Chapter 2

Blood gushed from the deep wound on my back, trickling down my collarbone, soaking into the rug—blending with the overwhelming scent of roses. Ben still had me pinned down, his knee pressing directly into the spot where a rogue wolf's claw had slashed me days ago. Now, he was tearing it open again—piece by piece. The pain was so intense it numbed me. I was on the verge of blacking out. But I forced myself to stay conscious. To stay awake. Because if I fell now, it meant surrender. He didn’t know. Or worse—he didn’t care. “Apologize, Susan.” Ben looked down at me, voice cold and commanding, like he was disciplining a disobedient Beta. “You hurt Chloe. You need to be held accountable for your recklessness.” I could almost hear the crack of my heart shattering. “She’s fine,” I said through gritted teeth, pushing myself off the floor with trembling arms. Blood dripped between my fingers. “She fell on her own. It’s that damn perfume—synthetic rose. I’m allergic. You knew that. Or did you forget?” Ben’s face remained hard. “You still shouldn’t have been violent with her. Chloe only wanted to hug you. You pushed her.” “It’s okay, Daddy… it doesn’t hurt that much,” Chloe said sweetly, waving her scraped elbow in front of him. It was just a minor scratch. Superficial. But Ben still took her hand like it was a mortal wound. “I’ll call the healer.” Then he turned back to me. “Apologize.” I inhaled sharply, the pain in my back now excruciating, like fire laced with knives. I lifted my gaze, locking eyes with Chloe. She leaned into Ben’s chest, pretending to be weak, but I caught it— That flicker of victory in her eyes. She tugged on Ben’s sleeve gently, like a perfect little girl, but her smile curved—only for me to see. My limbs trembled. My body was giving out. My lungs burned for air. But I forced the words out, rough and broken: “...I’m sorry.” Three syllables. Each one sharper than the last, like dragging glass through my throat. Only then did Ben release me. He scooped Chloe up into his arms and gently soothed her. “There, don’t cry.” Chloe whimpered softly, her face nestled against his shoulder, yet not a single tear streaked her cheek. I lay on the floor, chest heaving, pain overtaking every inch of my body. My mind began to float, my thoughts scattering. My blood pooled beneath me, growing thicker, darker. And finally—Ben noticed. “Why are you bleeding so much?” I didn’t have the strength to respond. But then he sneered, like I was putting on a show. “Trying to guilt-trip me now? What—think bleeding out in front of me will win my sympathy?” “Even if you die here, Susan, don’t expect pity from me.” He walked away. Still holding Chloe, without sparing me a single glance. But that was fine. I no longer needed his pity. Because very soon— I would be gone.