Chapter 2: A Broken Bond

Ruby’s POV:

"N-no... no way..."

The plaintive voice of my inner wolf, Leia, echoed in my head. She saw and felt everything I was going through as those despicable voices continued behind the door.

A part of me wanted to burst in, confront them, and demand justice for everything I deserved. But another part—the weary and fragile part—knew I wasn't strong enough to face the sight of that betrayal head-on right now. With what little strength I had left, I pulled myself away. I covered my mouth, desperately trying to stifle the pitiful cries that threatened to escape as I fled.

Once I made it to the main bedroom, a sharp jolt of pain twisted my stomach. My hand instinctively reached for the bathroom doorknob, and I barely made it to the sink before vomiting up the burning acid that seared my throat. The husband I loved was cheating on me with my own sister, and on top of that accursed thing—

His daughter had just died, and now he's fucking my sister as easily as he breaths! How could he do this to me?!

It didn't take long for me to completely break down. The smell of blood from fresh wounds filled the air. I had been crying and screaming for what felt like hours. The bathroom was a disaster—items were strewn everywhere, most shattered against the walls. My eyes ached, and the pain in my head pounded relentlessly.

"Oh my goodness!"

Martha rushed in, turning off the shower. She found me curled up on the bathroom floor, soaked and trembling. Her scream echoed through the room when she saw what I was holding in my right hand.

"My lady! No, get rid of that!" she cried in terror.

Martha effortlessly pried the piece of glass from my hand. I had no strength left to push her away. My body felt paralyzed.

"Oh gods," she gasped, her face wincing. "What's happened to you, my lady? You're bleeding everywhere! Dear heavens, look at these bruises!"

I blinked, my expression empty. If she could see every wound I carried, it still wouldn't capture the depth of my broken heart.

"Okay... okay, no worries. I've got you," Martha murmured, wrapping a towel around my body. Her voice was soothing, though I could still hear the tremor of panic underneath. "Let's get you somewhere dry first."

Martha cradled me in her arms, using all her strength to carry me out of the wreck I'd created in the bathroom. She gently set me in a chair she'd pulled over. Like a hollow shell, I let her take over—handling everything, even me. She didn't say a word or press me with questions as she went about her task.

I wondered if her silence was a way of telling me I should be grateful. Grateful that my heart was still beating, that I had been stopped from slashing my veins, or that she hoped I'd think more clearly, just as she had urged me before.

"Think clearly?" I repeated the words bitterly in my mind.

I was sure I was on the verge of madness now.

"All done," Martha said softly, patting the collar of my dress. "Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes, my lady. Would you prefer to go to the dining hall, or shall I bring it to your room?"

Blinking sluggishly, I lifted my gaze to her. "Breakfast? Is it morning already?"

"Yes, my lady. It's twenty minutes past seven."

Worried creases were clearly etched on Martha's forehead. I glanced at the pendulum clock on the wall, then turned toward the open window. Sunlight spilled onto the earth. Oh... it really is morning.

"I see," I faltered.

"You didn't notice at all?" she asked cautiously.

"All I know is that my lungs are still functioning. I wonder why?"

I could hear the anger in my weak tone. This was the second time I'd spoken rudely to Martha. I had never misbehaved toward her or any of the staff before—especially Martha, for whom I had great respect. But after everything that had happened, my emotions and reason were in chaos. I wasn't in control.

The two people who were likely sitting in the dining room right now should have been held accountable for what I was enduring. A wave of nausea surged through me as the disgusting memories resurfaced. I quickly covered my mouth, trembling violently.

"M-my lady?" she called out, her voice filled with concern.

Both of her hands rested on my shoulders. "Are you in pain anywhere else, my lady? W-wait, I'll call the healer right away."

"No, there's no need," I said, my breath labored. "I have to go downstairs."

Martha backed away unconvinced. "Are you sure, lady?"

I glanced down at my left hand, now wrapped in a fresh bandage, and absently stroked the plasters on my neck and one on my cheek.

"Yeah, no worries," I replied as I stood up.

"I-I mean it in another way. I'm worried about you, milady. Lord Lucienne appeared last night—"

"I'll handle it," I interrupted before she could finish. "And—"

I paused, turning back momentarily to look at her with a bitter expression. "Thank you for everything, Martha."

"Enough, Dad!" Calliope's voice cut him off.

Father fell completely silent the moment he heard Calliope's voice.

"You can't treat my sister like that! She's had a hard two days. Please, Father, show some understanding," she pleaded.

Father sighed. "You're too nice for your own good. This is just a reprimand for your sister's rude behavior toward her mate."

"And I don't need that little compliment. Please, just let it go. It's still early."

"Calliope's right," another family member added. "Let's stay calm. Yesterday was a long day for Luna Ruby."

"But—"

Dominic finally spoke up. "I understand Ruby's situation, Father. It's fine. I'd do the same for our daughter, too."

My chest burned when I heard that. The dining hall suddenly turned into a place of mourning. Mom's quiet sobs followed, soon joined by Ruby's. Father retreated, and several family members followed.

"Finish your breakfast, my Luna. I'll accompany you afterward."

With that, my restraint snapped. Anger mixed with pain crashed fiercely into my core.

"Alpha," I said, gripping my fork tightly, my lips pressed into a thin line. "Thank you for your concern. I really needed it."

"Well, lucky for us, that urgent operation only took one day. So today, I'm here for you," he said.

I nodded with bitter irony. "Right…"

"...Must be thanks to the efforts of our blonde pack member I saw last night at the Alpha's Den."

The clatter of falling cutlery echoed through the room, and I lifted my gaze and saw Calliope's face turning pale.

"Isn't that so, little sister?"