Chapter 3
His serious expression just now made me wonder…
But for some reason, deep inside, I felt an inexplicable sense of surprise–and a faint, unnameable sadness.
When did Dr. Elias get married We’ve known each other for seven years, and I never knew.
This ring is really beautiful. I think any girl would probably like it, I told him honestly.
Do you like it Elias asked with a playful smile.
I nodded and laughed, I don’t think any woman could dislike diamonds.
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Wow, I didn’t realize Miss Selene was this shallow, Elias teased.
His words made me laugh out loud, and in that moment, the tangled, melancholic thoughts that had been swirling in my mind started to ease.
Since that night at the theater, Thorne had never come home, nor had he reached out to
- me.
Another page of the calendar turned, and there were only three days left.
began packing up everything in the house that had to do with me
Couple mugs, matching toothbrushes, framed photos…
Selene, you have to move on–this is what I
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told myself.
At that moment, a new message popped up on my WhatsApp. It was from Thorne’s good friend, Jasper, with a location attached
Alpha Thorne’s drunk at Midnight’s Veil. Can you come pick him up
I replied flatly, Okay.
Opening the wardrobe, I picked out a plain. white jacket from the still–packed clothes and put it on.
Thorne had once told me I looked good in white. On many nights, when he saw me wearing it, he’d get even more excited than usual…
At the dimly lit bar, Thorne was half–drunk, half–conscious, slumped on a sofa with a
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table full of empty glasses in front of him.
I walked over and gently tapped him, Thorne.
Thorne opened his eyes and, upon locking gazes with me, suddenly widened them in shock.
Isolde!
A few of the guys around him immediately grew awkward, exchanging uneasy glances.
Jasper hurriedly said, It’s fine. Selene’s deaf. She can’t hear.
The others relaxed, though they gave me subtle, mocking glances. One of them nudged Thorne
It’s not Isolde, it’s your little deaf girl!
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Man, I was shocked too. She looks kind of like Isolde, and now she’s wearing white like her–looks like a clown.
The group burst into laughter. I tried to suppress the bitterness rising inside me, pretending I didn’t hear, and called out again, Thorne.
Still half–conscious, Thorne managed to focus for a moment and, seeing me, broke into a silly grin. He mimed
Selene, you’re here You look really good in white.
Someone else snickered, Alpha Thorne, Isolde’s back, so when are you going to get rid of this substitute Aren’t you embarrassed keeping a deaf girl around
I took a deep breath and glanced at the one
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who spoke.
Soon. Three more days.
The noise of the bar was so loud that it seemed no one had heard me.
Thorne took the milk I gave him to sober up, and I sat quietly next to him, listening to the mocking remarks around us
Only because Alpha’s kind–hearted that he’s kept Selene around for seven years! If it had been me who ran into her, I’d have just paid her off. Look at Thorne, still giving her the ‘girlfriend‘ spot!
You can’t say that! Isolde left, and Selene looks so much like her–it makes sense to keep her around.
But now that Isolde’s back, why is she still
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hanging around I mean, when a cripple meets someone like Alpha Thorne, of course, she’s gonna cling to him!
The buzzing in my ears grew louder, like something was tearing through my brain.
So it was clear to everyone–I was nothing more than a downgraded substitute for Isolde!
And the only one who didn’t realize it was me!
Usually, Thorne and his brothers were polite to me, always calling me Luna. Thorne even went as far as to lie, saying they liked and respected me, telling his brothers to take good care of me.
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But in reality Thorne hadn’t marked me, and none of his pack members respected me. They were all just waiting for the real Luna to return and throw me, this disgraceful deaf woman, aside.
A sharp pain pierced my chest, making it hard to breathe. Sweat poured from my body, and I felt like I was going to vomit, but nothing came up. All I could do was cough harshly, tasting blood at the back of my throat.
Thorne patted my back, set his glass down with a thud, and glanced at the brothers gathered around us.
“Enough. I never thought about separating from Selene,” he said, his voice firm.
Several of the brothers scoffed, clearly not believing him.
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I didn’t believe him either. Who would Thorne, when the time comes, it won’t be you deciding whether to break up with me. It’ll be me who walks away.
It’ll be me rejecting you.
I poured myself a full glass of alcohol, stood up, and raised it toward the group, smiling.
“It’s been so many years, and I’ve never had a drink with you all! Tonight, I’ll drink one. Thank you for looking out for me!”
The brothers exchanged surprised glances, but they all raised their glasses with me.
Ignoring Thorne’s hurried objections, I threw back the drink in one go.
The strong liquor burned as it went down,
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and I immediately started coughing uncontrollably. Thorne quickly started patting my back, signing frantically.
“Selene, don’t drink anymore, don’t try to prove anything! Let’s go home!”
Thorne grabbed my unsteady body to steady me, just as Jasper’s phone rang.
He answered, listened for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed, “Isolde’s drunk! She’s at the bar next door!”
Everyone in the room immediately turned their gaze to Thorne.
“Isolde’s allergic to alcohol! This could be serious!”
“Alpha, you need to go see her–Isolde only wants you to help her!”
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Thorne froze, letting go of me, then hesitated before signing.
“Selene, there’s a sudden issue at work. You go back first. I’ll be home later.”
With that, he turned and rushed out of the room with the others.
When the door closed behind them, the private room went silent–completely empty.
I collapsed onto the sofa, tears streaming down my face as I gasped for air.
Red rashes had already started to spread across my skin, but I was numb to it- couldn’t feel a thing.
Thorne, you forgot–I’m allergic to alcohol
too.
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But I no longer need your care.
In three days, I’ll be gone for good.
There are still two days left before I leave.
The house was almost packed, and the buyer was scheduled to come today.
The doorbell rang. I quickly wiped my hands and walked over to open the door, only to freeze when I saw the person standing there
It was Isolde.
Isolde’s eyes widened with surprise as she typed something on her phone
“So coincidental, Miss Selene, you’re the owner of this house I heard you’re selling it,
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so I came to have a look!”
I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my palm, forcing a smile.
“Yeah, if I don’t like something, selling it is the easiest way to deal with it.”
Isolde stepped right into the house, her heels clicking on the freshly mopped floor as she spun around in excitement.
“Wow! This place is just like the house my ex–boyfriend gave me seven years ago! The décor is identical!”
She walked over to the living room cabinet. “My boyfriend used to keep two pairs of gardening gloves here so he could always go outside and plant flowers… How funny, your have gloves here too!”
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She pointed at the two pairs of gloves in the cabinet, raising her chin smugly at me.
Then she moved to the wall with the ballet painting. “My boyfriend once painted a picture of me dancing and hung it up here.”
Finally, she stepped behind the couch, a faint blush on her face.
If I remember correctly, there’s a small storage compartment behind the sofa where he keeps some condoms… He loves making love on the sofa, can’t wait to get to the bed. He’s so eager, you can’t even push him off!
As she spoke, she reached for the sofa’s storage compartment, but I blocked her hand without a word.
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Miss Isolde, this is inappropriate.
I already knew exactly what was inside.
Isolde pouted, clearly displeased, muttering a curse under her breath
You deaf idiot. You’ve been my stand–in for seven years, and now you think you’re important
She then giggled, pulled out her phone, and typed a message
Sorry! I forgot you can’t hear! Should I go upstairs and check
I nodded slightly.
We made our way to the second floor. When we reached the master bedroom–the one Thorne and I usually shared–Isolde’s face
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twisted in jealousy. She glared at me, her voice dripping with venom
You know who I am, don’t you No matter how much you hate it, Thorne loves me!
I’m back now, and you’re just a stupid, deaf substitute. You should’ve left a long time ago. Isn’t it pathetic, standing in the way of true love
It’s you who’s the Mistress, got it You’re the unloved one, you deaf idiot!
The anger inside me boiled over, and I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I slapped her hard.
You’re the one who rejected Thorne when he was struggling, and now that he’s the Alpha of The Blackthorn Pack, you come crawling back to seduce him! Isolde, you’re the real
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Mistress!
Isolde froze, caught off guard, and the slap landed with a sharp crack. Her left cheek turned bright red instantly.
You–you can hear
Then, her sneer returned. So what Thorne
will still choose me!
It seemed she didn’t get the reaction she wanted from my calm face. She raised an eyebrow.
By the way, I ran into you on purpose that day. I lied about being allergic to alcohol. I just wanted to get him to leave you. Are you
angry
I coldly replied, Same old tricks from the Mistress.
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Slut! You-
She didn’t finish before the sound of the door opening cut her off.
Isolde suddenly screamed.
Miss Selene, I’m sorry! You can hit me as much as you want!
Then, with a twisted grin, she took a
dramatic step back and deliberately tumbled down the stairs.
Ahhh!!!
Isolde!
Alpha Thorne! My leg! Will I ever be able to
dance again!
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Thorne rushed over, panic in his eyes, scooping Isolde up and checking her leg, glaring at me as he gestured angrily.
Selene! Have you lost your mind How could you be so cruel
I responded coldly, I slapped her, but I didn’t push her.
Alpha Thorne, my leg… it hurts so much…
Shh, Isolde, you’ll be fine! I’m taking you to the hospital right now!
Thorne immediately scooped her up and headed for the door.
Isolde,
I called her name one last time. Isolde turned to look at me, her face showing nothing but
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indifference.
Who is she to you You’re taking her with you What about me
Thorne didn’t answer, his impatience clear as he gestured sharply.
You’d better pray her leg’s not serious. If anything happens, I won’t let you off the hook!
Bang!
The door slammed shut behind him.
Thorne rushed out, leaving without noticing that half of the things in the house were missing.
I thought I’d be devastated, heartbroken beyond repair.
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But as I touched my cheek, I realized I hadn’t shed a single tear.
For this man, I finally felt no lingering attachment.
Today marked the seventh anniversary of me being Thorne’s mate.
And it also marked my last day in The
Blackthorn Pack.
Just last month, he was excitedly brainstorming ideas for how we should spend the day–where to eat, whether to go. to an aquarium or a drive–in movie…
But ever since Isolde came back, he had forgotten all of it.
