"I don't need his approval. He's not the Alpha anymore. He can't control me. And without you, Liv can give me an heir."
I had never hated the words coming out of Elias's mouth more than I did now. "I'll mark her and make her my Luna. Even if it takes a year or two to conceive, or ten, or eight, it'll happen eventually. I'll protect Liv for the rest of my life. I promised her."
What about me?
I opened my mouth, but the question wouldn’t come out.
I searched his face, trying to see if he really meant what he said. But he avoided my gaze, leaving me with nothing but the cold profile of his face.
I closed my eyes and finally accepted the truth. Our marriage, our relationship—everything I'd so carefully tried to protect meant nothing to Elias. The love and trust I had fought so hard to earn were things others received without lifting a finger.
It had taken me this long to finally understand what Liv meant when she called me a "loser" before she fell.
"Elias?" Liv suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs. Her soft footsteps interrupted us, and we both turned to look.
"Liv, why did you come out of your room?" Elias's voice instantly softened. The coldness he'd shown me vanished without a trace. "I told you to rest."
"I was scared." Liv gripped the stair railing with both hands. In her white nightgown, she looked delicate and pitiful—pure and innocent. "You were gone so long. I thought you'd left me."
She bowed her graceful neck in distress. "You're the only thing I remember. When I can't see you, I panic. I wanted to come find you. Did I interrupt your conversation?"
"No," Elias said immediately. "She and I have nothing left to say."
Another stab straight through my heart.
I lifted my head and met Liv's eyes. She stood above me, looking down from her elevated position. A flash of mockery crossed herbrown irises. I thought I'd imagined it when she suddenly lost her footing and pitched forward?—
"Ah!"
"Careful!"
Elias rushed up the stairs and caught her before she could fall. Then they clung to each other in a tight embrace.
"Are you hurt?" His voice trembled with panic.
Liv rested in his arms and shook her head gently. "I'm fine. Just a little dizzy. Thank you for catching me."
"Don't come downstairs alone anymore. If you need anything, just ask me." His words sounded stern, but anyone could hear the tenderness underneath.
Liv nodded obediently. Her gaze drifted over his shoulder as if she'd only just noticed me. She blushed. "Elias, that lady is still here. You should let go of me."
"It's fine. She's leaving," Elias said. "Let me take you back to your room."
He bent down and swept Liv into his arms—a princess carry. How romantic.
I watched my mate hold another woman so intimately. I watched them climb the stairs and disappear, leaving me alone in the cold hallway.
I could even hear their quiet conversation as they walked away, soft as lovers' whispers.
I covered my ears, as if that could block my werewolf hearing. My shoulder hit the wall. I used it to support myself, step by step,until I made it out of the villa. When I saw Herman's startled expression, I realized my face was streaked with tears.
I wiped my cheeks. My voice came out strangely calm. "Take me back to the mansion."
Herman hesitated, clearly wanting to say something, but I ignored him and got into the car. He followed and took the driver's seat. As he started the engine, I looked through the rearview mirror at the second-floor window of the villa. Curtains hung behind the glass, and two silhouettes were outlined against them.
I looked away. The car pulled out slowly and farther away from that place.
Elias, I don't want you anymore.
