Chapter 4

When he finally came back, he looked terrible. Dark circles bruised the skin under his eyes.

But there was a terrifying, cold resolve in his gaze.

The veins in his neck bulged, his breathing heavy as if he were fighting his own body.

I could feel the suffocating tension. My inner wolf sensed the imminent danger, whimpering in sheer terror.

"Lily Miller," he said, his voice flat and lifeless. "I reject you as my fated mate."

Those words pierced my chest like a silver blade. It wasn't just the agonizing pain of the mate bond tearing apart; it was the biological collapse of an Omega being rejected by her Alpha. It felt like my entire world was being violently deleted.

An excruciating, tearing pain exploded in my chest, radiating down to my fingers and toes.

My lower abdomen cramped violently. The pain was so sharp I collapsed onto the floor, curling into a ball. Warm, thick blood began to seep through my clothes.

Ethan stood there, his face completely pale. His hand twitched, wanting to reach out, but he forced himself to stay still.

His inner wolf was howling in absolute fury, demanding he throw himself down, lick my wounds, and take back those cursed words. But the man stood rigid.

He never reached out to help me.

The pup was gone.

Just like that, as if it had never existed.

Ethan and Sophia came to visit me in the pack clinic.

The first thing I asked him was, "When is Buddy coming back?"

"I've sent someone to fetch him. Just focus on recovering." An annoyed frown creased his forehead.

Sophia stepped forward, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Ethan has been so busy with pack matters. He hasn't slept a full night in days."

She opened a thermos she brought with her.

"I made some chicken soup for you, Miss Miller. Drink it while it's hot. It's good for recovery."

Greasy yellow oil floated on the surface of the soup. Just looking at it made me want to vomit.

Sophia lowered her head in disappointment. "I understand if you hate me and don't want to eat anything I made. But I spent hours simmering this broth. I just don't want it to go to waste."

Ethan immediately ordered, "It's just soup. Drink it."

Knowing Buddy was still in his hands, I didn't dare anger him. I forced down the nausea and swallowed the greasy liquid.

Sophia smiled sweetly and handed me a tissue. As she leaned in close, she whispered in my ear:

"How does Buddy taste?"

My brain went completely blank. I stared at her.

Her smile was pure venom. "You raised him well. He made a wonderful broth."

The realization hit me like a physical blow. I screamed, throwing the bowl at the wall, and lunged at Sophia, wrapping my fingers tightly around her throat.

"What did you say?! Say it again!"

Ethan grabbed my arms and violently slapped me across the face, tearing me off her. "Are you out of your mind?!"

I stared at him, cold sweat dripping down my back. "Where is Buddy?"

I grabbed Ethan's shirt. He was my last hope.

Ethan checked Sophia's neck for bruises before turning his angry gaze back to me. "I told you he is fine! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Let me see him! I want to see him right now!" I sobbed, begging him like a dog.

Ethan had never seen me look so pathetic. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

But as the line connected, his face suddenly drained of color. Panic seized me. I reached for the phone.

Ethan grabbed my wrists, pinning me down. "Lily... Buddy was old. He died of natural causes. You can't blame anyone for that."

Sophia stood in the corner, watching my agonizing breakdown with a hidden, satisfied smirk.

The doctors injected me with a heavy dose of sedatives. I finally went quiet, seemingly accepting Buddy's death.

For the next few days, I became a perfect, obedient doll.

Tomorrow was the Mate Ceremony. And right after the ceremony, I would be handed over to Marcus.

"This is the heirloom necklace of the Johnson family. Only the Luna can wear it." Ethan handed me a velvet box.

"Once this is all over, I'll take you to get a new dog. And we will have more pups."

Ethan began describing the future he had built in his head. "Our kids will run around the yard with the puppy. The house will be so lively."

I didn't open the box. I closed my eyes. "I'm tired. I need to wake up early tomorrow."

Ethan didn't suspect a thing. "Lily, you'll be the most beautiful bride tomorrow."