Chapter 22 Torture
Even through her hazy vision and muffled hearing, Addison could still make out their figures and catch fragments of their conversation. It was then, in her dazed state, that the cruel truth began to dawn on her—Claire had truly gone that far.
She hadn’t just framed Addison... she had willingly thrown herself down the stairs with her, even risking the pup in her own belly, all to get the outcome she wanted.
Addison could hardly believe it. Claire was willing to hurt herself, to endanger her unborn child, just to turn Zion further against her. But why? Claire already had everything—Zion’s attention, his care, even his child. It was only a matter of time before Zion cast Addison aside completely.
Was this all because of those nights Zion mated with her? Was that enough for Claire to hold such a bitter grudge? Enough to hate her so deeply for something she never intended—to steal Zion away?
But could Addison ever have truly stolen Zion when he hated her this much? He hated her so deeply that he didn’t even care whether she lived or died? Even now, with her body already broken and her life hanging by a thread, the pack had already heard the twisted version of the story—and they were preparing to torture her for it. Was this Zion’s way of punishing her for harming his fated mate?
Addison didn’t know anymore. All she felt was the exhaustion sinking into her bones and the sharp, endless ache of betrayal. It hurt—more than anything else ever had.
The fever was making Addison’s mind hazy, like a thick fog settling over her thoughts. She could barely make out what the others were saying anymore. The fragments of conversation she did catch only made her heart ache more.
She had thought she’d finally freed herself from Zion—that she was done being hurt by him, no matter what he did. But all it took was a moment of closeness from him... just a flicker of warmth.
And then, just as quickly, he snatched it away. He lifted her up, made her hope—only to slam her back down into the dirt.