Chapter 4

Walker drove me home.

He comforted me the whole way, cooing as if I were a child, but I knew his heart wasn't with me.

In the past, I would have stopped being upset, playfully clinging to him, but now I stayed silent, and he didn't notice anything wrong. "Audrey, I have to go handle something. Stay home and wait for me, okay?"

I looked at his anxious expression and spoke softly. "You're already planning to bond with someone else. Why bother comforting me?"

Walker froze, a flash of panic crossing his eyes before he gave a helpless smile and touched my face. "Baby, don't overthink it. She was lying to you. We agreed, didn't we? On our anniversary, I'll take you to the Moon Goddess, and you can bring Emily to witness it."

Even now, Walker insisted on involving Emily.

I pressed my tongue against my cheek and let out a soft hum.

If he wanted Emily there so badly, I'd make it happen, but I couldn't guarantee what she'd bring.

I flashed my sweetest smile. "Okay, I trust you."

Walker sighed in relief and leaned in to kiss me, but I gently pushed him away.

I hugged myself, feigning hurt, tears streaming down. "Walker, you don't even care about me. I told you this morning I wasn't feeling well..."

Walker's patience seemed to wear thin as he sighed and lowered his head, but he quickly adjusted his expression. "It's okay, Audrey. Just rest."

Then he left.

I picked up my phone and texted Emily. "Emily, he did hurt me. Promise me a few things, and I'll tell you his name."

By the time Emily and I finished discussing, it was evening.

I headed to the kitchen to make something to eat.

But as I reached the bedroom, a stranger grabbed me from behind, a silver blade pressed against my neck. "Audrey, do you remember who I am?"

My heart pounded like a drum as I racked my brain for the voice, but nothing came up.

Before I could speak, the person leaned close to my ear and whispered, "I'm one of the rogue wolves who kidnapped you back then. It's normal for a princess not to remember."

The blade pressed closer, and I felt my heart nearly stop as memories flooded back.

This was indeed one of those rogue wolves.

But I had heard a similar voice more recently.

Yesterday at the hotel, among those watching my videos with Walker-it was him!

My chest heaved, and cold sweat dripped down.

As I thought of ways to overpower this vile creature, the rogue wolf was suddenly kicked away.

I watched Walker expertly send the man flying five meters, and my heart calmed.

But it ached at the same time.

Walker was only worried I'd leave him and ruin his plan to get revenge on Emily.

He staged this to pull me closer to him.

The thrill I felt when we first met now turned into disgust.

Walker rushed to me, frantically checking for injuries, then kissed my forehead in relief. "Audrey, thank goodness you're okay! My men warned me they saw a rogue wolf near our house, looking like he'd break in, otherwise..."

His eyes reddened, and he sniffled. "I don't know what would've happened..."

I watched his performance with a calm heart, feeling nothing but revulsion. "Really, Walker?"

He nodded eagerly, leaning in to kiss my lips as if claiming credit.

But the moment he did, I ducked, grabbing the silver blade from the floor.

Before he could question me, I plunged it into his body. He stared at me in disbelief. "Audrey, what are you doing!"

I looked at him coldly. "This is the blade that cut Ursula, right? It's fake. You won't die."

Walker's eyes widened, his whole body trembling in panic.