My Mate’s Betrayal

The relentless shock of betrayal hit me so hard that my body gave out. I collapsed onto the ground, still weak from my brush with death.

“Clatter!”

Oh, shoot. My foot accidentally knocked a loose stone by the steps.

Immediately, Rowan’s alarmed voice rang out from inside. “Who’s there?! Who’s outside?!”

Without thinking, pure instinct took over, and I forced my body to move.

I retreated as fast as I could toward the small garden by the courtyard. Then, I deliberately let myself fall.

“Rowan? Is that you?” I called out, struggling to keep my voice steady, as if nothing was wrong.

“Mia? Why are you here alone? Weren’t you supposed to stay at the Moonshadow Palace for a few days?” He gently helped me up. “Are you hurt? Did you twist your ankle?”

In a panic, Rowan had rushed out shirtless. My gaze was locked on the fresh love bites littering his exposed chest, glaring proof of his betrayal.

Thinking I was still blind, he didn’t even bother covering them up.

“I’m fine. I called you so many times earlier, but you didn’t pick up. I got worried, so I came to check on you.”

Yes. Just hours before I was murdered, I had tried to reach him again and again.

“I must’ve fallen asleep. Work has been exhausting lately, and my phone probably ran out of battery.” He casually dismissed my concerns while effortlessly lifting me into his embrace and carrying me back inside.

“You shouldn’t be out alone this late, Mia. You didn’t even bring a wolf guard with you. What if something happened to you? Do you know how worried I’d be?”

Rowan pressed a kiss to my forehead. His voice was as tender as ever, like he hadn’t just been cheating on me moments ago.

He set me down on the couch and kneeled to rub my ankle. Evidence of their recent affair was scattered all over the living room, and right next to me was Evelyn’s lingerie.

Sitting across from me, wearing my pajamas, was my dear little sister. The moment she saw me, she froze.

Oh, Evelyn must’ve been shocked to see me alive.

The heavy scent of lingering desire in the air made me nauseous. Unable to hold it in any longer, I gagged.

“What’s wrong, Mia? Are you feeling sick?” Rowan asked, his voice full of concern. “The Moonlit Wedding Ceremony is in just three days. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself until then.”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine. I must’ve caught a chill running over here too fast.”

“Then rest for a while. I’ll make you a tonic. You need to keep your strength up.”

Ever since I lost my sight, Rowan had been making me different tonics that were supposedly good for my vision.

“Alright. Remember to add two lemon slices for me, okay?” I tried my best not to let my unease show as I sat still on the couch.

A few minutes later, Rowan brought the tonic over. “It’s still a little hot. Let me stir it for you.”

However, as he stirred, I noticed something unusual.

White powder swirled inside the bowl, dissolving into dark, murky bubbles.

Was Rowan poisoning me all this time under the guise of making me ‘healing’ tonics?

The spoon was already at my lips, but I couldn’t smell anything strange.

No. I can’t drink this!

I faked another gag and made a move to knock the bowl over.

“Mia! Are you alright?” Rowan asked anxiously.

I let my body go limp and pretended to faint.

“Huh? Is she faking it?” Evelyn muttered under her breath.

“Shut up! You know medicine, don’t you? Check her condition. She can’t afford to get sick now!”

My palms were damp with sweat. If Evelyn saw through my act, I’d be finished.

“She’s fine. Just a bit of shock and some cold symptoms. She’ll probably wake up by morning.” Then, she added, “What did you put in her tonic just now?”

I wanted to know, too.

“Just medicine to keep her from regaining her sight. As long as she stays blind, she’ll rely on me completely and only love me,” Rowan said coldly.

So this was who he really was. I can’t believe I risked my life to save this man seven years ago!

Suddenly, I felt something warm trickling from my nose.

Was this the witch’s price?

A wave of numbness swept through my body, and I could feel the life draining out of me.

I was dying.