chapter 4
759 Words
I gritted my teeth and knelt down.
As long as... as long as he would return the painting to me.
But he did not honour his promise. Instead, he raised the painting high and smashed it violently onto the ground.
"No!" I cried out in anguish.
The protective glass shattered with a crack. He picked up the painting inside, raised his hand, and tore it to shreds.
It was Grandmother's final work before her passing, intended for her future son-in-law.
Grandmother was a master werewolf painter; her works were priceless.
All strength drained from my body, and I collapsed onto the ground in despair.
Suddenly, the headlights of a car illuminated me from nearby.
"Aria!"
Alpha Marcus appeared before me, his expression urgent, his gaze filled with heartfelt concern.
He raised his hand, carefully wiping me down with his bespoke suit, seemingly not the slightest bit bothered by the grime.
He took me to Silver Moon Hospital. Throughout the treatment, I didn't utter a single word to him, yet he kept asking questions with urgent concern.
As I lay resting with my eyes closed in the hospital ward, he arranged for a highly paid nutritionist to prepare meals and deliver them overnight. He also secured a specialist medical team to oversee my care.
The nurse outside the door, before leaving, looked at me with such envy she might as well have told me to my face how fortunate I was.
I calmly pulled out my phone. "Hello, is this the police? I need to report an incident—I've been—"
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, and the phone was snatched away, the call abruptly terminated.
I lifted my gaze to Alpha Marcus.
He pursed his lips and explained, "Aria, Selena's family home was burgled and is unsafe. Since you've been staying at the hospital with your father, I agreed to let her parents move into that house for now."
"As for them saying Selena is my Luna, that's utterly untrue. I made it clear to Selena long ago: my Luna can only ever be you—Aria. No one else."
"Selena is my sister. My relationship with her merely fulfils my need for familial affection. My heart belongs to you, and the company belongs to both of us! Selena acted improperly in this matter. I shall have her come and apologise to you. As for reporting it to the police, I don't think that's necessary, is it?"
Every word he spoke was defending Selena. I clenched my fists and let out a bitter laugh.
"Alpha Marcus, that was our bridal suite. Yet you allowed your so-called sister's parents to enter at will. What do you take me for? If you cherish her so deeply, why not dissolve our partnership? I'll make room for you both."
My father was hit by Selena, yet he demanded I endure it, that I forgive her.
I was humiliated by Selena's parents, yet he still demanded I endure it, still demanded I forgive!
He rushed to me in panic, reaching out to pull me back. "I won't dissolve it! I love you so much—how could I possibly dissolve our partnership? I told you, it's truly just familial affection between us—"
With a loud bang, the front door burst open, cutting his words short.
Selena spotted me, hurried forward, and knelt before me. "Luna Aria, it's my fault. Blame me, but please don't make things difficult for my parents. I beg you!"
Alpha Marcus rushed over to help her up.
"Selena, what are you doing? Rest assured, with me here, no one will trouble your parents!"
Selena threw her arms around Alpha Marcus in a flurry of emotion, her gaze fixed on me, brimming with defiance.
Before departing, she claimed to feel unwell and insisted Alpha Marcus escort her.
Selena's relentless provocation pushed me over the edge. I called out to Alpha Marcus as he prepared to leave.
Gritting my teeth, I snarled at him, "Alpha Marcus, I said it—I want to dissolve our partnership!"
Alpha Marcus stood rooted to the spot, his expression unconcerned.
I knew he must have assumed I was merely using the threat of dissolution as a tactic, just as I had done before.
"Aria, Selena is still young. She lacks resilience. Don't take what she says or does seriously. I'll take her home first and come back later."
After Alpha Marcus left, I slumped my shoulders in exhaustion, tears streaming down my cheeks.
My wolf spirit wept sorrowfully within me.
- Writer
