Chapter 3
I looked back. My gaze was cold and empty.
All I felt was irony.
“Apologize?” I scoffed. “Alpha Gabriel, are you insane?”
In the next second, his hand tightened around my waist. He pressed down directly on my old wound.
The one from the silver dagger. It still hadn't healed.
A sharp pain made me gasp. Cold sweat soaked my back.
I pushed him away.
I didn’t use much strength, but Linda still fell under the table. Her face turned pale, and she struggled to breathe.
“What are you doing!” I shouted.
Alpha Gabriel shoved me hard.
My forehead slammed into the edge of the table. Blood poured out instantly.
“I think you’re the one who’s lost it!” he growled.
“Linda already bowed her head. I’ve explained everything. What more do you want?”
“Apologize. Or you can try me.”
I clenched my jaw and forced down my anger.
Word by word, I said:
“No. I. Won’t.”
“You want me to apologize to your mistress?” I glared at him. “Keep dreaming.”
“You don’t know what’s good for you!”
His eyes were bloodshot. He was on the edge of losing control.
He picked Linda up and carried her to the bedroom. Before entering, he waved toward the door.
“Bring all the Omegas.”
A few minutes later, a house Omega arrived. Gabriel’s voice was cold.
“Where’s the silver chain?”
“Make Sybella kneel in the center of the estate. She needs to reflect.”
“She doesn’t get up without my command.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Alpha Gabriel, I’m supposed to be your Luna.”
He didn’t answer. Just gave me a look and walked away.
He’s lost it. I repeated in my head.
Then I heard a familiar voice.
“Don’t be afraid, Sybella.”
“I’m here.”
It was Alice, my wolf.
An older Omega approached, holding a silver chain.
It was used for punishment. Silver blocks the wolf soul, stops transformations, cuts off prayer to the Moon Goddess.
Two Omegas dragged me outside.
My knees scraped across the stone. Blood streaked the ground.
The door slammed shut behind me. Thunder cracked overhead.
Then came the rain.
I knelt under the storm. My wounds burned.
The rain activated the silver poison. It tore through me again.
My vision blurred.
“Don’t close your eyes.”
Alice’s voice was faint, almost drowned by the rain.
“The silver is suppressing me... but if you stay awake, our bond won’t break.”
I lifted my head and looked at the Omega watching from under the roof.
My voice was faint.
“Let me go… Call Alpha Gabriel… please…”
The Omega glanced at me and sneered.
“Cut the act. I’ve seen this trick before.”
“Alpha Gabriel ordered the pack healer to treat Linda. He’s busy.”
I forced my eyes toward the second-floor balcony.
Shapes blurred in the rain.
Then panic.
“She’s passed out! Sybella fainted!”
“She’s losing too much blood. Call the doctor!”
Footsteps approached through the rain.
An umbrella opened above my head.
Gabriel’s voice came sharp and cold.
“Are you done putting on a show?”
“You’d think you were the one who’s pregnant.”
“Sybella, your temper needs work. I’m doing this for your own good.”
He turned away and stepped back under the eaves.
He gently held Linda in his arms.
Linda leaned into his chest, her voice soft, almost guilty.
“Alpha Gabriel… maybe we went too far. Sybella didn’t look like she was faking.”
“She’s still your Luna-to-be. If Silverfang finds out…”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes.
“I built Winsor Pack with my own blood. I don’t need Silverfang’s approval.”
“She caused this. She’ll take the punishment. You’re pregnant. I won’t let her affect you.”
Linda rested in his arms, fingers tracing his shirt buttons.
Her voice turned delicate.
“Last night I dreamed Sybella tried to hurt our baby… I was scared…”
He kissed her on the forehead. Then looked at me—his eyes sharp and cold.
“Only guilty people have nightmares, Sybella.”
He pulled a thick file from his suit and threw it beside my bed.
“Sign it. From now on, you’re just a figurehead in Winsor Pack.”
“When Linda gives birth, she’ll take over.”
Alice roared inside me:
“Don’t sign it, Sybella!”
“If you give in now, I’ll disappear. Our bond is not for sale.”
My fingers trembled. Veins bulged under my skin.
“Alpha Gabriel,” I said through clenched teeth, “what am I to you? A tool to summon and discard?”
Linda walked over. She leaned in close, her voice suddenly cold:
“Don’t overestimate yourself.”
“Your father blackmailed Gabriel with Silverfang’s secrets. That’s the only reason he agreed to bond you.”
“Now that I’m carrying his child, you should know your place.”
She quickly switched back to her soft, innocent tone. Then turned and cuddled into Gabriel’s arm.
“I heard pack marriages are always political. No love involved… You and Sybella, is it the same?”
