Marked in Shadows

During my time in the hospital, Matteo never once showed up.

His guards would just send me messages from time to time asking about my condition and telling me to rest well.

I was in the hospital for over a week. Once my body was fully recovered, I returned to the company.

During my hospital stay, the pack's gossip about Matteo and Sabrina never stopped.

"Alpha booked out the entire Firefly Park for Sabrina's birthday. The whole pack gets three days off to celebrate."

"Alpha gifted Sabrina his family's heirloom gemstone. Her position as future Luna is practically sealed."

"Sabrina likes the sacred relic from Meadowbrook Pack. Alpha failed to get it for her several times and is rumored to be planning a war to take it."

Countless trending topics flooded in on social media, with new articles breaking every hour. Faced with all that news, I just quietly put down my phone.

At that moment, I realized I could calmly accept Matteo's devotion to Sabrina.

After being discharged, I returned to the company and continued to work diligently as usual. During that time, I tried to avoid direct communication with Matteo, entrusting all pack work to the next Beta.

When I placed the documents he needed on his desk and prepared to leave, Matteo called out to me from behind.

"This afternoon, I'm going on a business trip to Shadowridge Pack. You and Sabrina are coming with me."

My body stiffened. Just as I was about to refuse, Matteo shut his office door. I swallowed my protest and kept silent.

During the afternoon trip, Sabrina kept complaining about the long journey. Even so, Matteo showed no sign of annoyance, just comforting her patiently.

The car stopped at the foot of a mountain where the path was rough and uneven. It was so narrow that it could only fit one person at a time. We had no choice but to get out and hike on foot.

Sabrina threw her bag at me with a disdainful look. "Carry my bag."

We walked a long way, and none of us noticed the danger quietly approaching from behind. The grass by the roadside rustled, and several rogues who had been lurking for a while burst out of the bushes.

"Sabrina, watch out!"

The rogues lunged at us viciously, and Matteo shielded Sabrina behind him, kicking one rogue away.

Another rogue immediately switched targets, thrusting a silver dagger toward me. Trapped in the circle, I could not dodge in time, and the blade plunged deep into my shoulder.

The wounded area burned like flames. As blood kept pouring out, my strength gave way, and I fell to the ground.

The rescue team arrived quickly, and the rogues fled in panic.

In my daze, I heard two urgent voices.

"Alpha, Alyssa was injured by silver. She needs to be rushed to the hospital immediately."

"Save Sabrina first! She's passed out!"

Then, I lost consciousness.

...

In my haze, I heard familiar sobbing sounds. I struggled to open my eyes and saw Penelope's swollen, red eyes.

"Alyssa, I got a call from the hospital saying you were hurt by silver and almost died! I was so scared for you."

It had been a long time since anyone had worried about me. In that instant, all the pain I had been holding back came crashing down.

I could not hold back anymore and cried in Penelope's arms.

We held each other for a long time.

Penelope sat by the bed, preparing some fruit for me while chatting about lighter topics.

"We haven't seen each other much since graduation. How have you been? You're not getting any younger, Alyssa. It's time you dated someone. Once you're better, I'll introduce you to some hot guys so you can take your pick."

I pressed my lips together. "I'm not interested in dating right now."

Penelope handed me the fruit. "That won't do. I showed your photo to people around me, and they're all fighting to have me introduce you to them."

Just as she finished, the door burst open.

Matteo walked in, his face like thunder. "Who gave you permission to do that? Stay away from shady people."

Penelope pouted. "What do you mean by 'shady people'? Those are my friends. Besides, Alyssa is just your Beta. What right do you have to interfere with her love life?"

Hearing that, an inexplicable fire ignited in Matteo's heart, and his words came out in anger.

"I'm your brother, Penelope. When I say no introductions, that's final. Feelings can't be forced, and it's not something you can fix with a setup."

Yes, feelings could not be forced. I finally understood that.

I forced a smile and quickly changed the subject. "Alpha, what brings you here?"

Seeing that I was not in life-threatening danger, Matteo relaxed slightly. He kept avoiding direct eye contact, as if he were guilty of something. The words of concern reached his lips, but after thinking, he swallowed them back down.

Eventually, he said, "Nothing much. Penelope hasn't been home for three days since she's taking care of you. I'm just here to take her home."

"Alright, Matteo, but Alyssa is still weak and needs someone to take care of her. I'll stay with her until tonight."

After Penelope finished speaking, she pushed Matteo out, leaving just the two of us in the room.

She watched his retreating figure and sighed. "He was anxious enough to mobilize the entire pack's blood bank to give you transfusions. Why is his attitude so cold when he sees you?"

My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly came to my senses. After all, I knew that he just did not want to be blamed by the elders for a Beta's death.

My heart was completely numb, and I would not be moved by any bit of his tenderness anymore. During my hospital stay, I occasionally heard the healers discussing in the VIP room upstairs.

"The Alpha really cares about Sabrina. He's mobilized all the nutritionists to prepare meals for her."

"That's not all. The Alpha personally brings her tea and water, and the gifts sent to her room every day are piling up. She's truly the future Luna."

Once, those words would have cut me to the bone. However, they did not stir me at all then. I had finally stopped loving him.