Chapter 3
I don’t know how much time had passed when I finally heard the sound of the door unlocking. Harlan’s boots appeared in my line of sight.
The restraints around my wrists and ankles were removed, but I was already numb, unmoving, like a broken doll.
Harlan looked at me, his brow furrowing deeply.
“Do you have to look so pathetic? It’s just a late night in the study. Are you really going to give me that kind of attitude?”
But I remained unresponsive, my face pale except for the unnatural flush on my cheeks. Perhaps he finally felt a pang of guilt, because he took off his jacket and threw it over me.
“Wrap yourself up. Do you want to freeze to death?”
“And stop crying. You’re ruining my mood.”
His words were like a spark igniting the storm inside me. My eyes burned crimson, a mix of despair and simmering hatred as I glared at him.
He seemed startled by my expression, but it quickly turned to disgust.
“What’s with that look? Are you really that desperate for me to touch you? Fine, I’ll do it eventually. After all, my grandmother is still waiting for an heir.”
His condescending tone, the way he looked at me like I was beneath him—it made me want to laugh hysterically. Laugh at his arrogance, his cruelty, and my own stupidity.
I forced myself to stand, trembling as I wrapped the jacket tightly around myself. Without sparing him another glance, I turned to leave, calling for a pack member to help me clean up.
But Harlan’s voice stopped me.
“In three days, I’m taking you to the Silver Moon Auction. Be ready. Don’t embarrass me, the Alpha of this pack.”
I didn’t respond, my steps never faltering.
Harlan’s patience snapped. He grabbed my arm, yanking me back.
“Are you deaf? I’m talking to you!”
“…I’m not going.”
My voice was barely a whisper, but it carried enough defiance to make him narrow his eyes.
“What are you even doing? My grandmother’s birthday is coming up. She’s always been so kind to you. Don’t you think you should get her a gift?”
“Ungrateful. Robin started preparing her gift six months ago, her hands raw from the effort.”
“And what do you do all day? Laundry? Making tea? You don’t even act like the Luna of this pack. People might think you’re some lowly Omega I picked up off the streets.”
I looked down at my red, fragile skin, realizing that all the effort I’d put into this pack, into him, meant nothing. To him, I was just a servant.
How ironic.
Harlan coldly ordered a pack member to clean me up. The lotion stung my skin, leaving it raw and irritated, but I felt nothing, like a hollow shell.
The day of the auction arrived. Harlan reluctantly shared a car with me, but as soon as we arrived, he couldn’t wait to get away, leaving me to be escorted to the private room upstairs.
The moment I entered, Robin approached me with a sweet smile.
“Felicity, finally! Harlan’s been so protective of you, we barely see you around.”
Her words were met with a chorus of laughter.
“Protective? More like neglectful. It’s been five years, and he’s still never marked you.”
The crude comment made my face pale instantly.
Zechariah sneered, his eyes glinting with malice as he reached out toward me.
“Can’t handle it? You don’t even know, do you? Tonight’s final item is your marking ceremony. Harlan may never have touched you, but who knows if you’ve been sneaking around? Let me check for you.”
His words sent a chill through my veins, dragging me back to that humiliating night. I trembled, instinctively trying to pull away.
“…Don’t… don’t touch me…”
But the room was filled with leering eyes, their gazes stripping me bare, leaving me exposed and vulnerable.
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