chapter 9

Screech—

The sound of brakes cut through the night. Zane grunted as his body jerked forward, slamming into the steering wheel.

A cold sweat drenched his temples. Deep in his soul, a tearing sensation ripped through him—as if his very tendons and bones were being shredded.

“What’s happening?!” he gritted out, vision blurring with pain. “This agony… It’s a mate bond breaking! Did something happen to Scarlett?!”

In his mind, Ron howled in anguish, yet still denied arrogantly, “Impossible! She hasn’t even awakened her wolf soul—how could she sever the bond alone? It must be the pup! Something’s wrong with Xiyue and the child!”

“Right… Xiyue and the pup…” Zane shook his head, trying to clear the daze and suppress the dread coiling inside him.

His lies had been flawless; there was no way Scarlett could have uncovered his betrayal.

She had nowhere to go, no ability to carve runes anymore—where could she possibly go without him?

She couldn’t leave him. She simply couldn’t…

He repeated the words like a mantra, unsure whether he was trying to bury his unease or desperately avoid a truth he could never face.

Clenching his jaw against the soul-rending pain, he stomped on the accelerator. The car lurched forward, speeding like an arrow toward the Mistveil Pack apartments.

When he arrived, he didn’t even bother to lock the car. Immediately, he let Ron take over.

A silver-grey wolf flashed under the moonlight, bounding up to the top floor.

He pushed open Cecilia’s door, breathing heavily, only to find her lounging on the couch in a silk nightgown, laughing at a drama playing from a moonstone projector.

He understood instantly—all that talk of stomach pains and nausea had been a lie.

A frown creased his brow. Annoyance flickered within him.

“Have you grown too bold? I’ve spent half a month with you—no time for Scarlett, no proper preparations for our ceremony. How dare you use the child to deceive me?”

Tears instantly welled in Cecilia’s eyes. Her delicate form swayed like a white flower as she rushed toward him, pressing against his chest and sobbing,

“I just missed you! Pregnancy is hard—is it wrong to want you here with me?”

Zane’s anger wavered. He couldn’t bring himself to crush something so fragile. Seeing her like this, his irritation melted away. He held her— gently.

Every time Cecilia acted helpless, he fell for it.

He loved that soft, pleading look. It was what had drawn him in the first place—the thrill of being needed, of being strong for someone who leaned on him completely. That was why he’d stayed with her.

Cecilia was nothing like Scarlett. She was an awakened werewolf who knew how to please him with her pheromones, how to bend to his will.

Scarlett, even unawakened and weak, carried a stubborn pride in her bones. She would never learn to show weakness.

Noting the anger fading from Zane’s eyes, Cecilia nestled closer, rubbing her nose against his like a kitten, a coaxing smile on her lips,

“Zane, I only feel safe when you’re here. I love you so much…”

She leaned in to kiss him.

Normally, he wouldn’t refuse.

But it suddenly hit him—if Cecilia and the pup were fine, then that soul-tearing agony could only mean one thing…

A chill swept over him. Cold sweat beaded on his skin. He didn’t even stop to wonder when Scarlett had secretly awakened her wolf soul. All the little things he’d overlooked now rushed back like a flood.

He realized he hadn’t seen her smile in a long time. She had always watched him calmly, as if nothing he did could touch her.

His heart began to pound. A terrifying thought shattered all his denial, Had she really broken their bond? Or… had she discovered everything, and was that pain the sound of their bond shattering under the weight of her despair?

He shoved Cecilia away—hard.

She fell to the floor. Since being with Zane, aside from the occasional scolding when Scarlett was mentioned, she had been spoiled and cherished. He had never pushed her away like this.

Stunned, she sat on the ground, watching as Zane turned and walked out.

“Zane…”

Her cries triggered the motion-sensor lights in the hallway, but they didn’t slow his steps. Scrambling up in panic, she rushed after him, only to hear him throw one sentence over his shoulder,

“I’m going back to find Scarlett. Stay here and behave yourself.”

Zane raced to the underground garage, got into his car, and sped off without a backward glance. Cecilia chased after him, screaming his name, but he never looked back.

Watching the car vanish into the distance, consumed by the thought that Zane had abandoned her for Scarlett, Cecilia clenched her fists, resentment burning in her eyes. She pulled out her communicator and sent a message to Scarlett,

“Scarlett, if you have any self-respect, leave him now. Zane doesn’t need a deaf, barren, crippled Luna.”