I Risked My Life to Awaken My White Wolf for Them, Then Learned It Was a Prank Chapter 04

I walked slowly through the living room.

Out past the trees, the open ground was calling to me.

Adrian was cutting the cake when he glanced up.

It was a gorgeous berry cake, and he handed the biggest slice to Ivy.

“This one has the most berries. For you.”

Then he carelessly gestured to the collapsed corner piece at the edge of the table.

“Yours is over there.”

I stood without moving, my gaze fixed on the ring on his finger. It was the ring he gave me when we got engaged.

My voice was so faint it could scatter at any moment.

“Seven years ago, you were chased to the northern border by mutinous warriors. I stood in front of you.”

“To keep your Alpha position, my white wolf slept for seven years.”

“What makes you think I could’ve walked out of there alive?”

Adrian’s hand froze over the cake.

My mother slammed down the cake server.

“Do you have to dig up old history when everyone’s happiest?”

“We already told you it was an act. Why can’t you just understand that?”

Mason spoke up impatiently too.

“Adrian was just making it look real.”

“Why do you have to make everything into a big deal?”

Adrian set the plate back on the table, his eyes full of irritation.

“If that’s how you want to see it, there’s nothing I can do.”

“If you’re determined to play the victim, then go ahead.”

“I’ll just cancel the mating ceremony. Is that what you want?”

That was always his move.

Every time we fought, as long as he threatened to break the engagement and cancel the mating ceremony, I’d eventually give in. Because I was too afraid of being abandoned.

But this time, it just felt pathetic.

For once, I was going to be the one who walked away first.

I fumbled the engagement ring off my finger and tossed it on the table.

“Fine.”

Adrian froze.

“You’re serious?”

“Besides me, who else would put up with a woman this boring, this dull—who can’t even wake her own wolf?”

Deep in my consciousness, the white wolf who’d just awakened bowed her head in sorrow.

I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore.

“I’m tired.”

“I’m going to rest.”

I didn’t look at anyone again. I turned and walked toward the guest room. I wanted to run. But I truly didn’t have the strength.

My mother’s voice lashed out behind me.

“If you lock yourself in that room tonight, don’t you ever call me Mom again!”

“There’s no place in this family for an ungrateful daughter like you!”

Ivy followed my retreating back with her phone.

“She’s throwing a tantrum and threatening to run away.”

“The livestream wants to know—should we go knock on her door?”

I didn’t look back. Every step sent the potion tearing through my body.

The moment the door closed, I lost the last of my strength.

I fumbled with the lock until it clicked shut, then sank to the floor with my back against the door, shutting out all the laughter and malice.

So tired. Just let me have a little quiet.

But even in the guest room, there was no peace. My phone kept buzzing—Ivy sending the livestream link to the family group chat.

[The whole family’s teaching their drama-queen sister a lesson—LIVE!]

I didn’t have the strength to open it. A tearing pain exploded from my chest.

I covered my mouth, and silver-black liquid kept spilling through my fingers.

Deep in my consciousness, the white wolf finally staggered to her feet.

She wanted to break through the mental barrier. She seemed disoriented too. Her mouth moved with the last command I’d given her—protect our family and mate beyond the door.

[There’s no enemy anymore.] I told her. [It was just a joke.]

The white wolf looked at me quietly. Then she slowly came closer and lay down beside my soul.

[Can you hear that? It sounds like someone’s calling us.]

I smiled. [Dad’s voice?]

Then I paused, a little lost. But that voice seemed too real.

In my mindscape, he told me over and over.

Hold on. I’m coming.

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

Adrian warned me through the door, “Nora, open the door.”

“Ivy’s livestream has over a hundred thousand viewers now. Don’t make this uglier than it needs to be.”

I lay on the cold floor, my vision fading.

“Come out and apologize to your mother.”

“Put the ring back on and I can pretend none of this happened.”

“If you keep this up, you’re really going to hurt what we have.”

My mother started pounding on the door.

“Are you determined to tear this family apart?”

“I’m your mother. Do I need your permission to make a joke?”

“Open the door!”

Ivy was still chatting with her livestream audience.

“She’s been like this since she was little. Everyone gives in to her, and she just gets worse.”

“When the door opens, I’m definitely making her apologize to the stream.”

The noise outside grew louder. And the voice I heard grew fainter.

If there’s a next life, I don’t want to be the one sacrificed again. No more being the tireless puppet who does everything and gets stepped on like garbage.

The phone slipped from my hand.

Outside, they finally ran out of patience. Mason kicked the door.

“If you keep playing dead, I’m breaking it down!”

No response from inside.

Adrian’s voice was cold, “Break it.”

“She’s just doing this to work us. The more we give in, the harder she pushes.”

The door burst open.

My body, which had been propped against it, collapsed at their feet.

Ivy’s livestream camera was pointed right at the floor. The fading wolf marks on my skin appeared instantly on every viewer’s screen.

Adrian’s impatient expression froze.

My mother was still walking forward.

“You lying on the floor playing what—”

Her voice cut off.