Chapter 5
Amelia gritted her teeth as the black liquid splashed across her arms and shoulders. A searing pain shot through her body, a white–hot fire that surged from the burns. on her skin, sharp and unbearable. The acid had burned her flesh, leaving deep welts where it had touched. The skin
around her arms and shoulders was already blistering, red and raw, and the pain made her stomach twist in revolt. It felt like she was being torn apart from the inside out, her whole body radiating the heat of the burns.
She stayed as still as she could, the only
movement the tremble of her hands as she clenched them into fists, fighting the overwhelming urge to cry out. The pack was too distracted by the commotion, too preoccupied with Bridgette’s supposed peril.
“You’re hurt.” The Alpha was moving
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toward her, his face creased with concern, but just as his eyes locked on her, Bridgette’s high–pitched scream tore through the air, stopping him in his tracks.
“Oh no!” Bridgette’s voice was filled. with exaggerated distress as she cradled her hand dramatically. “It hurts so badly! Please, help me!” Her voice quivered as she leaned toward Adam, her fingers gingerly brushing against the very tip of the acid, the smallest amount of contact that had left only a light red mark on her skin. It was nothing, nothing at all, but Bridgette acted as though it were the end of the world.
Amelia’s lips curled into a wry smile at the absurdity of it all.
Bridgette, her eyes wide and her voice. thick with false tears, turned to Adam, clutching his arm with both hands.
“Alpha, I think Luna needs to be looked after first. Please, she’s been hurt far worse than me. You must help her.”
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The words were honeyed and fake, dripping with an insincerity Amelia had grown far too accustomed to. She saw through it–knew exactly what Bridgette was trying to do.
Adam, ever the dutiful Alpha, hesitated for a split second, his gaze flicking between Bridgette and Amelia. But then, without a second thought, he turned completely to Bridgette. “Of course,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “I’ll take care of you. We’ll get you to the infirmary.”
The irony of it was almost laughable.
She could feel the stares of the pack, some of them still watching, some of them looking away, as they tried to figure out what was happening. Amelia had been the Luna, the one who stood by Adam’s side. for years. But tonight, she was nothing more than a backdrop to Bridgette‘ s theatrics. Her heart thudded in her chest, not with bitterness, but with a strange, detached sense of amusement.
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Adam, oblivious to the true state of things, gently helped Bridgette out of her seat, ignoring Amelia entirely. “Let’s get your to the hospital, Bridgette. Stay close.”
Bridgette s exaggerated sobs only grew louder, and she pressed herself against Adam, clearly savoring the attention. Amelia could only watch, her gaze growing colder, but still, no anger flared inside her. She was done pretending.
And Amelia was left alone.
Her mind was already elsewhere, detached from the scene around her. The pain in her arms and shoulders pulsed relentlessly. She stood, her breath shallow and strained, and made her way out of the banquet hall.
Her destination was clear–the infirmary.
The walk felt long, the weight of her injuries dragging at her every step. She could feel the acid still working its way deeper into her skin, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. But despite the
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agony, Amelia kept her pace steady. She had never been one to flinch in the face of
pain.
When she reached the infirmary, she didn’t wait for anyone to tend to her. Instead, she found a seat on one of the cots, ripping the sleeves of her dress away from her skin to assess the damage. The burns were deep, dark patches of charred skin that oozed with a sickening, blistered. fluid.
The sting was unbearable, but Amelia
refused to show weakness. She‘ d suffered
far worse.
As she sat there, waiting for the healer, her mind drifted. She wasn‘ t angry with Adam–at least, not in the way others might expect. She wasn’t bitter. The whole situation was just so… predictable. And funny. Because she knew the truth of it. She was leaving soon. All of this, the fake Luna role, the pack‘ s expectations, the tension with Adam–it would all be over.
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She was just waiting for Camille’s word.
Camille had been negotiating with the university, trying to ensure that Amelia‘ s return would go smoothly. Once everything was settled, once the papers were signed and the details confirmed. Amelia would leave. It was a matter of timing. There was no need for drama, no need for fights. She simply had to wait for Camille to send the confirmation.
And when that came, Amelia would walk
away from this farce forever.
It was only a matter of time.
The phone call came through
unexpectedly. Amelia stared at the screen, her heart beating slightly faster as she saw Camille’s name flash. She had been
waiting for this, knowing the conversation was inevitable.
“Amelia,” Camille’s voice crackled with a faint hint of excitement as she picked up.
Chapter 5
“I’ve got some news for you. Can you come meet me at my house?”
Amelia’s stomach fluttered with
anticipation, and for the first time in days, she felt a sense of calm settle over her. This was it the moment when everything she had been working toward would finally fall into place.
“Of course, Aunt,” Amelia replied, her voice steady. “I’ll be there shortly.”
The drive to Camille’s house felt longer than usual, though in truth, it was only a matter of minutes. Her mind was focused on the conversation ahead, wondering what Camille would say. When she finally arrived, Camille greeted her with a warm smile, ushering her inside.
“So,” Camille began, settling herself comfortably into the couch, “I talked to the principal of that university you were concerned about. It’s all good, Amelia. You‘ re free to return anytime you wish. I’ve already vouched for you.” Her voice
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was filled with quiet pride, and Amelia couldn’t help but smile at the sincerity in
her words.
Amelia’s heart swelled with gratitude, and she leaned back against the couch, her breath finally releasing from her chest. “Thank you, Aunt. I really appreciate everything you‘ ve done for me.” She met Camille’s gaze, her voice calm but steady. “I’m ready to go tomorrow. I want to leave
tomorrow.”
Camille’s eyes brightened, and she nodded immediately. “Okay, then. I’ll book your plane ticket, arrange everything you need for university. It‘ ll be done.”
Amelia felt a wave of relief wash over her at the simple act of Camille‘ s support. There was no need for further words, but they
both knew how much this meant.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Camille asked, her voice soft but caring.
Amelia hesitated for a moment, then shook
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her head, her lips curling into a faint smile. “No, Aunt. That’s everything. I couldn’t thank you enough.” She met her aunt s eyes, trying to convey the depth of her appreciation without words. “I’ll never be able to repay you for this.”
Camille’s smile faltered slightly, her gaze softening as she studied Amelia closely. “You don’t have to thank me, Amelia. You’ve done enough.”
There was a brief silence, but it wasn’t
uncomfortable. Amelia knew Camille
understood the weight of her decision, and that understanding was all she needed. But then, there was one last thing that had been bothering her–one last request that she had to make.
“I just have one more thing,” Amelia said, her voice steady but firm. “If Adam asks where I’ve gone, please… don’t tell him. Tell him you don’t know.” Her words came out almost in a whisper, but Camille’s sharp gaze caught the
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underlying tension in her voice.
Camille blinked, surprised by the request. “You didn’t want to tell him you were
leaving?” She asked, her tone one of disbelief.
Amelia gave a small shake of her head. She thought to herself, What would I tell him? Should I tell him that I got close to him on purpose, that I played the perfect Luna because I was paid to do so? Should I tell him I was just doing a deal? Or should I tell him that I frantically chased after him, pretending to care, just so I could pull him together from the wreckage of his past relationship? Amelia let out a slow breath, shaking her head. None of it matters. anymore. His first love, Bridgette, is back. Even if I leave, he won’t care.
“I don’t want to inform him, Aunt.”
Camille‘ s expression softened, her gaze sympathetic as she reached out to gently touch Amelia‘ s arm. “Amelia, I understand. You‘ ve had enough of all of
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this.” There was a long pause as Camille lett her words settle. “You don’t need to explain. I won’t tell him anything.
You‘ re free to leave with no strings.
attached.”
