Chapter 5

When Thalia woke, she found herself lying in her own bed.

She turned her head and saw Drake beside her. Noticing her gaze, he opened his eyes and pulled her into his arms, his voice soft with a guilty timbre.

“Thalia, you’re awake. Do you want to sleep a little longer?”

Feeling the warmth of his chest—the steady, familiar heat of a mate and pack-bond—a sharp ache cut through her and she pushed him away.

“Drake, what are you pretending for?”

He froze, then answered, “I’m sorry. I thought Mother was only trying to scare you. I didn’t think those two retainers would actually lock you in the cellar.”

“Mother went too far this time, but you were the one who hurt Naeryn.”

Even now he made excuses. Thalia let out a cold, humorless laugh. “If you hadn’t said what you did, would they have dared to lock me up?”

She paused, then added, “Since your mother already treats Naeryn like her real daughter-in-law, why don’t I just leave? Then you and her can be together and your mother won’t be upset every time she sees me.”

With that, she rose and started to walk away.

Drake moved quickly and pulled her into a hug, his voice shaking. “Thalia, after three years together, I won’t let you go.”

“Are you still upset about Naeryn? Then I’ll ask her to move out. I won’t see her again.”

His words might have fooled a naive girl, Thalia would not fall for them again. She shoved him away.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, the bedroom door burst open and Naeryn stood in the doorway, frozen, eyes wide, tears welling.

“No need to kick me out. I’ll take Fiora and leave right now.”

With that, she turned and hurried away. Drake sprang from the bed in a panic and chased after her, not even glancing at Thalia.

Thalia followed him down the hall.

Naeryn waited on the second-floor balcony, staring down at the two-meter-deep swimming pool below. Her eyes were rimmed red as she faced Drake, voice trembling. “Drake, if even you don’t want me anymore, then I’ll just jump. I know you and Thalia are the real couple, but I can’t stop feeling jealous.”

“Please take care of Fiora after I’m gone. Don’t try to stop me.”

She stepped toward the railing.

Drake lunged and wrapped his arms tightly around Naeryn, eyes full of anguish. “I’m sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have said those things. The one I truly love is you. We still have Fiora. If you really jump, what will happen to her? What about me?”

He looked at Naeryn with an affection that made Thalia’s skin crawl. Watching their little spectacle unfold, Thalia stepped from the shadows and slowly began to clap.

When Drake saw her, his face went numb. He opened his mouth, then finally said with difficulty, “Thalia, I’ll explain everything tonight, okay?”

She shook her head and met him coolly. “No need. I’ll leave on my own soon. I won’t get in the way of your love.”

She turned to go, but Drake reached out as if to stop her. Before he could touch her, Naeryn stepped between them.

“Thalia, please don’t leave Drake because of me. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have brought Fiora here and I shouldn’t have gotten so close to Drake. I should be the one to leave.”

Naeryn’s false contrition made Thalia sick.

“Are you done? If so, move aside.”

Instead of stepping back, Naeryn grabbed Thalia’s arm. “Thalia, you and Drake have to stay well. That way I’ll feel better even if I leave…”

Thalia gave a mocking smile and wrenched her arm free.

The next instant Naeryn screamed, flung up an arm and stumbled backward.

Drake, panic-stricken, shoved Thalia aside and lunged to catch her. He held Naeryn at the waist, voice trembling with relief.

“Thank goodness you’re okay. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

He did not see Thalia slip from the balcony, she fell into the pool below.