The door creaked open as Sab stepped out of the shower, the steam trailing after her like a soft mist. She slipped on a robe, rolling a towel into her damp hair. In the dim, golden light, she looked breathtaking—her freshly washed skin glowed, and her blue eyes held the deep, serene allure of the ocean at night. She stretched her neck, feeling a slight tension creeping through her shoulders, a nagging discomfort she dismissed as mere fatigue. She'd felt this lingering unease ever since leaving the university, but shrugged it off.
Crossing the room, she stopped in front of the large dressing table and studied her reflection with a small, knowing smile. "No wonder everyone wants me," she murmured, her tone teasing.
With a flick of her wrist, she lit a cigarette, placing it between her lips and inhaling deeply. She exhaled a slow plume of smoke, the tendrils drifting lazily through the air as she walked onto the balcony. Taking a seat, she gazed out over the city, cigarette in hand, lost in thought as she enjoyed the quiet moments of solitude.
Sab exhaled a plume of smoke, her eyes drifting closed as she leaned back in her chair. The sounds of the city—the blare of car horns, distant chatter of voices—faded into the background. Lost in thought, images from that night with Jaeha resurfaced, unbidden. She remembered every flicker of expression he'd given her: the way his body trembled beneath her touch, the bruised flush of excitement on his skin, and the horror in his eyes when she'd forced the mark on him. It was a potent memory, one that lingered with vivid clarity. She couldn't deny it had been quite a sight.
As she relaxed, her pheromones subtly thickened the air around her, amplifying her own emotions. She tightened her grip on the armrest, feeling a surge of heat rise within her as her pulse quickened. Her eyes opened slowly, piercing the night as she caught herself, shaking her head to dispel the tempting thoughts before they could deepen. She took one last steadying breath, letting the cool night air soothe her, reminding herself to stay in control.
"What a lowly bastard," Sab muttered, a sharp edge in her voice as she thought of Jaeha. She knew he was trouble—someone who wouldn't tolerate any provocation without retaliating. But she hadn't expected him to stoop this low, to drug her and even destroy a lifelong friendship just to satisfy his own bitterness.
It wasn't as though she didn't feel a pang of regret for what she'd done; she knew her actions had been harsh. But he deserved it, she reminded herself.
"I can't let him keep having his way while everyone is getting into his mess," she murmured to herself, steeling her resolve.
Sab hissed in discomfort as a heavy, oppressive feeling spread across her neck and chest. Shifting in her seat, she tried to shake it off, inhaling another puff of smoke before rubbing at her chest. Her heartbeat quickened, her breathing becoming shallow and labored. The unease grew, slowly morphing into something darker, something painful.
"What… what is happening?" she muttered, trying to stand. She tossed the cigarette into a nearby pot, but before she could fully rise, an unbearable pain shot through her body, forcing her back down.
"Agh—what—" She gasped as the pain intensified, as if her chest was being pierced by a thousand knives and her skin cut by invisible blades. Her body trembled violently, each breath a struggle. Tears streaked down her face as veins pulsed along her neck, her fingers clawing at the armrest for support. She tried to stand, to move, but her body refused. She was trapped, helpless.
Another wave of agony tore through her, and she screamed, her voice raw and desperate. Drool slipped from her lips as she fought against the relentless pain, terror gripping her heart. It was as if her life was slipping away, and the thought filled her with a deep, visceral fear. She couldn't die like this—there was still so much left unfinished, so many things she had yet to do. More tears splattered onto her hands, and as her vision sharpened, she saw bruises blossoming across her skin, dark and terrifying, spreading with each pulse of pain.
"What… what is this?" she stammered, struggling to breathe. Turning her gaze to the window, she caught her reflection—a face bruised, marred, with fresh bruises forming even now. Another surge of pain crashed through her, and she collapsed to the floor, her body shuddering uncontrollably.
As she lay helplessly on the cold, unforgiving ground, a memory from high school flashed through her mind: a lesson on secondary characteristics, mates, and bonds. She remembered her teacher's words—how Alphas were superior in endurance, strength, and resilience, and how dangerous it could be if a bonded mate strayed. The pain, the bruises… it was all part of the mate bond. If one marked mate took another partner, both mates would suffer unbearable agony. Some even died from it.
Everything clicked into place, and realization dawned, sharp and unforgiving. Jaeha was with someone else. The knowledge seared her heart with fresh pain, not just from the bond, but from the betrayal itself. Tears continued to spill as her vision blurred, her body going limp under the weight of it all. She couldn't take it any longer, darkness closing in as she passed out.
"Jaeha… you bastard," she cursed weakly, her last thought a venomous vow before unconsciousness took over.