Agony fell short; she was shattered.
Charlotte, a werewolf, endured relentless abuse, leaving her utterly fractured. Austin, her supposed mate, subjected her to constant mistreatment and even infidelity.
In a daring escape, she fled, only to encount...
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After Lily had her talk with him, Leon didn't return and went straight to his office. I couldn't help but think that he didn't deserve to be angry with me; it should be the other way around. He didn't understand how deeply he had hurt me, and each of his words felt like a thousand knives piercing my heart.
I spent the whole day watching television and drifting in and out of sleep. I missed our afternoon sessions, but if he wasn't going to make the first move, neither was I.
I was lying on my bed when I heard the front door close, signaling his return. He entered my room and positioned himself so that we were at the same height.
"Charlotte, Lily explained to me what you heard. But you got it all wrong. I was trying to tell John to make the first move. Everything you heard outside was just me being blunt. After that, I said it was just an example. When I mentioned that I didn't love you yet, it meant that I felt I didn't love you more than you loved me. And I will try harder," he explained gently.
Every word he said was like a lifeline, but I couldn't decide whether to believe him. Was it all true, or was he just trying to cover up? I couldn't risk getting hurt again and again.
"I... I want... to be... alone," I muttered, my voice trembling with fear that he might not allow me to.
"Okay," he sighed, respecting my decision. I could see dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he hadn't been sleeping well. Neither had I.
The whole night, I lay in bed, trying to make sense of everything. Eventually, I decided to forgive him.
The next morning, I went downstairs and found him sitting there. He glanced up at me, and I hesitantly sat next to him.
"I... I forgive you," I muttered.
His face immediately lit up with a smile as he grabbed me and placed me on his lap, hugging me and inhaling my scent.
My wolf rejoiced at the familiar embrace, and she had been urging me to forgive him all along, but I wasn't ready at that time.
"You want to do something today?" he asked me.
"Okay," I agreed.
We settled on going shopping for the day. He took me to different stores, and I didn't really know what to buy. I was still afraid that if I spent too much, he might turn abusive, just like Austin.
Leon picked out some clothes for me and asked me what I wanted, but I remained quiet. He grabbed some clothes in my size and went to the cashier, with me following closely behind.
"My parents want to meet you today. We're going to have dinner. Is that all right with you?" he asked.
Meeting his parents? I wasn't sure if I was ready for that, but I didn't want to disappoint him or his parents, so I agreed. The thought of his parents asking about my past made me nervous because I was already struggling to tell Leon.
We drove back home, and as soon as I entered, I caught a different scent in the air. I opened the door and was greeted by a beautiful girl with blonde hair, big eyes, and an attractive figure. But she wasn't looking at me; her gaze was fixed on Leon.
"Leon, I missed you so much! I'm finally back for good," she exclaimed, running to him and hugging him, which he reciprocated. I just stood there, feeling like a third wheel.
My wolf couldn't help but feel jealous, and I let out a small growl, though I knew I had to keep quiet and obey him. I had no right to intervene, or I would be punished.
