Chapter 5 She's Mine, Even

Carl's POV:

I seriously didn't expect she'd have the guts to fight back.

Eleanor was panting hard, glaring at me with flushed cheeks standing out against her pale face.

I rubbed the spot where she'd just slapped me, staring at her in disbelief. "You really hit me?"

She froze for a second, then awkwardly dropped her hand and stepped away, her eyes following her own fingers. Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh, and the hatred burning in her gaze could've set me on fire. "So what? Alpha Carl, you can hit me back if you want to."

"You're not exactly some saint who never raises a hand," she said flatly. "You're an Alpha-killing me would probably be easier for you than breathing."

"You-" Her words hit a nerve. My hand shot up on reflex. But when I saw those stubborn amber eyes staring me down, I couldn't do it-I dropped it.

Even though her face looked frail, it couldn't hide the fire in her. I'd never seen her like this before.

We grew up together. Eleanor used to be the kind of girl who always listened, soft-spoken like a whisper, and anytime something upset her, she'd run to me. She never said no to anything I asked.

But now? She talked back. She hit me. And damn, she had a temper on her. It's only been a month. How did Eleanor end up like this?

That thought hit me like a punch to the gut. I stood up abruptly and walked out of the bathroom without another word.

"Eleanor, clean yourself up," I said coldly, not bothering to look back. "I don't want to see you in this filthy state."

Back in the living room, I sat down, my chest tight with a dull ache I couldn't ignore. I didn't get why it bugged me so much. Maybe it was realizing for the first time she wasn't the girl I had in my head all this time.

Vivian's expression darkened the second she saw me reappear. She rushed over, her tone full of irritation. "Don't look at me-Eleanor did this to herself! I tried, but she insisted on eating that expired bread. What could I even do?

"I told Rosa to make her proper meals, but she kept refusing. She's just trying to make you feel guilty."

"That's right, our Luna asked for this," Rosa chimed in carefully from the side. "I think she wants to make you feel bad so you'll go crawling back. Don't fall for it, Alpha-Miss Snow's still waiting for you."

"Shut up," I snapped, glaring at her. My voice rose into a growl. "You're a damn housekeeper. An omega. Your job is to clean, not butt into things that aren't yours to comment on. So go do what you're paid for and stop talking like you matter."

Rosa shrank back, her head lowered, not daring to make a sound.

I dropped onto the couch, eyes fixed on Vivian's furious face. "You hate Eleanor. That's why you let them treat her like that."

My voice was low and tight. "If this kept up, what if she really died? I was gone for just a month-if I came back a few days later, she might've starved to death in that storeroom."

Lately, I'd been completely swamped, juggling everything for the pack. I actually trusted Vivian when she said Eleanor would just take some time to reflect. I didn't think she'd suffer like that.

Vivian fidgeted uneasily, her hands twisting nervously. She frowned. "Yeah, I arranged it. So what? Carl, you've always resented her, haven't you? Now she's agreed not to be your mate anymore-you should be thrilled."

She pointed at me, voice rising. "Just kick her out tomorrow. Tell Eleanor to get out of the Stormfang Pack!"

"...Mom." I paused for a few seconds, then looked at her calmly. "I'm not letting her go."

"What?" Vivian shot to her feet, completely stunned. "Don't tell me... you're actually in love with that damn she-wolf?!"

She started pacing, clearly anxious. "What about Katherine? She's almost back from overseas. I was planning to talk to the Crystal Pack about you two getting together as soon as she returns. Otherwise, why would I be so eager to push Eleanor out?"

"So just because Katherine wants to be my mate, I have to go along with it?" I said coldly. "And just because Eleanor wants to leave me, she thinks she can? No one gets to make that call for me."

"I will end the mate bond with Eleanor, but not right now. And you don't need to interfere anymore.

"One more thing, Mom. I'm moving Eleanor to my other private villa."

Vivian stopped in her tracks and spun around, furious. Her face flushed with anger. "I don't agree to that!"

"Doesn't matter whether you do or not." I got up and headed straight for the kitchen. I gave orders to prepare a decent meal and have it taken to Eleanor.

About an hour later, the servants headed upstairs with trembling hands, carefully carrying the dishes.

Eleanor had freshened up and changed into clean clothes. She sat at the table, spoon in hand, sipping soup with a blank expression. I pushed open the door to find her avoiding eye contact, looking down the whole time.

"Finally decided to clean up," I said, sitting across from her.

Eleanor glanced up at me briefly, then suddenly got up and rushed to the bathroom. I frowned, confused-then heard retching from inside.

That frustration just boiled up inside me. I snapped, "Eleanor, what kind of game are you playing this time?

"What, you saw me walk in and suddenly decided to pretend like this so I'd feel sorry for you?"

She wiped her face with some water after throwing up, then slowly came out and sat down at the table, ignoring the bowl of soup in front of her. Instead, she picked at a fruit salad, eating so slowly it was like time had stopped through the entire meal-still refusing to say a word.

I was getting more and more pissed. I gave a sarcastic laugh. "A month apart and look at you-got yourself some serious attitude now, huh? You seriously gonna sit there and only have a bit of fruit salad?"

Grumbling, I shoved a plate of steak in front of her. Eleanor barely glanced at it before her face twisted with disgust again. She turned away, hand over her mouth, trying to fight off another wave of nausea.

I felt like I'd just been slapped in the face-fury hit me so hard I stood up and slammed the table over, along with every plate and dish on it. "How much longer are you planning to act like this, Eleanor?!"

I honestly thought I'd already bent over backwards for her, but she never appreciated it-always pushing the limits.

She just stared at the mess on the floor, frowning, then dropped her fork like she'd had enough too.

"Come with me!" I snapped, grabbing her thin wrist and yanking her downstairs.

"Let me go!" Eleanor sobbed. "Where are you taking me?!"

I didn't answer. Face like a storm cloud, I just wanted to get this stubborn she-wolf out of there.

"Carl!" Vivian called out, clearly shocked. "Honey, calm down-Eleanor's messing with your head-"

But I'd already shoved Eleanor into the car and pulled away from the villa without a second thought.

She went quiet. Curled up in the seat, she stared blankly out the window, hugging herself like she was trying to disappear. For a moment, it looked like she finally relaxed, or maybe just gave up. Not a single word came out of her mouth after that.

I was still pissed-but suddenly, a thought hit me like a slap.

She threw up earlier... not because of me.

It was the food. She's been starving for so long she couldn't handle anything greasy.

I'd gotten it all wrong. And I was only just now starting to put the pieces together.