The servant wisely stayed far down the corridor.

Everyone in the estate knew exactly what the Alpha had been doing.

“Aria, what are you—”

His words were cut short when Aria hurled the pouch of gold and the payment slip straight at his chest.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped.

Her voice trembled with fury.

“Do you find our situation amusing? Do you really believe I would accept money from the man responsible for putting my brother in that bed?”

Caleb sighed heavily.

“You’re struggling,” he said quietly. “I thought—”

“You thought what?” she interrupted sharply.

“That you could play the generous Alpha and pay for my brother’s care?”

Her eyes burned with hatred.

“You’re the reason he’s lying there in the first place. You and your sister are the most disgusting wolves I have ever known.”

His expression darkened instantly.

He stepped closer.

“And what about your brother?” Caleb shot back. “Your brother attacked my sister.”

A bitter laugh escaped him.

“And now he tries to take his own life? That only proves he’s guilty—”

The rest of his sentence never came.

Aria’s hand struck his cheek with a loud crack.

“The case is still before the Pack Council, Caleb Lutherford,” she said coldly.

“Until the elders deliver their judgment, you have no right to condemn him.”

Her voice hardened.

“I trust my brother. And you will watch him be declared innocent with your own eyes.”

Before he could react, Caleb grabbed her arm.

Aria immediately jerked away.

“Don’t touch me.”

She raised her hands as if his skin were something filthy.

“I cannot believe I ever loved you,” she said bitterly. “I cannot believe I once dreamed of spending my life beside someone like you.”

Caleb stared at her silently.

“I was mated to a selfish Alpha who only cares about power and control,” she continued.

“That was my mistake.”

His chest tightened painfully.

“Remember this, Caleb,” Aria said quietly, meeting his gaze without fear.

“One day you will regret everything you’ve done.”

“You’ll crave comfort. You’ll long for real love.”

Her voice dropped into a whisper.

“But when that day comes… you’ll be completely alone.”

She held his gaze steadily.

“You will suffer more from regret than from any punishment the pack could give you.”

“What you did to my brother will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

“And the worst part is…”

Her voice softened.

“You won’t even be able to forgive yourself.”

Her words struck him like blades.