The pure, unwavering hatred in his eyes sent shivers down my spine.
What kind of hatred would drive an Alpha to drag me down with him?
The exhaustion from a sleepless night made my head feel like it was about to explode.
With my last ounce of strength, I pushed past the messenger wolves and staggered away, breaking into an unsteady run.
As I approached the first territory marker outside the hunting grounds, Liam’s pack runner pulled up beside me.
“If you don’t want those messengers to keep following you, get in.”
I looked back at the commotion behind me.
In the end, I opened the carrier and entered.
After sitting down, I realised blood had soaked through my legs and spread across the seat beneath me.
Panicking, I tried to cover the stain, but it was too late; Liam had already noticed it.
His brows furrowed as he turned slightly towards me.
“The pup… is it alright?”
I was about to reply when his crystal rang.
Nova’s soft, tearful voice emanated from the speaker.
“Liam, my pack is pressuring me to accept the arranged mating ceremony again… What should I do? My father said I only have a week left. Please, think of something…”
A young she-wolf’s heartbreak always sounded tragic.
Sure enough, at her words, Liam abruptly stopped the pack runner, bringing it to a halt at the edge of the territory. A long silence ensued.
Then he finally spoke.
“One week is more than enough. Wait for me I’ll challenge for your hand.”
He ended the call after saying a few more reassuring words.
A deafening silence filled the carrier.
We did not speak for a long time.
Then Liam turned to look at me, his expression conveying an emotion I couldn’t quite understand.
“It’s just playing along with a pup’s game. Don’t take it seriously.”
When I did not respond, he restarted the carrier and asked gently,
“Where were we again?”
I stared blankly at the bustling territories outside the window, the wolves and packs all moving forward, living their lives.
My mind was blank.
Like a puppet, I mechanically repeated his words.
“I don’t know. I forgot too.”
Liam nodded and said nothing else.
The rest of the journey was spent in complete silence.
It was only then that I realised what had happened.
My mate. Was about to challenge another she-wolf.
And it just happened to be on the day I was supposed to leave the Black Moon Pack. How ironic.
Half an hour later, the carrier arrived at the location of my den. After I got off the carrier, Liam stared at my seat for quite some time. Perhaps the bloodstain reminded him of the topic on which we were interrupted.
So he took two quick steps forward while holding my hand. ‘Isabelle, you don’t look very good. Yesterday during the ceremony… Are you OK?I wrapped my cloak tightly around myself without looking back. ‘It’s fine. ‘I attempted to break free from Liam’s grip and walk into the den. But the next second, he yelled, “Isabelle!”‘
Do you realise how annoying you are being like this? I am your Alpha and mate, and you always treat me in such a cold manner! You can tell me what you are dissatisfied with! But you’re so annoying like this! Don’t you have pack instinct?’
