Daniella is worried that her determination to leave the pack and join as a healer with the Sharp Claws pack will waver if she lets herself get caught up and drowned in these emotions. Taking a deep breath, Daniella said, "You are the renowned Alpha of the unbeatable Black Shadow pack. Now that you have given me free healing, I should be thanking you. In fact, many people can barely even make an appointment with you. I must have taken a shortcut to get here and receive treatment like this."
Alpha Darren frowned slightly but did not answer immediately. He couldn't shake the feeling that the woman's words contained a hint of sarcasm, as if she were deliberately provoking him. Suppressing the annoyance that arose within him, Alpha Darren refocused on treating Daniella's injured ankle with his abilities.
Only after finishing the first session did he finally speak and reveal something he had decided. "Camilla's residence was broken into by a pack of unknown wolves from an unknown pack. I have arranged for her to stay here for a few days to ensure she stays safe and no one gets hurt. You know that lately there have been packs of wolves attacking our pack members without any identity. While we are tracing where these wolves are coming from, I want Camilla to stay here."
Daniella froze; the reason behind her good behavior towards Daniella suddenly became clear. No wonder Alpha Darren was acting unusually before. His strange actions over the past few days—stealing the house keys that Daniella was holding, suddenly cleaning the guest room—make sense now. The few days he planned to stay would turn into such a long time; clearly, this had been planned by him long in advance. Alpha Darren had made all the decisions even before telling Daniella and pretended to ask for permission.
Daniella paused for a moment but ultimately chose not to refuse. Her smile looked faint, but there was a clear trace of bitterness there. "It's okay. Do what you think is best." Daniella's light and indifferent response immediately dampened the explanation that Alpha Darren had prepared in his mind in case Daniella would reject this.
Seeing Daniella agree without resistance, the tension in his furrowed brows eased. "You don't mind?" he asked, her tone filled with disbelief.
"Not at all." Daniella's answer came without hesitation. Alpha Darren looked relieved. He stood up and said that Daniella's gradually healing wounds still needed rest, so the Alpha asked Daniella to be careful and engage in light activities. "You might be able to take care of her recovery well and properly. Now I take my leave to accompany Camilla—she must be bored sitting alone in the living room. I will visit you again later."
Daniella nodded while smiling, but her heart felt a different kind of pain. Alpha Darren received the response he was hoping for, after which he immediately prioritized Camilla again down there and left Daniella alone once more for the umpteenth time. Just as Alpha Darren's hand touched the doorknob to leave, he suddenly turned around, his tone suddenly filled with warning.
"Daniella, Camilla is always sensitive. Next time, don't be rude in front of her—it might make her angry." This refers to Daniella going into her room while Camilla was welcoming her arrival. But what could Daniella do out of courtesy for Camilla? Sit and eat the leftovers of their food? Under the bed, Daniella clenched her fist until the knuckles turned white.
However, she still had to force a smile on her face. "Alright. Please convey my apology to Camilla." She bedience pleased Alpha Darren, and with a nod, Alpha finally left the room. As soon as the door closed, Daniella could no longer hold back her tears. In the end, tears streamed down her cheeks despite her efforts to hold them back.
She is the mate who has marked him as a partner, a man she has loved for these three years. However, those three years did not see Alpha's heart truly belong to Daniella even for a second. The stabbing pain in his ankle was nothing compared to the unbearable pain in his chest.
Her battered and bruised heart felt like it was collapsing under the weight of her sorrow. After ensuring the pain in her leg was relieved with a small massage, Daniella then lay alone in the cold and quiet room, listening to the sound of laughter echoing from the living room downstairs. Finally, thirst forced her to leave the bedroom.
Finally, thirst forced her to leave the bedroom. While stumbling down the stairs, she reached the water dispenser and found that the cup she usually used was missing from its place. Instead, there was a new cup—one she didn't recognize. It didn't take long to guess whose it was.
