Chapter 3

The busiest main street of Pearl Town bustled with life on weekends. The sun gleamed off the jewelry store windows, just like the glint in her eyes.

I stood quietly in the corner of the shop, watching Alpha Jake hold Anna’s hand. The two of them smiled at each other as if the rest of the world had faded into silence.

Anna lifted a soft pink crabapple hairpin and held it next to my ear with a playful grin, like a harmless Beta girl next door.

“Jake, look,” she said sweetly. “Doesn’t this hairpin suit Clarissa? She’s come of age, after all. Why not pair her with an Omega groundskeeper and assign her a helper from your Pack? It’d be such a lovely little story~”

I lowered my gaze, pretending to admire the pattern on the glass display case.

“Thank you… future Luna,” I murmured.

But in the next second, Alpha Jake let out a cold laugh and flung the hairpin to the ground.

“She suits a crabapple blossom? Isn’t that a bit much?” His tone was as sharp as a blade of ice. “She’s just an Omega slave. Wearing something that symbolizes wealth and nobility? What a joke.”

I tugged the corners of my lips into a weak smile and said nothing.

This wasn’t the first time he’d humiliated me in front of Anna. And by now, I had long stopped being surprised.

That day’s itinerary dragged on endlessly. After picking out jewelry, Anna insisted on going to the hilltop park to “smell the spring flowers,” and then dragged Alpha Jake to the priciest restaurant in the old town for roasted lamb.

All the while, I trailed behind them like a forgotten shadow, the soles of my feet rubbed raw, but unable to stop.

By the time we returned to the estate, night had already fallen. I collapsed onto the sofa the moment we stepped inside.

But before I could close my eyes, the door creaked open with a soft click, and that familiar oppressive Alpha presence pressed into the room.

Alpha Jake was as domineering as ever. He ripped my clothes with practiced ease, his lips descending on the nape of my neck, right where he had once marked me—only to later sever that bond.

It burned.

“What now? You’re so grateful someone’s willing to claim you that you’re ready to throw yourself into their arms?” he snarled, his eyes stormy. “I’m not dead yet—who gave you permission to belong to anyone else?”

The pain made me tremble and writhe, but I was no match for him.

Like a man possessed, he punished me over and over until I completely lost consciousness.

When I came to the next morning, every part of my body ached, but my cheek felt oddly cool.

I blinked at the bedside. There lay a small jar of healing ointment—beside it, the crabapple hairpin, cleaned and shining as if nothing had happened.

He had dressed my wounds. Probably while I was unconscious.

He always did this—hurt me until I was broken, then offer a sliver of tenderness when I was about to fall apart.

And I, like a fool, would cling to that sliver and convince myself he still cared.

But not this time.

Anna’s birthday was coming soon.

I made all the preparations behind the scenes, even choosing her gift with care. I waited silently for the day Alpha Jake would lift her into the spotlight and complete his performance.

That night, the tower by the lake blazed with lights. Wolves blew their horns, and fireworks lit up the night sky.

I stood at the back of the crowd, watching Alpha Jake leap up the tower and light the grandest lotus rabbit lantern before solemnly handing it to Anna.

Anna beamed and leaned into his embrace like a delicate flower. Alpha Jake held her tightly, as if she was the center of his world.

I rubbed my eyes hard, forcing back the tears.

He had given her the glory—and given me a reason to finally let go.

I turned to leave.

Then boom—a thunderous explosion split the night sky. A burst of fire erupted from the far side of the tower. Screams and howls rang out, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.

When I regained my senses, Alpha Jake was already running toward me with a soot-covered, trembling Anna in his arms.

He hurled the charred frame of the lantern at my feet, fury blazing in his eyes.

“Clarissa, you dared to hurt her?!”

“If I hadn’t gotten to her in time, she’d be ashes just like this!”

I stared at him, stunned, my throat parched. “It wasn’t me…”

But Anna had already started to cry—her helpless, innocent tears drawing the sympathy of every onlooker.

“Clarissa,” she whispered, voice trembling, “I always saw you as a sister. Why would you do this to me?”

Alpha Jake didn’t wait for an explanation. His voice thundered:

“Guards! Take her back. Search everything! If it was her—I'll tear her apart myself!”

Then he turned away, carrying Anna toward the car without a backward glance.

I stood where I was. The remnants of the lantern smoldered at my feet, and the night wind stung my eyes.

But not a single tear fell.

Once again, I’m certain—he doesn’t care about my feelings at all.

So there’s no reason for me to shed tears over a man who changes his heart so easily.

If I can get through this, I swear I’ll stay far away from him.