Chapter 47 Bernhard spat at Enzo, with a look of disgust in his eyes. I suddenly recalled what Bernhard had said back at the execution platform.
That he was initially in love with my mother, but Alpha Michael got in the way because Bernhard was a commoner and even broke his legs and kicked him out of the Pack.
No wonder Bernhard hated Enzo so much, as Enzo was also an Alpha.
Bernhard suddenly dashed towards me, dragging the shackles behind him. His eyes were bloodshot, with many wounds on his body. âAndrea, he doesnât really love you! Youâre just a marriage partner to him, a tool! Now that he knows youâre a Rogueâs daughter, do you think heâll still want you?â
I trembled, and my legs went weak at that.
âSoon, he and his people will abandon you!â Bernhard said as he pointed at Enzo. âJust like how your mother abandoned me!â It felt like someone had taken a hammer and slammed it into my heart. âMy mother abandoned you?â I couldnât believe it. I thought they had separated because of Alpha Michael?
âHmph! Your mother was a slut! She says she likes me, but instead of facing Alpha Michael together with me, she left! She let them break my legs and expelled me from the Pack!
âOur blood runs in your veins. You and your mother are like dirt to these people, and Iâm the same. He is out of your league. Only a true Alphaâs daughter deserves to stand by his side.
âIf you are smart enough to know your place, youâd be good and leave with me and give the Luna to Alpha Michaelâs daughter.â
âAre you really her father?â Enzo said sternly. âTrash like you doesnât deserve to be Andreaâs father!â
Enzo paused for a beat, then continued, âIf youâre truly her father, why are you speaking for Melissa?â
Bernhardâs eyes flickered for a moment, and he whispered, âI simply want her to be realistic.â âI think youâre the one who needs to be realistic. Your life is in our hands. If you want to live on, you should know not to go against me.â At that, Bernhard suddenly exploded, âThen kill me! Go ahead and kill me!â
Enzo grabbed my shoulders, pulling me back a few steps so I wouldnât get hurt by Bernhardâs outburst.
âKill me! Go ahead and kill me in front of Andrea! Weakling! Do it! Coward! Do it! Trash!â Bernhard furiously roared as though he had lost control of himself. Enzo frowned deeply. He was clearly infuriated by Bernhardâs madness and was thinking about killing him.
I was terrified that with the way Bernhard was provoking Enzo, Enzo might really take his life right at this moment.
Unexpectedly, after an intense wave of Alpha aura sweeping over me, Enzo grabbed my hand and led me out of the dungeon.
He only released me till we couldnât hear Bernhardâs voice anymore.
Enzo pinched the middle of his brow, pacing back and forth in front of me. After a few minutes, he stopped and took a deep breath.
âAre... Are you okay?â I asked.
Enzo looked at me. Even though he collected himself well enough, I could see the glow of suppressed menace in his eyes.
No one should challenge an Alphaâs authority, but Enzo had endured Bernhardâs insults for my sake.
Enzo gritted his teeth, his cheeks twitching. When he opened his eyes, all emtions had returned to his usual gentleness.
âAndrea.â Enzo reached out and pressed down on my shoulder. âDo you believe Iâm only with you because it benefits me?â
âNo. I trust you.â I said, then paused and continued whispering, âWeâre mates, after all...â
Sensing the trace of disappointment in my words, Enzo blinked.
âYou... donât seem to wish that weâre mates.â
âT-thatâs not... I... I just...â
I just didnât want him to choose me because I was his mate. The bodyâs desire controlled the mate bond, while the brain controlled âloveâ.
I wanted to with someone who wants me both physically and spiritually, not someone whoâs purely driven by the mate bond.
âJust what?â Enzo asked, unrelenting.
âJust...â I sighed heavily. The words were already on the tip of my tongue, yet I didnât dare to say it.
âDonât hide anything from me,â Enzo said, lifting his hand to curl around my neck. He gazed into my eyes from above. âI think we need to be honest with each other.â
He wasnât putting much pressure on my neck, but his eyes were seductive and captivating. It felt like his voice had hooked on my very soul. I felt myself in a daze as I let the words pass my lips.
âIf I wasnât your mate, would you still love me?â Enzo was stunned. âYou asked me the exact same question before.â
I bit my lip and returned to my senses. âYes, and you told me that hypothesis wasnât valid. But -â I stopped abruptly and clenched my fist. âThatâs not the answer I wanted to hear.â Enzo released me, then brought his hands up to rub at his temples.
My heart skipped a beat, and a sour taste filled the back of my throat. I wrinkled my nose trying to hold back my tears and asked, âIs that really a hard question?â
1 If it troubled him so much, it just proved that he had chosen me only because I was his mate. He didnât really love me.
â...I know your answer. You donât have to say anything else.â
The tears slipped out despite my best efforts, and my voice shook when I spoke. âWhat do you know?â Enzo put down his hands.
He shrugged, a defeated look on his face as he sighed and said, âSo, thatâs why youâve been holding a grudge against me?â