Chapter 4

"Jack, did you not hear me calling you?"

"Or... do you think I'm a burden, too?"

"Maybe I should just leave. I'm only causing trouble for you anyway."

If this had happened before, I would have rolled my eyes so hard they’d fall out.

But now, surprisingly, I actually felt a twinge of pity for her.

Jack panicked and rushed to deny it.

"Lily, how could you be a burden?"

"I just didn't hear you over the noise. Wait here, I'll fix you breakfast right now."

Jack scrambled toward the kitchen in a hurry.

Watching him leave for Lily, I breathed a sigh of relief. Lily's timing was immaculate.

After breakfast, a new problem arose.

I had to go to work, but I wasn't comfortable leaving Tom alone in the house with the two of them.

Tom seemed to sense my worry and said gently:

"Emma, go to work. Don't worry about me."

"It's not like I haven't lived alone before. You know me, I can manage basic stuff by myself."

I glanced toward the kitchen.

Jack happened to step out, offering a cold sneer.

"What do you take me for?"

"Do you honestly think I’d lay a finger on a cripple?"

I offered a tense smile.

Was I seriously suspecting my own mate's character?

Even though Jack had been emotionally volatile lately, he was a true Alpha.

I chose to mate with him precisely because of his strong sense of responsibility.

That was just how city wolves were.

I had once wondered if I should hold out for my fated mate, but everyone told me the Moon Goddess's blessing was rare. I might wait my entire life and never meet him.

So, you know... I settled on Jack.

He took great care of his packmates, respected the elders, and before Lily showed up, we had a genuinely happy mated life.

In pack business, he was fair, decisive, and deeply respected.

I really shouldn't be doubting his morals.

Reassured, I finally headed out for work.

At the office, though, my mind kept drifting.

A few coworkers noticed I was distracted and asked if everything was okay.

I watched the clock until the second my shift ended, then bolted straight back to the house.

The moment I pushed the door open, I saw Tom sprawled on the hardwood floor, looking bruised and battered.

I rushed over, frantically checking on him.

Tom gritted his teeth, holding back tears.

"Emma, I'm fine... really."

Jack scoffed from the hallway. "Of course he's fine. He's totally faking it."

"Emma, don't let this pathetic act fool you."

Tom lowered his gaze, his lips trembling, eyes glistening with tears.

"Emma, I really am a burden. I only bring misery to this house... You should just let me go."

That line sounded oddly familiar, though I couldn't remember where I had heard it before.

Without skipping a beat, Jack piped up in agreement.

"I think he's right. Having him here is way too much trouble. Emma, let him pack his bags."

A wave of rage surged through my chest. I opened my mouth to tear into him, but out of the corner of my eye, I caught the redness rimming Tom's eyes.

Almost instantly, a strange calm washed over me.

When I really thought about it, the mate bond between Jack and me was already dead in all but name. Breaking it was probably for the best.

Tom’s legs were shattered. If he stayed in this house, who knew what other misery he'd suffer when I wasn't around?

Leaving was the cleanest choice for everyone.

I nodded quietly. "Fine."

Jack grinned, visibly relieved. "Emma, I'm glad you finally came to your senses."

I looked him dead in the eye, perfectly serious.

"Given the state of things, we really should separate."

"Jack, let's break our mate bond."

Jack stared at me in pure disbelief. "Emma, what are you saying? You want to reject our mate bond over some crippled Alpha?"