Page 52 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

Total silence. No one dared breathe.

"You watched my mate crawl on the ground. Watched her humiliate herself at your feet. You stood by. You enjoyed it." I grabbed her collar. "How dare you?"

Lina's face went ashen. She shook her head frantically, voice trembling in panic.

"Lucifer, I didn't know it would be like this! She betrayed you, deceived you. She doesn't deserve to be your mate—"

"Shut up!"

I cut off her excuses coldly. No tolerance left in my eyes.

"Whether she deserves it isn't for you to say!"

"How dare you touch what's mine? How dare you humiliate my fated mate?"

Soul-deep pain kept surging. Imagining her enduring everyone's abuse alone while I remained oblivious, detached—my sanity was on the brink.

"Where did she go?"

Lina's lips moved, but no sound came out. She avoided my gaze, hands shaking uncontrollably.

"Where is she?"

Before she could fabricate a lie, I caught that familiar scent again. Lily, bay leaf, mixed with faint lavender, deliberately masked by heavy perfume but still unmistakable.

I turned and left.

Lina shoved her chair back and rushed after me. Her heels hammered the floor, frantic and clumsy.

"Lucifer, the contract is critical. Our partners are still waiting—"

"Get out!"

"Are you insane? For some half-blood—"

"Get out!"

I strode through the corridor. She reached out to grab my arm. I shook her off violently. I glanced back. My cold stare nailed her in place instantly, choking every word in her throat. She didn't dare follow.

I shoved through the side door. Night wind hit my face. Marcus stuck close behind. He shut the door. Floored it.

My heart pounded. Elena, wait for me—

I followed the scent.

Through two blocks, to the right, that barely-there fragrance surfaced again.

This direction.

I chased the broken trail through narrow alleys and dim streets, finally stopping at the harsh white lights of a hospital entrance.

Two nurses looked up. Seeing me, they immediately stood and bowed. "Your Majesty—"

I ignored them. My voice was sharp and urgent.

"A woman just came in. Where?"

The two nurses exchanged glances, hesitating. "May I ask, are you—"