Chapter 2
Elizabeth returned to the cramped den she shared with Jericho, her heart heavy with the weight of the day’s revelations. She tore off the Victorian-style dress, her fingers trembling as she tossed it into the trash. The fabric, once a symbol of hope, now felt like a cruel joke. Just as she finished, Jericho walked in, carrying a box of strawberries. The sight of them stirred memories of simpler times, when they would wander through the pack’s markets together, and she would gaze longingly at the crimson fruit, a luxury she could never afford.
"You always said, ‘Once I make some money, I’ll definitely buy them for you,’" Jericho murmured, his voice soft as he began washing the strawberries in the sink. The water ran over the fruit, making them glisten like rubies, but Elizabeth could only see the bitterness they now represented.
"Elizabeth," he called again, his tone gentle, "Look, I got strawberries for you. You were always wanting to try them, right?" He set them on the rickety table, the wood groaning under the weight of the bowl. The chair creaked as he sat, a sound that once felt comforting but now grated on her nerves. He had promised her a better life, a grand den where they would live comfortably. Now, those words felt hollow, a mockery of the life they had built—or rather, the life she had struggled to build while he watched from the sidelines.
She approached the table, her steps slow and deliberate. Just as she reached for a strawberry, Jericho pulled a necklace from his pocket, holding it up with a forced smile. "Ta-da! Happy second anniversary," he said, dangling a silver heart pendant in front of her. It was cheap, likely from one of the bargain stalls in the pack’s marketplace, worth no more than a few coins. He had always been generous with others but stingy with her, a fact that now burned like a brand on her heart.
Her fingers brushed the pendant, but before she could take it, his phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with a WhatsApp notification, the message content hidden, but the anxious flicker in Jericho’s eyes told her everything she needed to know. Olive. It had to be Olive.
"Finish up and get some rest; it’s late," he said abruptly, placing the necklace on the table before retreating to the bathroom. His hurried movements spoke volumes, and Elizabeth felt the sting of betrayal deepen.
She remembered the day Jericho had first learned about her mother’s illness. His eyes had been filled with tears as he promised, "Aunt Greta, don’t worry. Elizabeth and I will find a way to get you treated." But earlier, he had admitted the truth—he had wanted to watch her struggle, to see her reaction after her mother’s passing. The realization cut deeper than any knife.
Jericho, you’re certainly a master of deception, she thought bitterly.
Elizabeth wiped away her tears, leaving the strawberries untouched, and crawled into the worn bed they shared. The thin blanket offered little comfort, but she pulled it tightly around herself, as if it could shield her from the pain. Moments later, she felt the warmth of Jericho’s breath against her back as he slid into bed beside her.
"Are you upset?" he asked, his voice low and tentative. "Tell me what’s wrong."
She closed her eyes, refusing to respond. He called again, "Elizabeth, are you asleep?" When she still didn’t answer, he sighed, releasing his grip on her. Carefully, he slipped out of bed, the soft creak of the floorboards marking his departure as he opened the door and left.
Alone in the darkness, Elizabeth curled into herself, the bond between them screaming its agony through every fiber of her being. She thought of David, the Alpha who had offered her a lifeline, and the den he had prepared for her. For the first time, she allowed herself to imagine a future without Jericho—a future where she would no longer be bound by his lies or his indifference.
The strawberries sat untouched on the table, their bright red hue a stark reminder of the promises that had turned to ash. And as the night stretched on, Elizabeth’s resolve hardened. She would leave this den, this life, and never look back.
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