Chapter 4

A red blinding rage coursing through my veins as Vanessa tugged me toward father’s conference room.

I struggled to free myself but failed. Vanessa’s aura was so powerful that it almost pushed me back.  

“Don’t you dare resist me! You worthless cunt!” she warned me in a low tone, and her hand gripped my tiny neck. She didn’t loosen her grip until saw my face turned pale. Then she pushed me into the conference room.

The bright lights inside were a bit too harsh and made my eyes blur. I blinked my eyes continuously and saw my father sit in gloomy silence. Lisa was next to him.

I also saw that Alan and the man I had saved last time, the man who was meant to be Vanessa’s mate.

The moment the door opened, they were looking at me. Vanessa couldn’t stand for Alan to spare another second on me. She ran up to him and hugged his arm close.

I shifted my gaze from them over to my father, awaiting his instructions. I had to obey his orders no matter what he asked.

My life was enough terrible and there was nothing worse could happen to me anyway.

“Get started.” My father’s stern voice rang out in the conference room. He didn’t even be bothered to tell me what was about to take place.

He had regarded me as nothing more than a dispensable object. I was not allowed to have my own mind, nor did my feelings matter to him.

All I had to do was stand on the sidelines quietly and wait for them to decide my fate.

I was merely their puppet...

As I was in a daze, Vanessa’s words came to my ears.

“I, Vanessa Baker, reject Blake Hayes as my mate!”

Blake Hayes.

That was his name, and we had met the same fate.

How pathetic and ridiculous we were!

I shot him a sympathetic look. I had expected a look of pain to cross his expression, but he was still expressionless. 

Ignoring Vanessa’s ecstasy, he said indifferently, “I accept your rejection.”

Vanessa had not expected Blake to accept the rejection without any hesitation. Her hands clenched into fists and her lips shook, looked fumed.

Her feelings was nothing to do with me. My attention was on the problem that how they could be so calm when severing their mate bond.

The pain from the broken of mate bond should be so bad that hard to stand. But Vanessa and Blake looked like nothing had happened.

Father’s voice rang out and pulled me out the doubts.

“Alan, our bravest Sentinel! Now, I permit you to mark your new mate.”

There was a loving smile his face. I knew that he was delight that his heir had found a mate who satisfied his requirements.

“Vanessa, go on! Don’t be shy, silly girl.” Lisa said in a soft tone, pushing Vanessa’s waist gently.

Vanessa blushed and tugged on Alan’s sleeves, “Alan...I’m ready.”

Her fake shyness made me sick. She had already slept with Alan for many times and I had even witnessed their sex live just now. How could she so hypocritical!

I forced myself to stop thinking and my gaze fell on Alan again. He pulled Vanessa into his arms and buried his head in Vanessa’s neck.

As he was biting Vanessa, he suddenly raised his head and looked over at me. My heart literally shattered into pieces when our eyes locked.

‘Fine... I won’t sob my eyes out like a fool any more.’

I met his gaze without flinching and kept indifference.

The relationship between Alan and I had already done from the moment I discovered his betrayal.

Once the marking was complete, my father and Lisa was pleased and congratulated them.

“My dear, I’ll leave the pack’s future to you and Alan now. Don’t let me down.” My father said, patting Vanessa’s shoulder with smile.

“With the Moon Goddess’ blessing, you’ll both be happy together,” Lisa hugged Vanessa with tears.

“Definitely!” Vanessa hugged my father and Lisa, “Thank you, I love you guys so much.”

‘What a touching and loving family.’

I sneered this scene as they forgot that I was also the one of this family.  I sighed bitterly and came to my sense when father’s voice came out.

“Chloe!” The expression on his face changed from delight to stern. “Your turn now. Accept Blake’s mark!” he demanded solemnly.

This was their ultimate goal.

They asked Blake to mark me, ensuring that my bond with Alan would be severed completely.

I didn’t say any word but nodded indifferently, then turned to look at Blake.

Blake kept staring at my father. Half of his features were shadowed, and his eyes looked icy.

Sensing my gaze, he glanced over at me casually. His indifferent look made me avert my gaze right away.

His aura was too strong that it sent shivers down my spine.

Blake had been the only one I knew who exuded such an intimidating aura, other than my father.

I was almost certain that he disliked me. If it hadn’t been for me, he would have had the chance to meet his second mate. He wouldn’t be stuck here and be forced to mark me as his mate.

But I didn’t have any rights to help him, the Moon Goddess could prove it.

“Blake,” my father continued, “Chloe is my eldest daughter. You will not get any lose as long as you mark her as your mate.”

Blake nodded without expression. His gaze fixed on me and he walked up to me.

I raised my head slightly, looking at each other in silence.

“Sorry in advance. It might be a little hurt.” Blake lowered his eyes as he spoke in a deep tone.

He held my head with one hand and pulled me into his firm arms.

His bangs were hanging over his eyes as he lowed his head on my shoulder. I couldn’t see his look, but feel the gentle touch of his tongue. He licked my skin with a hint of flirtation and I couldn’t help trembling.

The pain came to my neck suddenly and I felt sharp teeth pierce through my skin.

It hurt...and the feeling was so strange that I needed to bit my lip hard to stop moaning.

I felt like something was spreading through my body from the bite, coursing through the blood in my veins. And the pain was gradually replaced by an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

It was the feeling of two scents mixing together.

I could smell his scent, faint and refreshing.

Blake stepped back after the marking was done. But his gaze still fixed on me. There was something indefinable in his eyes.

“Good!” My father said excitedly, and all of them indulged in a happy atmosphere...

Except for me.

My heart ache painfully and I breathed hard. I thought I could go through it calmly.

“Are you okay?” Blake asked and supported me as I had almost fallen over.

“Of course I’m fine!” I pretended all was well and pushed his hand away.

It was already dawn by the time I left the pack house. I was falling apart and ran into the forest, hoping that running could smooth my pain.

I tried to summon my wolf again, expecting that she could shift and take over my body to help me escape from this cruel world.

However...my wolf still didn’t give me any response like she did five years ago. I felt so downcast and slowed down.

I was a loser that couldn’t even shift!

My wolf abandoned me like everyone else in my life.

Thinking of that, I squatted on the ground and sobbed. I wrapped my arms around my knees and buried my head on my legs, crying out of control.

I ceased my cry as a familiar scent wafted over. I turned around and saw that Blake was leaning against the tree opposite me. He looked at me with his arms crossed.

“Wh...Why are you here?” I asked in a broke voice.

He did not answer me, but walked towards me and bent down on one knee before me. Then, he opened his arms.

I was stunned and looked at him in disbelief. He remained still as if expressed that I could cry to him. So I ran into his arms and cried again, as if to vent out all the grievances I’d suffered in those 19 years.

He hugged me and patted my back gently.

I got tired and my voice turned hoarse after I vented my frustration. I broke free from his arms with puffy eyes.

“Feeling better?” He asked gently.

I nodded and noticed his shirt was wet by my tears.

“Sorry...” I said, feeling embarrassed.

He sat next to me and shook his head.

“You haven’t answered my question.” I wiped my tears and changed the topic. “Why did you follow me? Why did you stay with me? You must’ve noticed how much the entire pack despises me.”

“Well, you’re my mate. It’s my responsibility to keep you safe.” He said as if it was not a big deal.

Reminding of the fact that he was my mate now, I lowered my head. 

“I’m sorry for dragging you down with me. You would’ve been able to get a better mate if it weren’t for me.”

He shook his head, "You're the best choice," he said and caressed my head.

I froze when I heard his words. I didn’t expect him to say that...although I felt the warm from his answer.

After much deliberation, there was only one reason he willingly marked me.

“It’s because I saved you before, wasn’t it? That’s why you agreed to mark me when my father had asked you…” I turned to look at him as I asked.

Blake frowned slightly and remained silent for a short moment, “Don’t think it more.”

I let out a bitter laugh. His hesitation told me the answer.

Unsurprisingly, it hadn’t been because he liked me.

But it was normal not to like me...I got used to it.

I heaved a sigh and got up from the ground. “Come on, go back now,” I said in a bored tone.

I did not want him to see how haggard I looked any longer.

“Chloe.” Blake suddenly called me up while I turned back.

My heart clenched and the atmosphere seemed to vibrate with tension. I turned to look at him and forced myself smile. “What?”

“Anyway…”

The moonbeam broke through rifted clouds and I could see a sudden tenderness dawned in his eyes under the moonlight.

“I swear that I’ll remain loyal to you forever." He said in a deep and mellow voice.

My heart beat fast, and then faster and faster under his steady gaze.