The Shadows 5

Chapter 5 

Fueled by that last spark of determination, I walked out of the hotel slowly. 

Evric was probably still at the hospital with Celeste. I returned to the pack house, grabbed my belongings, and left, 

without looking back. 

At the hospital, Evric hadn’t slept well. Though he had managed to secure the chance to purchase the necklace Celeste wanted, a faint unease still lingered in his heart. 

Early that morning, while Celeste remained fast asleep, he left the room and, almost involuntarily, headed toward the hotel from the night before. 

On the way, a flower shop caught his eye. Bellflowers were in season. 

He thought of the promise he had broken and, for some reason, got out and bought a bouquet. 

He also made up his mind to take me to pick out a new pack house today. He wouldn’t let me serve as a servant anymore. 

But when he arrived at the hotel room, bouquet in hand, he found the cleaning staff inside tidying up. 

I was nowhere to be seen. 

He grabbed the cleaner’s arm and asked, “Where’s the Omega who stayed here last night?” 

“I don’t know,” the cleaner replied. “She was already gone when I came in.” 

Evric froze. He assumed I was just tired and had returned to the pack house to rest. 

He immediately called Alden. “Alden, has Nerina come back? Her contract’s about to expire, right? Let her know we’re updating the terms. She won’t need to do servant work anymore. Tell her to wait at home for the new contract from my 

lawyer.” 

A long silence followed on the other end. 

Just as Evric was about to lose his patience, Alden finally replied, hesitantly, “Evric, Nerina said she won’t be renewing the 

contract this time.” 

“What? How could that be possible? She’s always eager to renew it every year. Why would she refuse now? Was the salary not high enough?” Evric asked, unable to believe it. 

Alden sighed quietly and explained. “Evric, you and Celeste are about to seal the mate bond. Maybe Nerina feels like it’s 

inappropriate to stay in the Ebonhart Pack anymore.” 

Evric was quiet for a moment, then tried to argue, “Why would it be inappropriate? As long as she does whatever Celeste asks and doesn’t cause trouble, no one would make things hard for her!” 

Alden didn’t respond, but inwardly, he couldn’t help thinking: 

Nerina’s been obedient her whole life, and even then she was tormented by Evric and Celeste. If she stays any longer, she 

might not survive at all. 

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Out loud, though, he remained tactful. “Evric… when I saw her this morning, she was covered in injuries, barely hanging on. In that state, I doubt she has any strength left to serve you and Celeste.” 

Injuries? Evric’s whole body stiffened. 

His mind jumped instantly to what had happened the previous night. 

He had no idea Mr. Langmere had such sadistic tendencies. 

With that thought, he demanded to know Mr. Langmere’s location and drove straight there. 

Victor Langmere was in a fine mood when Evric arrived. 

Upon seeing him, he laughed and said, “Evric! That little gardener of yours was quite something. Tell you what, if I give 

your mate another necklace someday, how about you send her over again?” 

Evric’s expression darkened with every word. He had thought it would be nothing more than a casual one-night stand. He 

hadn’t realized he had handed me over to a monster. 

Fury surged through him. Without a word, he lunged forward, grabbed Mr. Langmere by the collar, and punched him hard 

in the face. 

Mr. Langmere staggered back, dazed, then roared, “Evric, what the hell is wrong with you?! Are you insane? Why the hell are you hitting me? Don’t you want that necklace anymore, the heirloom of your mate’s mother?” 

Veins bulged in Evric’s neck as he growled, “You sick bastard! Who the hell gave you the right to torture Nerina like that?!” 

Mr. Langmere scoffed. “You handed her over to my bed yourself, so why should you care how I treat her? She’s just an 

Omega you cast aside. What’s the point of acting like you’re feeling guity now?” 

His mocking tone pierced straight into Evric’s chest. 

He released his grip and stumbled back a few steps, defeated. 

He had no right to feel angry. He was the one who had handed me over to another Alpha. He was the real culprit in all of 

this. 

Still burning with rage, he launched another flurry of punches at Mr. Langmere before storming out and racing back to the 

pack house. 

He needed answers from Alden. 

He had to know everything about my condition. 

But when he finally reached the house, what greeted him was a withered, ruined garden. 

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