Chapter 2

I slept terribly that night.

My dreams were filled with fragments of the past.

Liam and I had an arranged marriage to unite our packs.

We weren't fated mates, but we were surprisingly compatible.

At first, I had hesitated.

My parents respected my choices and told me to think it through.

But Liam was the one who swore to me.

"Emma, I swear I will never betray you!"

"I'm not like other Alphas. I'll cherish you forever!"

"You will be the only woman in my life!"

His vows felt like they were whispered just yesterday, but they had already become a joke.

When Chloe stood there with her red, teary eyes, looking so helpless...

I saw the pity and affection in Liam’s eyes.

The special devotion that once belonged only to me was given to another woman.

I had cried and confronted him, even slapping him hard across the face.

But all I got was his defensive excuse.

"Emma, this kind of thing is common among Alphas!"

"Besides, I didn't actually mark her!"

I broke down. I stopped eating and drinking. I even started hurting myself.

One night, Liam woke up in a panic and saw me standing on the window ledge, one foot already hanging off.

He burst into tears.

He held me tightly, dragging me back to the sofa.

Then he knelt on the floor, slapping himself repeatedly.

"Emma, I'll never say such stupid things again."

"I'll make Chloe leave. I'll make sure she never appears in front of you again."

Looking at him like that, my heart softened.

After that, things seemed to go back to normal.

But my heart, for some reason, grew numb and cold, until it was completely hollow.

Maybe I should have rejected him back then. But I was pregnant.

We had been trying for three years for this pup.

...

By the time I woke up, the sun was fully up.

I walked into the living room.

The table was covered with my favorite pastries.

Liam was looking at me eagerly.

"Emma, you must be starving."

"I got your favorite cake."

"Come, eat something."

He acted completely natural, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

He pulled out a chair for me and handed me the utensils.

I sat down in silence and started eating.

My body desperately needed nutrients right now, and I didn't have the energy to fight him.

Seeing me finish the food, Liam let out a sigh of relief.

He thought yesterday's fight had blown over.

"Emma, I have some pack alliances to handle, so I'll be away for a few days. Take good care of yourself at home."

I nodded calmly.

"When you get back, we'll officially dissolve our mate bond."

Liam’s expression instantly shattered.

He slammed his glass onto the floor, shattering it into pieces.

His voice was thick with anger and resentment.

"Emma, I've already compromised! What more do you want? Why do you have to push me so hard?"

"I'm telling you, Emma, I will never accept your rejection!"

Looking at his distorted, angry face, I felt surprisingly calm.

The old Emma would have dissolved into tears.

Back then, she loved Liam.

She couldn't bear to let him go, even when his heart wandered.

She would rather torture herself to give him another chance.

But now, I just didn't want him anymore.

"Liam, I'm leaving. This just makes room for your beloved Chloe. Why are you angry? I'm doing you a favor."

Liam grew even more furious.

"Emma! Don't be so unreasonable! I told you yesterday was the absolute last time. I did exactly what you wanted and made her leave the pack. We won't see each other again. What more do you want from me?"

"Besides, I never marked her! What do you want? The one I love is you! Only you!"

I laughed.

I laughed at how shameless he was.

"Liam. Do you really think I'm an idiot? Returning so late last night, the hickies on your neck, the scent of her on your clothes... and now this sudden 'pack business'."

"Liam, honestly, you are pathetic."

The room fell dead silent.

Liam’s chest heaved, his face turning pale and red.

I ignored him and walked straight out the door.

Liam must have forgotten.

When he knelt and begged to marry me, he swore that if he ever betrayed me, I could reject him at any time.

Now, this was the consequence he deserved.