chapter 5

The nurse said, "It's a bit serious. You should come take a look!"

Catherine froze. Werewolves were known for their incredible self-healing, and that was especially true for a pack's Alpha.

Could he really have donated so much blood that he passed out, as if he had given every drop in his body to Avra?

When she arrived, she saw Louis lying on the hospital bed, his face deathly pale.

From the extreme blood loss, even his ears had taken on a wolf-like shape.

Even though he was already barely conscious from weakness, he still murmured Avra's name.

How deeply must he love her to be like this?

Catherine stood frozen, thinking.

Even though her heart had long since grown cold, seeing her mate care so deeply for another woman made her chest tighten painfully.

In this love, she was always the one giving, and Louis seemed used to her selfless devotion.

But he had forgotten—she could feel heartbreak too.

Hours later, Louis finally woke. The first thing he said upon seeing Catherine was, "How is Avra? Is she okay?"

Catherine couldn't ignore the worry in his eyes.

Catherine forced down the bitterness in her chest and said softly, "She's fine now. The doctors said she'll be discharged soon."

Louis let out a sudden sigh of relief.

But soon, his gaze toward Catherine hardened, carrying a hint of reproach, as if his long-suppressed patience had finally reached its limit.

"Catherine, do you know Avra got into that accident because of you?

"You slapped her without thinking, and she was so upset she didn't watch the road. If I had arrived any later, she might have been dead!

"If anything had happened to Avra, I would never have forgiven you!"

He pushed all the blame onto Catherine.

But... it wasn't her fault.

If he knew what Avra had said, would he still think this way?

Catherine opened her mouth but realized she didn't want to say a single word.

Noticing the deep disappointment in Catherine's eyes, Louis softened, realizing he had been a little harsh.

With a long sigh, he said helplessly, "I didn't mean it that way, Catherine. I just hope… you don't target Avra anymore.

"She just ended her mate bond and returned to the Stormwind Pack. She's all alone and struggling—it's not easy for her.

"Be good, and when Avra is discharged, I'll take you home with me, okay?"

Catherine gave a faint, sarcastic smile and quietly said, "Alright."

She had lost all desire to explain herself.

After all, she would be leaving soon anyway.

For the next few days, Louis stayed in the hospital, carefully attending to Avra's needs.

"Alpha Louis is so thoughtful! He personally makes me chicken soup every day and feeds it to me, sip by sip…"

"I'm so touched! Thank you, Louis, for donating your blood—I really appreciate it!"

Watching Avra update her Twitter every day, Catherine's emotions shifted from bitter to almost completely numb.

The day Catherine went to handle her discharge papers, the weather was gloomy, the sky gray and heavy, and a steady rain began to fall.

At the corner of the staircase, Catherine overheard Louis talking with one of his friends.

"Alpha, when are you going to break up with Catherine? Avra is back. You're not seriously planning to become her mate, are you?"

Louis leaned against the wall, lit a cigar, and furrowed his brow. "I really can't let go of Avra. Hearing she got hurt hit me harder than anyone else. But…

"Catherine has been with me for so many years. I can't just abandon her either."

Catherine froze, losing the courage to take a step forward.

She hadn't expected that in Louis's heart, she, his fated mate, held no real attraction for him.

He only intended to make her his mate because she had stayed by his side all these years.

What had all my unwavering devotion over the years meant?

Feeling a sharp pang in her chest, Catherine trembled as she wiped her tears, straightened her back, and slowly returned home.

Just then, her agent contacted her—the mansion already had a buyer.

Catherine gave a few brief instructions that on the day she left the Stormwind Pack, the buyer could move in immediately.

Counting the days, there were only about two weeks left.

Next, she packed up the moonstones, the expensive jewelry, the pelts of rare prey, and the treated silver charms that Louis had given her to sell. All the proceeds would be donated to the Werewolf Kingdom's Disaster Relief Alliance.

Finally, she packed up her own belongings.

Once everything was organized, Catherine fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

By evening, Louis suddenly rushed home. The door slammed so loudly that it startled Catherine awake.

When she opened her eyes, Louis's crimson wolf eyes stared back at her.

"Catherine, why did you sell all the things I gave you? Didn't I tell you to wait for me to bring you home?"