Chapter 158 Filthy
Chapter 158 Filthy
TESSA
Zaria’s grip was iron around my arm as she dragged me out of the clinic, her nails biting into my skin with the intent to leave scars. I stumbled along, trying to keep my balance, the floor seeming to spin with every step. Behind us, Dr. Cross’s voice thundered, echoing down the hall.
“Be careful!” he exclaimed. “She’s still recovering from her injuries.”
Zaria turned around with a glare. “A murderer shouldn’t be handled well.”
Her words pierced deeper than the grip on my arm. A murderer. Was that truly all I was now?
I heard the shuttle of boots as the other wolves held Dr. Cross down, suppressing his protests. His voice grew distant until it was gone.
The air outside slapped cold against my face as Zaria shoved me forward. I tripped, my knees hitting the ground before I steadied myself. She didn’t care, of course. To her, I was filth.
They hauled me into a clearing, a ring of accusing eyes forming around me. My heart pounded in my chest like a trapped bird in a cage.
“You killed her, right?” Zaria asked mercilessly. “Just like you killed our parents.”
Beside her, David smirked, the cruel curve of his mouth making the pain deeper.
They all looked at me with disgust. All of them. My pack. My blood. My family.
And Rowan, my mate, stood there with nothing in his expression. Just… indifference. That hurt more all the others combined.
“No,” I whispered. I forced myself louder the pain in my chest was unbearable. “No, I didn’t. I tried
-I tried to save her. The brakes-”
But I saw it in their eyes. Every word spilling from me fell into a void. No one believed me.
Not even Rowan.
Especially not Rowan.
My mouth went dry. I swallowed back the rest of my defense. What use was it, when every gaze screamed guilty before I even opened my lips?/
A sudden voice broke the tense silence.
“Future Alpha Rowan.”
We all turned. East officials arrived at the clearing, their insignias gleaming under the daylight.
“Alpha Randy,” Zaria greeted smoothly, her venom hiding behind civility. “Pardon for intruding. We were just looking for our pack membersr.”
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Chapter 158 Filthy
Alphia Randy’s voice carried authority. “I was told by Dr. Cross that he was beating two wolves. He’s one of the greatest unorthodox doctors in town, and a clean one, so we didn’t meddle. I didn’t know it was a pack member of yours
Zaria sneered as she glanced at me. “Might as well not consider her as such.”
My eyes darted across the clearing, searching, desperate for some lifeline to cling to.
And then I froze.
There. Among the East warriors. A short figure stood with one arm in a cast, the white bandage stark against his tan skin. My heart lurched.
Dustin.
My feet moved before I could think, stumbling and scrambling toward him as though the world had just cracked open.
“What are you doing?” Zaria’s voice snapped behind me, dripping with disgust.
I didn’t care.
“Dustin.” I breathed, my chest trembling with both hope and grief. “Please, help me.” My fingers clutched at the air, reaching for him.
Memories flashed in broken fragments. We were supposed to visit him. Ellana and I. She wanted to br him flowers and check in after his accident. She was so insistent about it. And then-
Ellana.
Tears stung the corners of my eyes.
“We were going to you. We were going to see you for your accident. Ellana’s gone. The brakes weren’t working.”
The words came out like shards of glass, slicing my throat on their way out. My chest heaved as silence fell.
The others looked at me with furrowed brows, suspicion on their faces, doubt heavy in the air.
“This is Dustin,” I said quickly, my voice shaking but determined. “Ellana’s mate.”
Rowan’s frown deepened at the mention. His eyes darted between me and Dustin.
I turned to Dustin, waiting, praying, clinging to the thin thread of hope that he would back me up, that someone would confirm the truth I was choking on.
But Dustin’s lips parted, and what came out shattered me all over again.
“I don’t know her.”
The world stilled.
I blinked, my breath caught mid–air.
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-17:03 Mon, 18 Aug 110
Chapter 158 Filthy
He didn’t know me?
The ground beneath me might as well have caved in.
“Dustin.” Alpha Randy said, his voice euiting through the tension. “What is she talking about?”
Dustin didn’t even flinch. His eyes were cold, his face devoid of any remorse.
“I don’t know.” Dustin replied flatly. “She must be out of her mind. I haven’t met her at all. I don’t know why she knows my name.
The words punched me in the gut, forcing the air out of my lungs. For a moment, I couldn’t even breathe. Dustin, who loved Ellana so fiercely, was now erasing everything? My lips parted soundlessly. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.
“Dustin, please,” I whispered, voice cracking. “You know me. You know what I’m saying is real–”
But Dustin only hardened, his jaw tightening as he shook his head. “Enough of this madness. She must be confusing me with someone else.” His tone was final and dismissive.
“Enough,” Rowan exclaimed.
I flinched at the hardness of it. His patience was gone. He stepped forward, inclining his head politely. toward Alpha Randy.
“Thank you for accommodating us, Alpha,” Rowan said. “I’ll sort it out with my pack.”
Alpha Randy gave a curt nod, his eyes darting briefly between us before motioning for his warriors to retreat. Zaria glared at me, David shook his head, and the others exchanged glances of contempt. One by one, they followed, their expressions spelling out exactly what they thought of me.
And then they were gone.
I was left standing there in the fading echo of footsteps. Only Rowan remained before me, arms crossed.
“Rowan…” I breathed desperately.
He scowled. “Do you realize how low you’ve sunk?”
The words burned. “I–I really didn’t-”
“You expect me to believe that?” Rowan’s eyes darkened, holding me there, pinning me down. “To drag another’s name into your pitiful excuses? To pretend you know him, to pull his grief into your schemes? How despicable.”
“I didn’t do anything, please,” I stammered, tears stinging my eyes, my hands trembling at my sides. Every word I spoke sounded weaker, smaller, like even I couldn’t believe them anymore.
“Your lies are disgusting,” he spat. “Every time you open your mouth, it’s filth.”
“I should have done this long ago,” he added quietly.
His eyes locked on mine, and then the words fell from his lips like the final strike of a blade.
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Chapter 158 Filthy
- Rowan Wrenmoor, reject you, Tessa Fen, as my mate.”
The world stopped. The silence afterward was deafening.
At that moment, I wanted my old heart–the fragile one–because at least then, it would break into pieces and scatter, and the pain would end. My chest throbbed with a hollow ache, but no shatter came. Just an endless echo of emptiness, stretching inside me like a void that promised no release.
I wished for a clean, absolute break. Because this endless half–suffering was worse than death itself.
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