Chapter 4：Apologize to Flora
767words
I ignored the doctor's warning text.
I tossed back 5 pills at once.
The escalating agony forced me to increase my dosage just to function.
Mike burst into the living room, snowflakes melting on the shoulders of his black coat.
"What are you doing here?"
I quickly slipped the pill bottle into my pocket.
"What were you just taking?"
He frowned, eyeing the water glass in my hand suspiciously.
Mike had always been observant with a keen sense of smell. Thank god these pills were odorless.
"Nothing. Just vitamins..." My heart raced despite my casual tone.
"Whatever. I don't care about your supplements," he cut me off impatiently, his voice turning cold. "I came here to tell you—"
"Sophia, you need to apologize to Flora."
Demanding. Non-negotiable.
My grip tightened around the water glass.
"Apologize?"
"You need to own up to your childish behavior. Flora's been crying in the hospital non-stop because of you."
I took a deep breath and replied evenly: "But I was the one who was poisoned."
Mike's eyes flashed with disgust.
"Don't be dramatic. You look perfectly fine."
As a broken werewolf, no one could sense my pain.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs as Dane descended from his study.
"You're making too much of this, Sophia."
Not a big deal...
I looked up at him, incredulous.
This was day two of our cold war, and those were his first words to me.
I set down my glass, bitterness flooding my mouth. "So you think I should apologize too?"
He remained silent. Just then, I spotted Mrs. Astrid in the hallway, leaning on James Butler's arm.
Dane's grandmother clutched her ornate cane, her expression regal and unyielding.
Her calculating eyes took in the scene, yet she offered no support on my behalf.
Even though I'd once stayed awake for three straight days nursing her through a fever.
But I'd always known she found me lacking.
I used to adore Dane's ocean-blue eyes.
Before, one look from him would make my soul sing.
Now, his cold, uncomprehending stare suffocated me.
"What exactly did I do wrong?"
Dane reached for my hand, but I jerked away.
The glass shattered on the floor.
"It's just a simple apology, Sophia. What's gotten into you?"
A shard sliced my fingertip, blood welling up and its metallic scent filling the air.
I curled my bleeding finger into my palm and stepped back. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you all. I won't apologize."
Concern flickered in his eyes. "Your hand is bleeding."
"Werewolves heal instantly. She's just trying to manipulate you! Flora is the one who needs your concern!" Mike snarled.
His eyes flashed crimson with rage.
"Enough!" Astrid thumped her cane on the floor as she approached, sighing heavily.
"Flora is a sweet child. If you refuse to apologize, Sophia, then in two days—on Christmas—your birthday celebration will become a prayer ceremony for Flora's health."
In two days was my birthday.
Dane had been planning it for months. He'd held me close and promised to throw the most lavish birthday celebration the pack had ever seen.
But now, Dane said nothing to contradict his grandmother.
I knew then he would break his promise.
Just then, both his and Mike's phones chimed with messages from Flora.
Mike glanced at his screen. "Flora says she's feeling worse. I need to go to her now!"
"Poor dear." Astrid shook her head and turned to leave.
Mike rushed out, and Dane's face twisted with concern as he followed with long, urgent strides.
Neither of them spared me a second glance.
I stood alone in the empty hallway.
I uncurled my palm, watching blood pool in my hand.
That's right, werewolves heal instantly.
But I was dying, long stripped of my healing abilities.
I dragged myself outside to the greenhouse I'd lovingly maintained for Dane.
Inside bloomed all the roses he once claimed to love.
He used to spend hours here with me, but he hadn't visited in months.
A massive Christmas tree stood in the center, a glowing wish orb hanging from its highest branch.
"Write your birthday wish inside, and I'll make it come true." He'd once promised me so tenderly.
——
"Want to see the Northern Lights with Dane."
The words floated on the orb's surface. I smashed it to pieces.
Just like I was destroying the part of me that still yearned for his love.
Before leaving, I called over the gardener.
"Tear out all these roses. Every last one."
