Chapter 5：I Don't Give a Damn
700words
So I went home one last time.
I came from a loving family; both my parents were respected Beta leaders.
My parents had always adored me, even though my siblings were distant, constantly orbiting around Flora.
But just thinking about my parents still warmed my heart.
When I arrived, Mom was knitting a sweater, reading glasses perched on her nose. Her face lit up when she saw me.
"Darling! What a lovely surprise! Come see the sweater I'm making you."
I ran my fingers over the soft yarn, my heart aching with emotion.
"Your birthday's in a few days. What would you like?" She took my hand and gasped. "Goodness, your hands are like ice! Are you feeling okay?"
I nodded, fighting back tears, and forced a casual tone: "I'm fine, Mom. Just... there won't be a birthday party this year."
She looked surprised for a moment, then smiled reassuringly. "Well, the Alpha throws you one every year. It's fine to skip one—you'll have plenty more birthdays to celebrate."
"You're the Alpha's mate now. You have responsibilities to the pack. It's time you gave him an heir."
She eagerly pulled me to see her handiwork—tiny hats, booties, and onesies she'd been knitting for my future child.
"I can't wait to meet my grandpup."
……
Before I left, Mom pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"You look pale, sweetheart. Don't push yourself too hard. May the Moon Goddess watch over you."
The biting wind stung my eyes as I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my voice steady. "I will, Mom. You take care too."
The driver took me back to the Smith estate, where the entire mansion buzzed with activity.
Servants rushed about, preparing for Flora's prayer ceremony.
The prayer ceremony was a sacred ritual reserved only for Lunas in our clan.
It symbolized the pack's collective prayers for their Luna's health and safety.
I wasn't a Luna—just the Alpha's mate.
Without my wolf spirit, I could never be Luna.
Laughter echoed from the living room, a stark contrast to the tension from earlier.
Flora had returned from the hospital, flanked by Dane and Mike.
When they spotted me, the laughter died instantly.
Flora's cheeks flushed as she ducked behind Dane, feigning fear.
The atmosphere turned glacial.
Dane's expression darkened. "Sophia, drop the attitude. Flora's been released from the hospital—you should be happy for her."
Mike stepped forward, playfully flicking Flora's forehead before positioning himself protectively in front of her.
"What are you scared of, kiddo? I've got you covered."
To them, I wasn't a wife or sister.
I was the villain.
I laughed bitterly to myself. Just then, Flora spoke up, her nose reddening as tears welled in her eyes.
She looked absolutely pitiful.
"Sophia, haven't I suffered enough? Can't you forgive me already?"
I shrugged. "If you want my forgiveness, you might as well die too."
The moment the words left my mouth, Flora's tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Shut up!" Dane's face contorted with rage as his Alpha power filled the room.
"Sophia, how dare you say something so vile!"
My werewolf instincts responded to his dominance, my knees buckling beneath me.
Dane was using his Alpha power against me for the first time. He knew damn well I couldn't withstand it without my wolf.
He'd once sworn to protect me forever when I lost my wolf spirit.
But now, that promise meant nothing.
I gripped the wall for support, fighting to stay upright.
A flicker of regret crossed Dane's face, but he quickly hardened his expression and looked away.
"You've been too defiant. Consider this your punishment."
"Sophia, just apologize to Flora and the Alpha will forgive you," Mike suggested, arms crossed smugly across his chest.
Dane watched me intently, clearly expecting immediate submission.
"Take this chance, Sophia. Don't test my patience again."
No one noticed the slight smirk on Flora's lips as she nestled in his arms.
I gripped the railing and climbed the stairs one by one. This time, I was the one who didn't look back.
"I don't give a damn."
Dane's hands clenched so tightly that Flora winced in his grip.
"You'll regret this," he growled.
