Hearing Alpha Justin’s urgent voice snapped me awake. For a brief moment, I was disoriented, unsure of where I was.

       I stumbled to the door and opened it in a daze. Relief washed over Alpha Justin’s face when he saw I was unharmed, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

       “What the hell is wrong with you? Ignoring my calls and messages—were you trying to scare me?”

       Still groggy, I glanced at my phone and saw the numerous missed calls. While I had been fast asleep, another rogue attack had broken out nearby.

       “Sorry, I was sleeping too deeply and didn’t hear anything,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

       Alpha Justin’s expression darkened. “Don’t lie. You’re terrified of rogue attacks—you’d never sleep through one.”

       He wasn’t wrong. Every time danger loomed, I’d stay up all night, shaken. And in the past, he would always sit by my side, reassuring me that no matter what happened, even if the packhouse fell, he would protect me to the very end.

       For a brief second, my heart warmed at the sight of his disheveled appearance, his shirt misbuttoned as if he had rushed over in a panic. Maybe… he still cared?

       But that foolish hope shattered the moment my eyes landed on the fresh bonding mark on his neck.

       No. He didn’t rush here because he cared. He was just keeping a promise—to his dying brother. I was nothing more than an obligation, the pitiful widow of his Alpha brother.

       “I must’ve been too exhausted,” I replied flatly.

       Alpha Justin studied my face for a long moment, his frown deepening. Then, with cold indifference, he snapped, “You look like a ghost. Did you do this just to get me to come here?”

       I froze.

       Before, if I had looked pale from fear, he would’ve comforted me, told me everything was okay.

       Now? He thought I was pretending—scheming.

       I forced a smile, though inside, I felt like I was drowning in ice. “Sorry for ruining your night, Alpha Justin Jones. You should go back and keep your mate company.”

       His lips pressed into a thin line at the sound of his full name. For a fleeting moment, I caught something unreadable in his gaze, but it disappeared before I could decipher it.

       “You’re coming back with me,” he stated firmly. “If another attack happens, I’ll feel better knowing you’re safe. Besides, this will stop you from pulling another stunt like this.”

       I shook my head. “I won’t cause trouble. Just go.”

       Alpha Justin let out a frustrated sigh, his patience wearing thin. “Because of you, I had to leave Joey alone. Couldn’t you be more considerate?”

       Something inside me snapped.

       I had already aborted our pup. I was leaving without making a fuss. Was that not enough? How much more did he expect from me?

       Before I could respond, his phone rang.

       A soft, tearful voice came through the speaker.

       “Justin, when are you coming back? I’m scared…”

       His entire demeanor changed. His tone softened as he reassured her, “Joey, don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”

       Then he turned to me, silently urging me to cooperate.

       That was enough for me.

       At least, at the first sign of danger, I had crossed his mind. After everything, he had still come to check on me.

       But that was the end of it. We weren’t family. He had already taken care of me for years. If I still couldn’t understand when to walk away, I was the foolish one.

       “It’s fine. You can go,” I whispered.

       But Alpha Justin wasn’t interested in my compliance. Without another word, he grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder, carrying me toward the elevator.

       I kicked and struggled, demanding he put me down. In the process, his phone slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

       I barely had time to process what had happened before a sharp sting shot through me.

       Alpha Justin had smacked my backside.

       The sound echoed through the hallway.

       We both froze.

       The warmth of his palm lingered on my skin, sending a wave of heat through me. Memories of that reckless night flooded my mind, making my face burn.

       A passing young she-wolf gasped, covering her mouth in shock before darting around the corner. I overheard her whisper excitedly to her friend, “I just saw the cutest couple! I bet they won’t leave their den for days!”

       Alpha Justin stiffened, his usual composure shattered. His entire face, down to his neck, flushed red.

       In the next second, he shoved me away like I was scalding hot. “Look at the mess you caused! This is a disaster. I should’ve never bothered coming for you!”

       With that, he picked up his phone and stormed off without another glance.

       I staggered, gripping the elevator doors to steady myself. The moment they began closing, my legs finally gave out, and I collapsed to the floor.

       He was the one who dragged me away. He was the one who crossed the line.

       And yet, he was the one ashamed?

       What about me? What about the life I lost because of him? Did that mean nothing?

       A sudden pain twisted in my stomach, followed by the unmistakable sensation of warm liquid trickling down my legs.

       My vision blurred.

       The last thing I heard was a young Omega’s panicked voice.

       “Hey, your mate just fainted!”