Marked in Shadows

I watched Matteo and Sabrina walk away, and a sharp ache pierced through my chest. After leaving his office, other pack members rushed over to help treat my wounds.

Someone grumbled, "Sabrina knew that mountain was dangerous and still sent you there. She clearly did it on purpose."

Another chimed in, "She just wants to get Alpha Matteo's attention."

I did not say anything, but my heart felt inexplicably bitter.

At last month's gala, the Alpha from the most powerful pack in the north showed interest in me, offering three years' worth of supplies in exchange for me becoming his lover.

Matteo refused without hesitation.

Even when the other Alpha raised it to five years' worth of supplies, Matteo did not budge and actually fought him right there. He was willing to cut ties with that pack entirely just to protect me.

At that moment, I thought maybe Matteo had finally fallen for me.

Nonetheless, a bed partner was ultimately just a bed partner. No matter how hard I tried, his heart would always lean toward Sabrina.

Her barely scratched skin mattered more to him than all my wounds combined.

I worked tirelessly for Matteo, constantly expanding pack territory and establishing partnerships with other packs. However, in his eyes, I was nothing compared to Sabrina.

A suffocating feeling overwhelmed me, and the heartache made it impossible to breathe.

By the time I finished organizing everything, it was already dark. Just as I was about to call a cab home with my exhausted body, I received a call from Matteo.

"Bring me the allergy medicine from my desk drawer."

I returned to the office and took the medicine. Then, I grabbed a cab and headed straight for Matteo’s mansion at top speed.

It had only been three days since I was last there, yet I almost did not recognize the place.

The entrance was filled with blue moon roses, and all the furniture inside had been changed to soft blue. Every antique painting in the mansion had been replaced with pearls, gemstones, designer bags, and cosmetics.

I could immediately tell that it was all for Sabrina.

With the allergy medicine in hand, I walked to the master bedroom at the far end and knocked on the door.

After a moment, Matteo opened it. He froze when he saw my swollen, injured body and asked, "You got poisoned by wolfsbane?"

I said nothing.

"Did you go to the hospital?"

I shook my head.

His expression darkened, and for once, his tone softened. "I'll give you a few days off. Rest at home for a while and come back to work next week..."

"No. After this month ends..."

I was about to tell him that I would be resigning soon, but before I could finish, Sabrina's voice drifted out from inside the room.

"Matteo, what's taking you so long?"

The words stuck in my throat, and I swallowed them back down.

Instead, I said, "Go. Don't keep her waiting too long."

However, Matteo did not leave right away. Instead, he handed me a credit card.

"Take this. Use it to plan a welcome party for Sabrina in a few days."

I nodded, took the card, and left the mansion.

The moment I closed the door, I heard Sabrina's dissatisfied complaint. "What took you so long? You better not have been distracted by some vixen."

"How could I? I only have eyes for you."

She huffed. "You're such a sweet talker!"

No matter how much Sabrina teased or scolded him, Matteo never got angry. He only smiled and comforted her with the gentlest tone.

I had once tried joking around with Matteo, but he only gave me a stern glare and warned, "The next time you act so casual, I won't be so kind."

Back then, I thought it was just his serious nature, but I realized it was simply because I was not the person he loved.