I stared at the video on my screen, a bitter smile twisting my lips as I felt nothing inside. Completely numb.
I closed my eyes and counted silently. This was the 100th time. I couldn’t even remember when I had started becoming this emotionally dead to his betrayals.
But I knew that after the 105th time, I would leave Ethan Stone forever.
Ethan and I had been together for eight years.
Eight years ago, he saved me from a rogue wolf attack. My wolf recognized him as my true mate the first moment she saw him.
During these eight years, he had proposed 105 times. The last time was three months ago, right when I discovered I was pregnant.
So, I would tolerate 105 betrayals from him, because each one was him erasing the traces of our love with his own hands.
The pack healer helped me manage the silver poison and sent me home with strict instructions to rest. I barely made it to our bedroom before collapsing onto the bed, too exhausted to even change clothes.
At three in the morning, the bedroom door creaked open.
Ethan’s familiar scent filled the room as he slipped in, carrying something in his hands.
“Emma? Are you awake?” he whispered.
I kept my eyes closed, not wanting to face him.
“I know you’re awake,” he said softly. “Your heartbeat changes when you pretend to sleep.”
I reluctantly opened my eyes. “What do you want, Ethan?”
He sat on the edge of the bed, placing a small wooden box beside me. When he opened it, the scent of rare wolfsbane and moon herbs wafted through the air.
‘Special medicine from Elder Whitewood,” he explained, his face creased with what looked like genuine concern. “You mind–linked me earlier saying you weren’t feeling well, so I went to get this for you.”
He started mixing the herbs, creating a poultice.
watched him work, confusion tearing me apart. If he didn’t love me, why would he remember such intimate details? Why would he seek out rare medicine in the middle of the night? But if he did love me, why did he always choose Scarlett?
‘This will help with the pain,” he said, gently applying the mixture to my chest. His touch was tender, careful not to press too hard. “And it’ll protect our pup.”
The minty scent of the herbs mingled with something else–jasmine perfume. Scarlett’s signature scent clung to his clothes and skin.
As he worked, he whispered against my ear, “Trust me, Emma. I’ll give you the most perfect, grand ceremony a mate could ask for.”
His hand gently stroked my back, lingering at my waist, trying to pull me closer to him.
Chapter 2
7:31 pm DDDD
Normally, I would enjoy his touch. But feeling his breath on my neck, inhaling Scarlett’s perfume on his skin, I felt sick. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and subtly avoided his attempt to kiss me.
“Ethan, the healer said we can’t be intimate right now. It could harm the baby.”
He stiffened. In the darkness, I could feel his silence. Finally, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “Rest well.”
The next morning, I woke to find Ethan gone. My phone buzzed with new notifications–more photos. This time of Ethan in the shower.
Despite the steam obscuring parts of the image, his perfect physique was clearly visible. Especially the long scar across his taut abs–the wound he received saving me from that rogue wolf eight years ago.
I remember him covered in blood, still holding my hand, whispering, “Emma, I will never let anything hurt you.”
I wiped away a tear. Never let anything hurt me? Then what was all this?
I called Ethan–today was my prenatal appointment, and he needed to be there as the father. I prepared myself for no answer, but was shocked when Scarlett picked up instead.
“Emma, oh, I mean my future sister–in–law,” her voice dripped with fake sweetness. “My brother is still sleeping. He exhausted himself making me happy last night.”
After hanging up, I looked at the healer, my decision made.
“Doctor,” I said firmly, “I don’t want this baby anymore.”
And not just the baby. Ethan Stone–I didn’t want him either.
