Chapter 4

Ember POV:

I didn't leave that night. My shoulder was dislocated. I had popped it back in-a sickening clunk that nearly made me pass out-but I needed supplies.

I dragged myself to the Alpha's city penthouse. I had a key. I figured he would be at the Pack House.

I was wrong.

The elevator opened. Estelle was there.

She was lounging on the leather sofa in one of Julian's silk robes, drinking wine. The room reeked of her-artificial roses and vanilla masking something sour underneath.

But underneath that... Julian.

"You have some nerve," Estelle didn't look up from her phone.

"I need my medical bag," I rasped. "Then I'm gone."

"Good." She stood up. "This place is getting crowded."

Julian walked in from the bedroom. Shirtless, towel around his waist. Domestic. Belonging to her.

He stopped.

"I thought I told you to leave," he said wearily.

"I need my things."

I walked to the utility room.

"Wait," Julian said.

He opened the hall closet. He pulled out a white garment bag.

My heart stopped. The mating dress. The white silk gown I had bought four years ago.

"Take this trash with you," Julian said. He tossed the bag at my feet. "Estelle found it. She was upset that you kept old clothes in her closet."

I looked at the bag. Then at the kitchen trash can.

I picked up the bag. Walked to the bin. Unzipped it, pulled out the shimmering silk, and shoved it down on top of coffee grounds and eggshells.

"There," I said. "Problem solved."

Julian flinched. A tiny twitch.

"You're heartless," he muttered.

"I learned from the best."

I grabbed my medical bag. Estelle stepped in my path.

"Julian," she whined. "She's looking at me with those creepy eyes. I don't feel safe."

Julian sighed. He wrapped his arms around her waist, glaring at me.

"Ember, get out. You are upsetting my Mate."

"She's not your Mate," I said quietly. "And one day, you'll realize you're holding a snake."

Julian growled. A low, warning rumble.

"Get. Out."

I walked to the elevator. As the doors closed, I saw him turn her around and kiss her.

I didn't cry. I was done crying.

I went to the lobby. It was pouring rain.

I checked my phone. Flight cancelled due to storm. Next one in two days.

My bank account declined. Julian had cut me off.

I walked out into the rain. The water stung my burns.

Two days. I just had to survive two days.