Chapter 4

“You’re awake, Luna Brinley! Are you feeling alright?” Shepherd’s voice was laced with concern as he reached for my hand, his Alpha aura pressing down on me like a weight.

I pulled my hand away without a word, but he caught it again, his grip firm and unyielding. “What happened last night was your fault. It’s just a dog,” he said dismissively, his tone sharp. “Later, go apologize to Delta Calliope. She’s not one to hold grudges; she’ll forgive you.”

My heart, long numb from the pain, felt like a hollow shell. I closed my eyes, unwilling to engage further, but he kept talking, his voice grating against my ears.

Exhausted, I finally asked, “Where am I?”

Shepherd hesitated, his discomfort evident. “Delta Calliope is afraid of the dark, and Delta Noemi prefers bright rooms. They’ve taken the master bedroom and the guest room.” He paused, avoiding my gaze. “Luna Brinley, you’ll have to stay in the basement.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Before I could respond, the silence was shattered by the shrill ring of his phone. Shepherd fumbled with it, accidentally setting it to speaker, and Delta Noemi’s playful voice filled the room. “Alpha Shepherd, darling, where are you? The dressmaker is here. Hurry back!”

His face flushed with discomfort as he glanced at me, stammering, “I have to take care of something; I’ll be right back.” With that, he ended the call and bolted out the door, his steps light and hurried, as if he were reliving the triumph of our marking ceremony—like he’d achieved some personal victory.

Time blurred as I sat there, the weight of his betrayal pressing down on me. Eventually, the sound of footsteps drew my attention. Delta Calliope and Delta Noemi sauntered in, their laughter sharp and mocking as soon as they saw me.

“Didn’t think you’d stoop so low, pulling a pity act just to cling on,” Calliope sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.

Noemi spat in my direction, her words cutting like a knife. “How pathetic! When you tried to escape the pack like us, it was a joke. Have some pride!”

“If you’re smart, you’ll leave on your own accord,” Calliope added, her eyes narrowing. “Or else...”

She stepped closer, her gaze full of malice. “Brinley Larson, do you really think Alpha Shepherd still has any feelings for you? Want us to show you how much he cares for us over you?”

Before I could react, she waved a can of gasoline, her eyes wild with intent. I frowned, backing away. “What are you planning?”

They grabbed me, their strength overwhelming, and set the gasoline alight. Then they called Shepherd, their voices shrill with false panic. “Alpha Shepherd, help us! We came to see Luna Brinley kindly, but she set a fire to kill us!”

The flames erupted instantly, the heat searing my skin. I ran toward the door, but they held me back, their laughter echoing in the chaos. Smoke filled my lungs, choking me as I struggled desperately. I soaked the curtains with water, using them to shield my nose, but the fire was relentless.

The door burst open, and Shepherd appeared, his Alpha presence commanding. He lifted me up, his voice urgent. “Brinley, are you okay?”

But then Calliope and Noemi’s cries reached him. “Save us! Alpha Shepherd, save us!”

Without hesitation, he set me down and rushed to them, pulling them to safety. The force of his action sent me stumbling, and I fell to the floor, my voice trembling as I called out, “Shepherd...”

He glanced back briefly, but Calliope’s cries held his attention. “Delta Calliope, hang on, I’ll get you out!” he shouted, his voice filled with urgency. He didn’t look back again, leaving me to the flames.

As the fire consumed me, I shut my eyes in despair...

---

Three days later, Shepherd marked Calliope and Noemi in Denmark, the ceremony grand and public. The three of them flew to Europe for a month-long honeymoon, leaving the pack in chaos.

Shepherd posted a photo on social media, showing fresh bite marks on Calliope’s neck, his expression one of triumph. Comments flooded in, praising him. “Living the dream! Alpha Shepherd is incredible!” one read.

Yet, as Shepherd leaned against the balcony, smoking, he felt no sense of victory. An inexplicable unease gnawed at him. He refreshed his screen repeatedly, searching for something—anything—from me.

After saving Calliope and Noemi from the fire, they had accused me of intentionally setting it to harm them. Shepherd had wanted to save me but hesitated because of their claims. His efforts to win Calliope and Noemi had almost been derailed by me, and he resolved to teach me a lesson.

He instructed Delta Andre to wait five minutes before rescuing me, then headed to the airport with the sisters. He hoped to sort things out quickly and return to make peace with me.

But throughout the month, his messages to me remained unanswered. Shepherd’s heart sank deeper, his patience wearing thin. He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door, his Alpha aura radiating tension.

Calliope and Noemi, lost in their newfound bliss, clung to his arm. “Alpha Shepherd, darling, where are you going?” they asked, their voices laced with anxiety.

He shook them off impatiently. “Going back to the pack.”

Yet what awaited him upon his return nearly drove him insane...