Chapter 4
The next day, Alpha Edgar took Diana to the pack's hunting grounds.
He wore a sleek black riding outfit, his sharp features even more striking in the sunlight. He personally helped Diana onto a gentle white horse, even lowering himself to let her step on his arm to mount.
The pack servants whispered, their eyes wide with awe.
"Gods, Alpha Edgar's going that far? They say he's ruthless, killed his own kin for the Alpha title, but with Diana, he's so. tender."
"Yeah, Aurora followed him through hell for years, risked her life, and he never treated her like this."
"Some wolves just get a better deal."
I kept my eyes down, trailing the group quietly, pretending not to hear.
During the hunt, Alpha Edgar's devotion to Diana was relentless. He caught the fruit pits she spat out, even ate her half-finished snacks without a second thought, his expression softer than I'd ever seen.
When Diana got bored, she pouted, saying she wanted to try archery.
Alpha Edgar grinned, offering to teach her, but she waved him off with a playful laugh. "No need, I know how to shoot. But today, I want something. exciting."
"Oh?" Alpha Edgar leaned in, patient. "What's that?"
Her eyes glinted as she scanned the trembling servants. "I want a living target."
The words sent a chill through the group. Every servant ducked their head, praying not to be chosen.
Alpha Edgar raised a brow, his tone calm. "Whatever you like."
Diana's smile widened. Her finger drifted over the cowering crowd, then locked on me.
"Her," she said, pointing, her voice sharp and bright.
Alpha Edgar followed her gaze to my pale, steady face. His brow twitched, almost imperceptibly.
"Alpha Edgar?" Diana's voice turned coy, with an edge of challenge. "You're not refusing, are you? You said whatever I liked."
He looked away, his tone flat. "Of course not. Do it."
My heart plummeted, like I'd been tossed into an icy pit.
Back in the enemy pack's lands, their Alpha heirs used to toy with Alpha Edgar, forcing him to be a target for their amusement. Every time, I threw myself in front of him, taking the arrows meant for his flesh.
I still remember the sting of an arrow grazing my ear, the burn of one piercing my shoulder. The worst time, an arrow lodged in my shoulder blade, leaving me feverish for days. Alpha Edgar stayed by my side that night, changing my bandages himself, his face tight with worry. "Don't do something that stupid again," he'd growled.
Half-delirious with pain, I'd mumbled, "But. protecting you is my duty."
After that, he softened toward me. He'd ask if I was tired, gift me a simple but thoughtful treat on my naming day.
Those small moments of warmth-how fragile they were against Diana's pull.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, the sting in my eyes.
No fighting back. No running.
I walked silently to the marked spot, the sun blinding as I stood still. Through the glare, I saw Diana nock an arrow, her face alight with cruel excitement.
Her first two shots zipped past my sleeves, piercing the apple I held above my head.
Gasps rippled through the servants.
For the third shot, Diana's eyes narrowed. She pulled the bowstring taut, but the arrow's tip shifted-away from the apple, aiming straight for my heart.
My pupils shrank. Cold dread surged from my feet to my core.
No-
Whoosh!
The arrow flew, slicing through the air, and buried itself in my left chest.
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