Chapter 4

Bella POV

Once Rick is gone, I take a moment to take in my surroundings. The guest room is unlike anything I've ever seen. It's enormous, with a high ceiling adorned with an intricate chandelier that casts a warm, golden glow across the space. The walls are painted in soft shades of cream and gold, and the furniture is elegant, with intricate carvings and luxurious fabrics. A four-poster bed with white, gauzy curtains dominates the room, and a plush rug covers the hardwood floor. By the window, a cozy seating area overlooks the forest, the view as beautiful as a painting.

I've never been in a place so beautiful. It feels almost like a dream, one I don't quite belong in.

My thoughts are interrupted when Lily enters the room. She carries a tray of food, but her expression is cold. Hostility radiates from her as she sets the tray down on a table near the bed.

"Why are you here in our pack?" she demands, her tone sharp and accusatory.

Her question catches me off guard. I take a step back, unsure of how to respond.

"I... I didn't mean to intrude," I stammer. "I was just..."

"You shouldn't be here," she interrupts, narrowing her eyes. "Alpha Rick doesn't bring strangers into our territory for no reason."

Her words sting, but I don't have the strength to argue. Instead, I lower my gaze and mumble, "I'll leave as soon as I can."

Lily huffs, turning on her heel and leaving the room without another word. The door clicks shut behind her, leaving me alone again in the beautiful yet intimidating space.

When I am finally alone in the room, the silence feels heavy, pressing against me like a weight. My gaze drifts to the elegant furnishings, the grand bed, the glowing chandelier, the soft curtains that frame the window. It's beautiful here, but I can't shake the ache in my chest.

My thoughts wander back to my old pack. The memories flood in, sharp and bitter. I can't believe they turned away from me. My own pack my family,My mate rejected me when I needed them most.

The faces of those I once trusted flash in my mind, their expressions cold, their words cutting. I thought Cole loves me. But when the accusations started, no one stood by me. They let me be cast out, alone and afraid.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them away. I refuse to cry. Not here. Not now.

My hand brushes the faint bruises on my arm, the lingering evidence of my struggle to escape. They wouldn't even listen to me, wouldn't give me a chance to explain.

Why? The question echoes in my mind, unanswered.

My old pack, the Blood Stone Pack, the pack where I had grown up, where I'd found my sense of belonging had turned its back on me. The weight of their betrayal was suffocating, a cold knife twisting in my chest every time I thought about it. The rejection severed my connection to Cole, and though that bond was no longer there, the pain of being accused of something I hadn't done was far worse.

They thought I cheated on him. Me. The idea was absurd, yet their accusations stung like silver against bare skin. My mind replayed the day it all came crashing down, the harsh whispers, the cold stares, and the way Cole had looked at me, his eyes once filled with warmth and love, now only held anger and disgust.

I clutched my chest, trying to suppress the ache that threatened to consume me. The humiliation burned deep, a constant reminder of how quickly love could turn into hatred. I had loved Cole, and I thought he'd known me better than anyone. How could he believe such a vile lie?

I shake my head, forcing myself to push the memories aside. This isn't the time to dwell on the past. I'm safe now, for at least safer than I was before. But the pain of betrayal lingers, a wound that no amount of distance seems to heal.

With a deep breath, I lie back on the bed, staring at the intricate patterns of the ceiling. I don't know what my future holds, but one thing is certain, I'll never trust so easily again.

The sharp knock at the door yanked me from my thoughts. Startled, I blinked and quickly wiped away the stray tear that had escaped. The pain lingered, but I forced myself to push it down as I crossed the room.

When I opened the door, Lily stood there, her expression stony. "Dinner is ready," she said curtly, her tone leaving no room for argument. I simply nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.