Memories from last night tore at her sanity. All through the ordeal, he thought she was Evelyn. When he went rough with her, and she cried out, he would kiss her neck and try to be gentle, but the drug was too strong.
Despite his state, he was still able to tell the difference between her and Evelyn's body.
"Why aren't you tight like you used to be, Evelyn? Your scent is gone, Evelyn. Where is your scent!"
When he talked about the scent, Markkus was very angry and thrust into her without care, tearing her apart.
Miranda glanced at the sheets, there was a pool of barely dried blood. She wasn't a virgin, yet last night hurt her more than when she was deflowered.
How could Markkus compare her to an omega. How could he say an omega was tighter than she was… How dare he!
She fisted the sheets, her knuckles cracking as the rim of her eyes turned red. It was all Evelyn's fault. If there wasn't Evelyn, she wouldn't be humiliated so terribly.
…
After leaving his quarters, Markkus hurried to the servant quarters and barged in, but Evelyn wasn't there. He frantically searched around the pack house, still, he couldn't find her.
He asked around for her, nobody knew where she was. Then he mindlinked the warriors close by to spread the word. Whoever saw Evelyn would be rewarded.
Not long, he got a clue of where she was. Markkus turned into his grey wolf and dashed to the forest.
Arriving at the forest, he spotted Evelyn in the distance, squatting beside the lake, hugging her legs as she focused intently on the water.
He quickened his pace and soon got to her, transforming into his human form as he did. Covered in thick, and long grey fur, he called out gently. "Eve?"
Evelyn lifted her head, seeing who it was, she bit her lip, suppressing the urge to go to him. She turned away and continued to watch the still water.
He pulled her up, hands on her shoulders as he turned her to face him. "I promise you, Eve, I didn't do it on purpose. I was drugged. My mom did it."
Evelyn looked at him in the eyes, tears dropping down her face. "I understand my place."
He frowned, "What are you talking about now?"
"I don't want to cause more troubles for you, Mark." She held his face. "You know how much I cherish you. Seeing you hurt will break me apart." She shook her head, "I don't want to do this anymore."
"Evelyn? Are you giving up on me? On us?" He looked shocked and broken.
Evelyn looked away, wiping her tears. What could she do if she chose to stay? Could she fight against the Alpha's family, the whole pack, or Miranda?
Evelyn has thought it through. After what Miranda and her maids did to her, it was obvious that Miranda wouldn't want to share. And even if she did, Evelyn could only become a miserable concubine. Her life and her children's lives would be worse off than hers right now.
"I'm sorry, Mark. You've slept with her already, and now, there's no turning back. They won't allow you to break her heart." She placed a hand on his chest. "It's too soft. It won't let you hurt her."
She was talking about his heart. A gentleman like Markkus would definitely want to take responsibility for both women, but in women's world, it doesn't work that way.
"In other words?" He asked, waiting with bated breath to know what she was driving at.
"I, Evelyn…" she swallowed. She didn't even know what her last name was.
For the first five years, she was addressed by different names, including a harlot's offspring, until Napua was awoken. Napua gave her the name, Evelyn.
"I Evelyn re–" before she could finish the words, Markkus slammed his lips against hers, silencing the rejection she wanted to proclaim.
He was angry, hurt, desperate, and frustrated. How could she choose this route? How could she think of giving up just like that?
No, he wouldn't allow it. He wanted her, he needed her, he loved her!
Evelyn tried to push him away, but he held her firmly in place, pressing her against his chest, making sure she couldn't break free.
Her sleepyhead wolf was in slumber, so how could Evelyn fight against an angry Alpha-to-be?
He kissed her until she submitted, and returned the kiss, her cheeks stained with tears. Her heart was in pain. She couldn't see herself rejecting this man. It would break her beyond repair.
As the two reconciled over a kiss, they were unaware of the two people watching them from afar.
One was Vlad, and the other was a wolf, who had been following Markkus from the moment he left the pack.
Vlad remained on top of the mountain. He saw the black wolf, which was tailing Markkus now hiding behind the trees, but did nothing.
Watching the two kissing burned his eyes, and made his heart ache. If he were to kill anyone, it would be Markkus, instead of the black wolf, whom he believed was bad news to the couple.
Shortly after, the black wolf left the scene and returned to the pack to report his findings.
…
Luna Livia, a richly dressed woman in a red gown, sat across from Miranda who wore white, as they talked over tea. The two seemed amicable, and the atmosphere was harmonious, until Luna Livia asked about the incident from last night.
Miranda stiffened for a moment, then smiled shyly, "It went as planned. He treated me gently, Aunt."
The woman scoffed, "You don't know how to lie, so don't play that game with me, Mira. Tell me the truth, what really happened last night?" the Luna pressed her for more information.
Miranda's smile faltered, and she looked away, "He...he was rough," she admitted in a small voice, biting back a sob that threatened to spill. "He left this morning without checking on me and went to look for her." She held the Luna's hands. "Aunt, Mark loves her a lot. She's his mate. It's not right to separate them."