Chapter 4
I believed I had crossed over to the afterlife. However, as my eyelids fluttered open, the sterile white of a hospital room greeted me instead. A nurse, busily adjusting the blood pressure cuff on my arm, noticed my consciousness returning.
“Oh my God, you’re awake!” she exclaimed with a bright smile, relief coloring her tone. “Finally! You’ve been out for a whole week!”
A week? The word echoed hollowly in my mind.
“W—Where am I?” My voice was raspy, barely a whisper.
She relayed an address, one that lay hundreds of miles from the familiar confines of the packhouse. Althea must have driven a considerable distance to abandon me.
“A couple of hikers stumbled upon you in the woods and brought you here. You’d be dead if they had been even a couple of hours later,” the nurse’s expression sobered as she imparted the grim details. “What’s your name? And what happened to you?”
Struggling against the pain, I attempted to sit up. “Did…did anyone come looking for me?”
Her response was a quiet, “No. Nobody came.”
Tears spilled uncontrollably as the reality sank in. I had vanished for a week, and not even my own husband had bothered to search for me.
“I…I need to go,” I gasped, the urgency to find Damon overpowering the agony that racked my body.
“Hey, you’re not fully recovered yet! Come back!” The nurse’s voice was tinged with panic as she followed me.
She explained the extent of my injuries—fractured ribs, a broken left leg, and a concussion that threatened to evolve into something far more severe.
Yet, the drive to leave the hospital was irresistible.
With no money or phone, the journey back to the packhouse loomed as a daunting challenge.
Hitchhiking seemed my only recourse.
I spent the morning limping along the freeway, each step a testament to the throbbing pain in my ribs and leg. My wolf worked diligently to heal me, but it was a slow and excruciating process.
Just as I was about to collapse once more, a kind family in a passing car stopped to offer me a ride.
Conversation ensued as we drove. They shared startling news about the packhouse.
“…Alpha Damon is marrying again soon!” the wife shared excitedly. “The new Luna is the Silverclaw Pack’s daughter! And the boy, Lucian, he’s not adopted at all—he’s Alpha Damon and Althea’s true son!”
The husband added, “Finally, a highborn Luna worthy of our Alpha.”
I stared numbly out the window, each word slicing through me like a blade.
“…And where’s the old Luna?” I inquired in a low voice.
The wife shrugged indifferently. “Who cares? Damon hasn’t spoken of her since Althea returned.”
Fighting back tears, I turned away to hide my anguish.
Three hours later, we arrived at the Central Square in front of the packhouse, where a crowd had gathered in anticipation of a significant event.
Gratefully, I exited the vehicle and mingled with the crowd, overhearing snippets of conversation.
“Miss Althea is overseeing the Carnival City project!” a voice boasted in the crowd. “Well done, Althea! A Luna who truly understands her duties!”
My hands clenched into fists.
Carnival City was my brainchild, yet here it was being celebrated as Althea’s achievement.
In the center of it all stood Damon, Althea, and Lucian, a picture-perfect family posing for the cameras.
“We’re thrilled about CEO Alexander’s visit and the future of Carnival City,” Damon announced, his voice smooth and charismatic.
A reporter’s question cut through the air, “But why isn’t Luna Seraphina here today?”
Damon’s expression darkened with irritation.
Before he could respond, Althea interjected, “Seraphina didn’t feel up to attending. Perhaps she’s ill… or maybe she just can’t stand being near me.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.
“She’s clearly envious of you, Althea! You revived the project and brought forth our Alpha’s heir. Only you matter here,” someone shouted.
“Please, let’s show some compassion,” Althea’s voice was soft, feigning concern. “I only wish for peace with her, as long as Damon is by my side.”
The couple exchanged a look of complicity, their hands intertwined.
The pain in my chest intensified, nearly unbearable as I watched them, a stark reminder of my displacement.
Had Damon even spared a moment to search for me?
As I wrestled with my doubts, a car horn sounded, heralding the arrival of someone important.
“Damon announced, “CEO Alexander is here. Let’s welcome him!”
A sleek black Maybach rolled to a stop, and Alexander emerged, bypassing Damon’s outstretched hand to address someone still inside the car.
From the vehicle stepped a man of imposing stature and undeniable authority. His piercing green eyes swept over the crowd, settling on a stunned Damon.
“Caden Hawke,” he introduced himself with a firm handshake. “Pleasant to meet you.”
Whispers swirled through the crowd as the reality of his presence sank in.
“Alpha Asher is here? What interest could he possibly have in our modest project?” the crowd buzzed with speculation.
“Alpha Asher sees potential in this project,” Alexander explained to a bewildered Damon. “With your agreement, Hawthorne Enterprises would like to partner with you.”
Damon’s relief was palpable. “Absolutely, let’s discuss this further inside.”
“Hold on,” Asher’s tone was icy, halting everyone in their tracks. “Where is Seraphina? She’s supposed to lead this.”
Confusion spread among the onlookers.
“Isn’t Althea in charge now?” someone questioned.
Althea paled but managed a weak smile. “Seraphina found the project too taxing and handed it over to me. I assure you, I’m more than capable.”
The lie hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the betrayal I had endured.
But Asher dismissed her with a disdainful glance. “I don’t do business with amateurs, or your mistress. Bring Luna Seraphina here by tonight, or our deal is off.”
With that, he strode toward the packhouse, his intent clear and his dismissal of the current situation unequivocal.
As I watched from the shadows, the pain of my physical wounds paled in comparison to the betrayal that unfolded before me.
