Chapter 4
Bone-deep cold seeped into my core, and I pressed a hand to my chest, swallowing back the bitter ache rising in my throat. But the memory of that child’s suffering broke through, and I couldn’t hold back the tears.
“Because at that time, the Alpha was in my mate’s bed, lost in their passion!”
A sharp pain ripped through my scalp as she yanked my hair, forcing my head into a barrel of icy water. I screamed, thrashing against the hands that pinned me down—Scarlett’s loyal Omegas, all of them. They had betrayed me for her.
My strength faltered as the water flooded my nose, burning my lungs like fire. The pain tore through me, and I stopped fighting, letting the darkness creep in.
“You’ve stolen my mate’s place for years! Just die already—ahhh!”
Her scream pierced my ears, and then a strong arm wrapped around me, pulling me from the water. I collapsed into a warm embrace, my vision blurring as I saw Zaiden’s tear-streaked face.
“Jolene, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” His voice broke as my world faded.
---
When I woke, it was deep into the night. Zaiden lay beside me, clutching my icy hands and pressing them to his chest, trying to warm them. His eyes lit up when he saw me stir.
“Jolene, you’re awake!”
But his relief was short-lived. His hands trembled as they traced the scars on my wrists, then moved to the jagged mark on my abdomen. His tears fell freely as he choked out, “These… these are because of me, aren’t they? Jolene, what have I done to you?”
The ache in my chest deepened, and I let out a hoarse laugh. “He did this, not you.”
Just then, a flicker of light caught my eye through the window. Zaiden sat up, his face lighting with excitement. “He remembers! He promised to release candles for you every year on your birthday.”
Not wanting to dampen his mood, I let him help me to the courtyard. The candles glowed brightly, their light cutting through the damp, oppressive air of the yard. For a moment, the numbness in my heart softened.
This was our tradition. My mother had passed early, and my father had never cared. Every year, I spent my birthday alone—until Zaiden climbed over the wall, took my hand, and led me to the river to release candles.
“Jolene, they say if you make a wish under the moonlight, the Moon Goddess will grant it,” he had told me once, his eyes sparkling.
I’d leaned in, curious. “What did you wish for?”
But he’d hidden the candle, grinning. “If I tell you, it won’t come true!”
The memory brought a tear to my eye. “Zaiden, what did you wish for every year when we released the candles?”
He paused, his eyes filling with tears. “I wished, ‘May I be with Jolene, year after year.’”
He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the candles. “Jolene, you have to believe me! He’s releasing the candles to apologize. Please, go see him. Give him one more chance.”
His desperation broke through my resolve. Though I held no hope, I let him lead me, my heart torn between the past and the fragile possibility of forgiveness.
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