6
After a few days in the healers‘ den, Ethan didn’t visit. My wolf felt the sting of abandonment.
He just had his pack messenger send a message, telling me to rest up and return to pack duties when I was better.
I didn’t dwell on it. I fully recovered from my exhaustion before checking out. My wolf insisted on self–preservation.
Meanwhile, the Ashen Pack’s telepathic network was buzzing with gossip about Ethan and Isabelle. The whispers felt like a physical
assault.
He’d marked a sacred hunting ground for a week to celebrate her blood bond day, with spirit lights that lasted three nights. Spirit lights are a powerful ritual, usually reserved for pack celebrations.
He’d taken her to a pack elder gathering and given her a pendant traditionally only passed down to the Pack’s Luna. The pendant is a symbol of pack leadership.
He bargained with the earth spirits for a plot of land to build a private training ground, the name connected to Isabelle… Training grounds are essential for pack strength.
I silently received these messages; my heart remained unmoved. My wolf erected a shield of indifference.
After release, I returned to my tasks as usual, meticulous in my duties.
I delegated anything requiring Alpha Ethan’s attention to other colleagues. Avoidance was my only defense.
After a week of relative peace, Ethan summoned me.
After delivering the maps he’d requested, I was about to leave when he stopped me.
“I have a council meeting. Isabelle doesn’t like eating alone; you’ll keep her company.”
My face froze. Before I could refuse, Isabelle bossily ordered me around.
“I want venison. Prepare a plate.”
Ethan closed his office door. He offered no protection.
I could only swallow my objections and go to the gathering fire pit.
After preparing a plate of venison, Isabelle demanded a large plate of pine nuts and wild berries.
“I want some after–fire meal. There are no tools here; do it by hand.”
Looking at the hard shells and sharp thorns, my heart sank. A premonition of pain washed over me.
I knew Isabelle was deliberately trying to torment me.
But I had to comply.
After shelling the pine nuts and gathering the wild berries, both my hands were bleeding profusely.
Isabelle wasn’t done. She forced me to bring the stew from the hearth.
The stew, freshly off the hearth, burned my hands crimson.
The pain was unbearable. My hands slipped, spilling the scalding stew onto myself.
9.9%
Meng
< 6
The steam rose, and within seconds, several blisters formed on my hands.
A searing pain shot through me; I bit my lip hard to stifle a cry.
Seeing me fall to the floor, Isabelle burst into laughter.
The next second, seeing the office door open, she stopped laughing, feigning a scolding tone.
“Ethan said you’re capable. You can’t even carry a bowl of stew without spilling it, burning my hand!”
Hearing this, Ethan immediately panicked and rushed over.
“Where’s it burned? Let me see. Does it hurt?”
Isabelle showed him her slightly reddened hand, squeezing out a couple of fake tears.
“A few drops splashed on it. I don’t know if it’ll scar.”
“How could you be so careless? Isabelle’s been pampered her whole life–she’s never so much as scraped a knee! And now you let her burn herself carrying a bowl of stew? Couldn’t you have kept your distance?”
Ethan’s face darkened, and he couldn’t help but reprimand me.
But seeing my injuries, he couldn’t be too harsh. He picked up Isabelle to treat her injury.
Before leaving, seeing me still standing there, he coldly called out, “Come to the healer’s den; we’ll go together.”
I could only endure the pain and get in the car.
On the way, Ethan drove fast.
Isabelle, unwilling for him to see she was faking, periodically cried out in pain.
He was heartbroken, constantly glancing at her.
His distracted driving caused him to miss a speeding car.
With a bang, the two cars collided.
The impact sent me crashing into the car door.
My insides felt like they were shifting; excruciating pain shot through my body.
Blood gushed out, staining my world crimson.
My body trembled uncontrollably. I managed to open my eyelids and saw Ethan carrying Isabelle out of the car.
In a hazy state, I heard two urgent voices.
“Alpha, this lady is merely in shock and unconscious. But the other she–wolf in the back is bleeding heavily; if she’s not sent to the healer’s den immediately, she might not survive.”
< 7
