Chapter 2

1

Caleb Blackwood dragged me out of the carriage with brutal force. My bridal veil fluttered to the muddy ground, my hair falling in a tangled mess over my shoulders.

A cruel, twisted smirk played on his lips as he looked down at me. "Elara, did you really come here to grovel for Genevieve? Are you that desperate to be my plaything?"

"You really are a piece of work," he spat. "Can you not survive a single day without a man's attention?"

His group of entitled friends burst into laughter, their eyes filled with malice.

"You're just a disgraced orphan, look at yourself," one of them shouted. "Being a mistress to an Alpha heir is more than you deserve. Get on your knees!"

They continued their relentless taunting, their words like venom.

I stared Caleb straight in the eyes, my voice trembling but cold. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Caleb let out a scoff of pure disdain. "Don't think that just because you played nurse for a few years, I owe you anything."

"Serving me was your privilege. If it's money you want, I have plenty of that."

He grabbed a handful of silver coins and hurled them at my face with all his might.

The heavy metal struck my forehead, and I felt the warm sting of blood beginning to trickle down. I curled into a ball on the cold ground, gasping in pain.

This was the man who once whispered sweet promises to me, swearing he would never let me down. How could he have become this heartless monster?

I forced myself to stand, my legs shaking as I glared at him.

"I wouldn't step foot in your house even if you offered me the position of Luna," I hissed. "I'm not here for you. I'm just passing through because I am getting married today!"

"Hahaha!" one of his cronies shrieked with laughter. "Keep lying! What a convenient coincidence!"

Another joined in the mockery, stepping closer to me.

"Exactly! You're just trying to save face. Do you think bringing a cheap carriage here will trick Caleb into taking you back?"

"If you're that lonely, go find old man Miller down the road. He's seventy, but his sons are young. Maybe they'll pass you around once the old man is done, haha!"

Their insults felt like ice water in my veins.

Three years ago, Caleb had collapsed in front of my cabin, bleeding and blind. I took him in when no one else would.

I worked myself to the bone, day and night, just to afford the medicine for his eyes.

I carried him when he couldn't walk and washed his body when he was too weak to move.

He had even stood before my parents' graves and promised to be my mate for life.

But now that his eyes could see again, his heart had gone completely dark.

"Since you broke our bond, we have nothing to do with each other," I said firmly.

"You will regret shaming me like this. My husband is a man of high status, and he will not let this go!"

"Oh, listen to her! Who is this mysterious husband? Tell us so we can go have a laugh."

One of Caleb's friends stepped forward and dumped a bucket of filthy water over my head.

It smelled of rot and salt, stinging my eyes and mouth.

"Stop your bullshit. Here, have a taste of my dirty wash-water instead!"

Just then, a carriage driver rushed over, shielding me from their next move.

"You bunch of bastards!" he roared. "The woman you are insulting is the bride of the Alpha King himself!"

"If you don't stop this, the General will have your heads when he arrives!"

Caleb froze for a second, then doubled over in laughter.

"Her? The Alpha King's bride?"

"She isn't even fit to scrub his boots!"