I did not 8

Chapter 8 

Harold was silent on the other end of the line for a long moment. 

He certainly knew where his daughter was. But she had been betrayed in her heart. Dorian had given her a claim, yet he had marked another woman. He could not act for her. 

“I do not know where Vivienne went,” the Alpha said evenly. “But what happened between you and that woman is already public in the North. It is not good for your pack. You should handle that first.” 

Dorian choked out a soft “I understand.” Then he heard the call end. 

Because of Seraphina, the Hale family was no longer welcoming. 

He regretted his own choices. Why had he impulsively marked Seraphina? Why had he given Vivienne only a claim while marking another? 

Now, there was no point in thinking about it. 

He left the Hale residence and sought another way. 

He asked Vivienne’s friends and past collaborators, one by one. Their tones carried a hint of mockery, and all said they did not 

know where she was. 

Dorian went to Vivienne’s studio again. It was empty. Nothing remained. 

He could not reach Nina, Vivienne’s assistant. She had disappeared along with her. 

He crouched at the studio door and remembered his last visit. Vivienne had been bent over her sketches, never once looking at 

him. 

She had already been upset then. She had told him to leave to celebrate Seraphina’s birthday. He had taken her words seriously 

and stayed away all night. 

Now he stood before the door, the dull ache of being abandoned spreading through his chest. 

Had Vivienne felt the same sadness at that moment? 

Three years ago, when she discovered Seraphina’s mark in his wolf, had she already been disappointed? 

Perhaps these three years had been Vivienne’s last chance for him. 

And he had failed to seize it. 

He waited until night fully fell before returning home. 

Alistair and Morgana had already left. 

The house was quiet. The housekeeper stood at the end of the hall and would not speak unless necessary. 

For a moment, Dorian imagined seeing Vivienne. She ran from the kitchen, flour on her apron, waving at him with a smile. 

“You’re back! I made something good in the kitchen today. I waited just for you!” 

“Why didn’t you change your shoes? Come here–” 

He wanted to call her name. 

“Vivienne.” 

The moment the word left his lips, the vision shattered. 

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Chapter 8 

+25 BONUS 

The hall was empty. Only the dim light remained. The housekeeper’s gaze followed him, slightly puzzled. 

“Sir, are you missing the lady?” 

Dorian did not answer. 

He did miss Vivienne. 

But right now, he did not deserve to say it. 

He entered the bedroom and took the few clothes Vivienne had left. A jacket she often wore and a hair tie she had used. He held them to his chest and buried his face in them. 

Her scent was already faint. Her wolf was no longer here. 

He closed his eyes. 

At the hospital, the doctor informed Alpha Alistair with a serious expression. 

“The patient has a rare condition. Her wolf is deteriorating. She may not have much time left.” 

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