A Bond of Deceit

As Kaid fed me the porridge, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. His smile, his gentle touch, it all seemed so...insincere. I knew he was trying to make amends, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was only doing it to ease his own guilt.

I took another spoonful of the porridge, my eyes fixed on Kaid's face. He seemed so sincere, so genuinely concerned for my well-being. But I knew better. I knew that beneath that charming smile, he was still the same person who had chosen Sophie over me, who had stood by and watched as I was beaten and humiliated.

As I finished the porridge, Kaid set the bowl aside and took my hand in his. "Sarah, I know I hurt you," he said, his voice low and husky. "But I promise to make it up to you. I'll do whatever it takes to regain your trust."

I looked at him, my expression neutral. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he had hurt me. I didn't want to give him anything.

"Thank you for the porridge, Kaid," I said, my voice flat. "But I'm tired now. I need to rest."

Kaid's face fell, but he nodded and stood up. "Of course, Sarah. I'll leave you alone for now. But I'll be back, and we'll talk more about this."

As he walked out of the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I was glad to be rid of him, glad to be alone with my thoughts.

I had just laid on the bed and my phone buzzed. I picked up my phone only to find Sophie's message teasing me. Her words were a reminder to me, a mock, as she wrote [Have you seen the truth, sis? No one wants you, neither Kaid nor our parents. Just a word from me was enough to get you humiliated in front of the public. Guess what would they do if tell them I lost my child because of you?]

I clenched my fists reading her texts, wanted to shut it off but she again texted me, this time along with a picture. She was eating icecream, wearing Kaid’s jacket over her shoulders while Kaid was stroking her hair. She wrote [To ease my mood, he took me to ice parlour at the midnight. The shop was closed, but that didn't stop him. He sent his beta to get the shop owner and forced him to prepare a ice cream for me, and when I was feeling cold, he gave his clothes to me, rubbed my hands and feet. So sweet. Has he ever done something like this to you?]

[After that, he took me home and stayed by side the whole night. He only left when someone notified him that were opening your eyes.] She added, [You see your worth in his eyes now? It's nothing!]

Just then Kaid walked up inside. He came closer to me, wanting to reach out to my hair to stroke, but I stepped back, not letting him stroke me like he did the whole night for Sophie. He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Are you still tired?”

I didn't say anything. He let out a sigh from his lips before he walked up to the window and lighted a cigarette. Just then the door of the infirmary ward opened and a tall and strong man walked inside. His gaze swept at me, then fixed at Kaid.

“Alpha Kaid, We-” he instantly stopped, shooting another glance at me he began, this time in ancient language, “We have won the challenge. Gareth is defeated and his Nightshade pack is ours now.”

A flicker of smile appeared on Kaid’s lips. He Immediately said, “That's great! It will be the perfect b’day gift to Sophie. I’ll soon hand the ownership of Nightshade pack to her.”

“But, Alpha,” Kaid’s beta continued, “The Alphas of the alliance pack who fought with our knights are demanding something in return.”

“What are they demanding?” He asked, his voice careless, “Give them whatever they want. I just want Nighshade pack for Sophie and let her know I can give her what her husband can't.”

“They are demanding Silver Wing Pack, a pack Luna brought along with her as her dowry.” Kaid's beta said. A lump was formed in my throat. It was the closest thing to my heart and I gave it to Kaid on our wedding night, thinking he would take care of it better than me. But he didn't even hesitate for a second before he added, “It's a pack of old wolves who are good at nothing but some healing techniques. Just give it away.”

After throwing out these words without empathy, as if recalling something, he added, “Just tell Luna that we lost that pack in a rebellion if she ever asks about it.”

His beta nodded in agreement while Kaid walked up to me. While sitting beside me, he said, his voice sweet and gentle, as if he had never said those cruel words just now, “Honey, I got some urgent work to handle. I have to leave now. You take good care of yourself, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

I stared at him in disbelief as he placed a kiss on my forehead and left with his beta. How could a person be this fluent and confident in lying?

I didn't see a single curl on his forehead while cheating me. I now understood why I couldn't doubt this man’s true intentions even after living years with him. But not anymore!

I rubbed the skin harshly on my forehead where he had kissed me just now. It was disgusting to me. Later on, I took out our wedding ring that has his claw inserted on it, a symbol of our bond. I placed it on the side table, picked my phone and blocked him, my sister and my parents.

With a calm, calculated fury, I stood up and walked out of the ward, leaving Kaid and his pack behind.