Nathaniel's gentle and virtuous mate once again.

This would be the last time.

In the evening, Nathaniel came home, his face slightly paler than usual but still upright.

Seeing me, he only nodded faintly as a greeting, then went straight upstairs to change.

From beginning to end, he didn't ask why I had suddenly left that day or how I'd been these past few days.

As if I were just a prop needed to attend the banquet together.

The pack's council hall was built large and usually served the function of hosting banquets as well.

The huge dining table was filled with pack members, but the atmosphere was as oppressive as always.

No one dared to make noise around the stern and rigid Alpha William.

Nathaniel's father, Alpha William, sat at the head of the table.

Halfway through the meal, an elder spoke up with concern:

"Nathaniel, you and Amelia have been together for four years. Why hasn't she gotten pregnant yet?"

At these words, everyone's gaze focused on my flat abdomen.

Oh no.

Nathaniel put down his utensils and wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his tone indifferent:

"No rush."

These three casual words instantly ignited Alpha William's fury. He slammed his fork heavily on the table.

"No rush?!"

William glared at him.

"You're already thirty years old. How much longer do you want to wait? Amelia, as Nathaniel's mate, don't you have any sense of responsibility?!"

The attack instantly turned toward me.

I put down my fork, stood up, and bowed my head slightly:

"Dad, it's my fault."

"Of course it's your fault!"

William's voice grew even harsher. His sharp gaze cut into me like a knife.

"I heard that a few days ago, Nathaniel gave a lot of blood for that human woman! Alpha blood is so precious and powerful. How can it be casually given to others, especially to a fragile human?! You're his mate and you were there. Why didn't you stop him from doing something so dangerous and reckless?!"

"Dad, this was my own decision."

Nathaniel frowned and spoke up.

"You shut up!"

William scolded.

"You don't get to speak here! Amelia, you've been married to Nathaniel for four years without bearing an heir for the pack. Now you can't even take care of Nathaniel's health, letting him deplete himself for some damned human! You're failing completely as a mate!"

Yes, this was another reason I decided not to continue the marriage arrangement.

This Alpha William was even more domineering and tyrannical than a king.

Especially, he hated all women.

That included me, of course.

He believed women should stay obediently at home, locked up in chains, only needed to bear children.

So his mate, that brave Luna, tried to resist and ultimately chose suicide.

The death of his fated mate only intensified this tyrant's obsession.

In these four years, I had endured too many such insults. I hadn't planned to respond.

But William gestured to a nearby servant.

The servant immediately brought over a bowl of dark, bitter-smelling medicine.

"This is medicine I specially had the healer prepare for you. It will help you get pregnant. Drink it!"

William commanded.

I looked at the bowl of medicine, my stomach churning.

For the first time, I chose to resist.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I won't drink this medicine."

Everyone was shocked, including Nathaniel, who looked at me with surprise.

William's face turned ashen. He pointed at my nose and roared:

"You dare defy me! Are you challenging Moonclaw Pack's rules? Guards!"

Two tall guards immediately stepped forward.

"Take her to the yard! Give her ten lashes with the silver whip!"

I didn't resist, letting the guards drag me out.

From beginning to end, Nathaniel just sat there, watching coldly.

He didn't even say a word in my defense, only looking away the moment I was taken out.

As if what was about to happen in the yard had nothing to do with him.

The late autumn night was bitterly cold.

William was always strict. He had established many rules.

This wasn't my first time being punished, but it would be my last.

Wounds left by silver weapons were difficult to heal. The cold penetrated through the wounds into my bones, making me shiver all over, yet I also felt a burning pain spreading.

Through the study window, I could clearly see Nathaniel's silhouette.

He didn't come out. He sat on the study sofa, holding his phone and making a call.

I couldn't see his expression, but I could imagine that the person on the other end must be Sophia.

Time passed minute by minute. The intense pain and cold from my back gradually blurred my consciousness.

After the whipping ended, I felt my body growing colder and heavier, and the scene before my eyes began to spin.

In the second before I completely lost consciousness, I saw Nathaniel in the study finally hang up the phone, stand up, and draw the curtains.

He completely shut out my last shred of hope.

So he simply didn't care.

Everything went black.

Then nothing.