Alpha,Our Marriage Died Long Ago

chapter 3

After injuring my leg, l decided to rest properly. With me out of commission, no one was left to tidy the cabin or prepare meals.

Lucas glanced at me lounging on the mat and snapped, “Mother, just because you're hurt doesn't mean you can't cook.i'm growing-l need proper nutrition.

His tone dripped with blame and irritation.

I gave a short, bitter laugh.“sorry,but I've got a fractured leg.l can't exactly whip up dinner like this.

River's wolf snarled, sharp with disapproval,"Come on, Lucas, we'll hunt ourselves."

He raised his voice, calling to the boy gnawing on dried meat, “Let's go,Lucas, We'll handle it."

Before they could leave, Scarlett swept gracefully into the cabin.“I heard Vera's leg is injured. Don't worry1'll prepare food for you."

River flicked me a cold glance, then immediately softened as he turned to her, “Your wrist is still hurt. You shouldn't be handling prey at all.”"

Lucas tossed aside his jerky with a cheer, "yay! Scarlett, you're the best!see, Mother? You're not so important.Without you, Father and l won't starve.He stuck out his tongue and mimicked a wolf cub's playful gesture.

I ignored him. My wolf didn't bother to respond either.

Scarlett's "preparation" turned out be meals she had bought from other wolves.“l made these back at my cabin. I didn't want to dirty your kitchen and upset Vera," she said sweet

I looked once at the bland food and said nothing. River and Lucas devoured it happily, showering scarlett with praise. Their wolves purred with satisfaction.

In all my years of cooking for them had never heard a single word of appreciation.Only complaints

"Vera, this meat is too tough.

"Vera, both the venison and boar are tee gamey don't you know how to prepare them properly?"

"Mom, i told you i hate rabbit, why did you make it again? it's disgusting!

Scarlett smiled at me, her eyes glinting with smugness. "Vera, you haven't eaten yet, have you? why don't you join us?'

"No thanks. I'm not hungry." My wolf echoed the refusal.

River pressed a hand lightly over hers.“Don't bother with her.

Scarlett gave a little shrug, feigning helplessness.

After dinner, she produced a berry dessert,"Lucas, l know you love sweets so l mads this just for you.”

His face lit up with joy as he took it,grinning wide, Then Scarlett turned and handed me a piece, Her pale wolf eyes glinted with malice, "Vera, you should try some too, i heard your father died carly in a hunt and your family was always poor, i suppose you didn't gettreats like this often growing up?”

I started to excuse myself, claiming my ankle hurt, but River's Alpha command cut through the air.“Vera.Don't you dare, Eat it."

His wolf's dominance pressed down on mine, leaving me no choice. He hauled me to the table and shoved the plate in front of me.

I bit down, forced by his order Within moments, my throat began to itch, my breath seizing. My wolf writhed in agony.

I rasped out, panicked.“This has jasmine wolf bane in it doesn’t it?”

Jasmine is harmless to most-but to the rare few like me, its poison.Severe reactions can kill.

Scarlett widened her eyes, all innocence.“of course not. Why would ever add jasmine wolf bane?

But i knew what I tasted. My wolf knew it too.

"Yes, it's there.l can taste it"l croaked.”

River and Lucas immediately sided With her, their voices sharp with accusation, "stop making things up Why would she poison dessert?

i staggered toward the herb shelves, desperate for the antidote. My lunge burned, my throat swelling shut.Lucas darted ahead, snatching up the vial first.

"scarlett says it's nothing-just a stomachache, Apologize to her and l'll give you the antidote," he taunted,holding the bottle behind his back.

My voice broke, nearly gone. "Hurry.i can't breathe." My wolf's cries were fading into silence, i collapsed to my knees, reaching for him. "please... .give me the antidote..”

But he wouldn't hand it over, fun til l begged scarlstt for forgiveness.

Searlett tugged lightly at River’s arm, her whits wolf painting her in faise concern, "River, she looks serious Maybe you should let her have it.”

He clasped her hand, lips curling in disdain, "How could this be real? You’d never hurt her, You're too kind," His wolf's gaze was cold, “she's faking it to cause trouble, Let her act.”

They stood there together, watching me crumble.

My vision blurred, breath clawing at my throat, chest seizing. My wolf grew weaker, slipping into unconsciousness.

i collapsed fully, the world narrowing into black,

That was when River finally moved panic cracking through his mask. His wolf's howl ripped through the cabin,frantic,"Vera!”

And Lucas's terrified voice followed breaking at the edges. “Mom!”