Chapter 13
“You never listen when I tell you to
dress warmer!” he scolded with a tone
of false concern.
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་ད
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༦,, ་་་, ད
пусус
as I slipped into unconsciousness.
When I came to, still groggy, Elise was sitting beside me, putting on a show of guilt.
“This is all my fault. Audrey only got sick because she built that snowman
for me.”
She paused, then added sweetly, “Why don’t I help her relax a bit? I’ve been learning some physical therapy lately. I can give her a soothing session.”
Her voice trembled with faux innocence, and without hesitation, Alpha Jerome agreed.
My body began to tremble
uncontrollably.
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She said it was to help me, but it was just another excuse to use me as her practice dummy.
The last time I refused, they pinned me to the floor like I was nothing.
Elise had no real training–clumsy, careless, and completely unskilled. She spilled alcohol across my back, and it instantly ignited.
I screamed in agony, thrashing on the ground, and to this day, the scars
remain.
I thought of that moment as I forced my eyes open, trying to speak.
Alpha Jerome immediately signaled the doctor. A needle slid into my arm, and numbness took over.
Powerless, I watched Elise excitedly
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Her voice was unusually soft, almost
gentle.
“Don’t be afraid. This will feel nice.
You’ll be fine.”
But I refused to even look at her. I shut
my eyes, disgusted.
The grip on my arm suddenly tightened.
Alpha Jerome gave a sharp scoff and let go as if in frustration, stepping back–but not far.
Then Elise began sticking needles into my body–rough hands, cruel angles. Each point she struck was like lightning under my skin. Pain lanced through me, and I writhed, my legs twitching uncontrollably.
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Desperate, I turned my head to Alpha
Jerome.
But his eyes were locked tenderly on Elise, as if I didn’t exist.
Elise giggled, fumbling with a fire cup, trying several times before she managed to light the alcohol stick.
My heart pounded as I stared at the flame, praying silently nothing would
go wrong.
But in the very next instant, Elise
screamed.
The flaming stick slipped from her fingers—and landed squarely on my
head.
My hair caught fire instantly, but I couldn’t move. My body was still
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Alpha Jerome rushed over and put
out the flames just in time.
For a split second, panic flickered in his eyes—like something precious had nearly been lost. He reached for me gently.
But before his hand touched me, Elise
whimpered.
“My finger… it hurts. I think it’s blistering!”
Alpha Jerome yanked his hand back
and ran to find a first aid kit for her.
By the time I could feel my limbs again, most of my hair had burned off. Thankfully, my scalp was spared.
I picked up a pair of scissors and shakily trimmed the ruined strands.
Lifting my eyes to the mirror Icaught
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sight of Alpha Jerome standing behind me.
His gaze lingered on the charred ends of my hair. For a moment, something like pity crossed his face.
He reached out, as if to take the
scissors and help me.
But instinctively, I screamed.
Alpha Jerome froze, stunned. Seeing the fear in my eyes, something
seemed to sink in.
He scoffed, voice cold. “Like I’d even
want to touch you.”
I didn’t respond. My indifference only
made his temper flare.
“Audrey, who do you think you’re giving attitude to?”
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Before, I would’ve scrambled to
smooth things over at the slightest
shift in his mood.
But not anymore.
I stayed silent, my face unreadable.
Alpha Jerome stared at me for a long moment, then turned and slammed the door behind him as he left.
Once my hair was in order, I began packing my things.
I mailed the important items home— everything else I left behind.
The Moon Shadow Pack–my family’s pack—had risen from the ashes. My years of endurance had not been in
vain.
My parents were eager for me to
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My parents were eager for me to return. Though Alpha Jerome and I had held a wedding, we’d never signed the marriage license.
Which meant I could walk away
whenever I wanted.
By the time I finished packing, it was already past midnight.
Alpha Jerome still hadn’t returned, which suited me just fine.
