chapter 6

Bella's feet felt rooted to the ground, like she was nailed in place.

Inside, voices carried through the walls.

“The Alpha and Liliana still at it? What is that now, close to five hours?”

“Why rush them? The Alpha's unstoppable, and Liliana knows exactly how to keep him hooked. They'll keep going until they're worn out.”

“They're too loud about it though. And right in the room next door, too. I even heard her moaning halfway through. I had to crank my music to cover it or the Luna would've noticed. I almost lost it.”

“What's the big deal? Give it a few more times, you'll get used to it. The Alpha finally found a woman he actually enjoys. It's not only the Luna he cares about anymore. We should cover for him and let him have his fun." Then the werewolf laughed.

“The Luna's way too innocent. Liliana gets what guys like. She knows the Alpha needs more than one Omega to handle him.”

“Sure, the Luna's pretty, but she's way too uptight. Probably boring in bed too. Every guy wants someone wild, someone who makes it exciting.”

Bella couldn't take more.

Her ears rang, and she stumbled outside in shock.

The truth was clear. Everyone knew Ryan was cheating on her. Everyone except her.

Ryan's friends knew. The staff in the castle knew. Even the werewolves in the pack who bowed to her face knew. They had all been laughing at her behind her back. They had covered for Ryan, let her hold onto his empty promises, and watched her drown in Liliana's perfume and Ryan's lies.

Her chest felt like invisible hands were tearing her apart piece by piece. The pain crawled through her body, making even her bones ache.

It was a torrential downpour in the world outside, but she didn't notice.

Bella walked through it like a puppet without a soul until she reached the border station. She pressed her missing handprint against the scanner. The clerk stared at her soaked and broken figure before handing her a strip of dried hide.

“Ms. Winthrop, your withdrawal has been processed. You're free to leave the Nightshade Pack whenever you want.”

Her hand trembled as she took the contract, her fingers shaking against the ink of separation.

She went home alone, locked the door, and never came out.

From that day forward, Bella burned with fever. Her human body could not handle the harsh werewolf world's climate. The crushing weight of heartbreak only pushed her deeper into delirium.

The next day, Ryan returned and found her so sick she couldn't even recognize him. The sight nearly destroyed him. He panicked, shifted into his wolf form, and carried her to the hospital.

He went mad summoning the werewolf doctors. He searched for rare herbs to cool her fever and even poured his Alpha power into her to steady her breath. After a full day and night fighting for her life, Bella's fever finally broke. When she opened her eyes, Ryan was there, his bloodshot gaze fixed on her with raw fear.

Bella looked at him and felt like she didn't know him anymore. This was the man who had been in Liliana's bed only hours ago, and now he wore his concern like a mask. No one could act this well.

She closed her eyes and said nothing.

Ryan stayed by her side for two days straight, refusing to leave. On the third afternoon, his Beta rushed in and whispered in his ear. Ryan's face shifted, and when he looked back at Bella, his eyes carried hesitation. “Bella, I … something urgent came up with the pack. I have to deal with it.”

Before he finished, Bella cut him off with her eyes closed. “Go, then.”

Her voice was calm, but it cut deep. His chest tightened painfully.

He knew something was wrong, but he told himself she was only upset from being sick. He convinced himself he was imagining things.

He told the staff to take care of her and promised he'd return soon. Then he walked away.

Three days went by, but Ryan never came back. Instead, Bella's phone lit up with Liliana's name.

Liliana's voice came sharp and sweet. “Bella, I have good news. I'm pregnant with the Alpha's pup.

“He's been spending all his time with me these past few days, taking care of me nonstop. He carries me out of bed, feeds me with his own hands. And the doctor said we can resume our sex life because the first trimester's over. He was thrilled. That same night, he pinned me down again and again. He's even rougher now that I'm carrying his child. We must have tried dozens of positions in one night. I was worn out, but it felt incredible. I loved it.”

She laughed softly, then added, “Oops, maybe I said too much. You're not upset, are you? Don't blame the Alpha. You just can't carry his child since you're human. And really, what's more important? You with a fever or his pup?”

Her words dripped like poison. Once, they would have crushed Bella. She would have broken under the weight.

But now, she felt nothing. Maybe she had already gone numb. She didn't cry. She didn't scream. She didn't argue.

She only pressed record on her phone in silence.

I can't wait for you to hear this, Ryan. I wonder what the look on your face is going to be like.