77

SIN

The moment Artemisia's eyes shut, it felt as though it was the end for me.

I wanted to let go of everything and freaking go to the werewolf Pack that had cost me my mate and deal with all of them myself.

But, I couldn't go unprepared and I was aware it was my fault, everything that happened was my freaking fault.

I had let her down.

I grunted and yanked at my hair in frustration.

I had let her be in harm's way whereas I could have easily protected her.

I was the Alpha for crying out loud!

It was pathetic, I kept on shoving her in front of danger. Although I did not hurt her on purpose, I couldn't help but feel I was the one who orchestrated everything.

It wouldn't be the first time she was getting hurt.

And each time it happened, I had the power to not let it.

Gazing at her pale face, I recalled the attack.

I was warned before it occurred. Nico had f**king warned me and even told me to get prepared as they were coming for Artemisia.

They had the information beforehand and he had relayed it to me, but I had brushed it off like it was normal.

Ever since Artemisia had been tagged the chosen one, she had come and fallen into one disaster or another.

It was as if she was leaping out of the frying pan into the fire.

In the last attack, something similar had happened as well and they had come for her.

Yet, it happened again and I did nothing about it.

Sighing as the door to the room opened, I gazed at who stepped in and noticed it was Laurent.

"What do you want?" I let out a grunt, glaring at him.

"If you are here to berate me about not being able to protect my mate as mother said, I should let you know you are wasting your time."

Earlier, my mother arrived in the company of my little sister, Allison. She had yelled and even threatened to kill me if I didn't make her wake up.

It wasn't like I had a cure to make her jerk awake but Mila had assured me she was fine and would be awake anytime soon.

That was what I was holding on to and I wished it could happen sooner as I was going insane.

My temperature keep spiking as the minute ticked by and it was an indication that I would lose it soon.

I was going to flip.

"I am not here for such," Laurent mumbled. His eyes left mine and I traced the direction of it to see he was staring at Artemisia.

He shook his head and I glimpsed a vein ticked in his jaw before he cleared his throat.

"You are an ass, you know that?"

"Here goes nothing." I rolled my eyes whilst waiting for more jabs.

To be honest, it wasn't like I was unaffected by what they were saying, Laurent, Mother. Even Allison had joined but she was slightly better and had waited behind after mother left.

All that they had said were true and I doubted they could make me feel worse than I feel.

I tried stabbing myself multiple times and pulling my heart out but I was stopped each time by my mother.

Again, I believe it would do nothing to make her feel better. Rather, I would be adding to her problem by causing her the pain of losing a mate.

My attention snapped to the door as Laurent stepped into the room.

My eyes narrowed at him. "What do you want?"

"Artemisia deserves better than you. I don't know why she stays with an ass like you. A sorry excuse for an Alpha. A f**king weakling and a selfish brat that thinks only about himself!"

"Laurent…" I glared, clenching Artemisia's hand tightly as I stayed by the bedside.

"Say whatever you wish, but you know I am only telling the truth," Laurent said. "Artemisia shouldn't be with you."

I jetted out of the chair and strode towards him. Gripping him by his shirt, I shoved him to the wall.

"Watch your f**king mouth!"

"And if I don't? You'll hit me?" Laurent taunted. Just as he always does. And I wasn't letting it go.

The urge to pummel his stupid face filled me but I didn't do it.

Rather, I said in a low voice, "She deserves me or not, she is the only one that has the right to say so. So, fucking keep your opinion to yourself or I will happily shove your words back into your mouth…"

"Sin?"

My head snapped towards Artemisia. One of her hands was on her temple whilst the other was on her tummy.

She grimaced and wrinkled her nose before her eyes settled on mine, "I think I need to throw up."

With that, she hopped down from the bed and darted to the bedroom.

Surprisingly with speed. I had thought she'd be exhausted when she came awake but it was the opposite. She was filled with vigour to have run in that manner.

"Artemisia is a strong woman, I wish she saw someone better than you. If I could make her leave you, I wouldn't hesitate to do …"

Before I could help myself, I landed a punch on Laurent's face.

I didn't mean to do that, it was reflexive.

However, he was starting to piss me off. And the punch made me feel good even though my hand hurt from it.

"B*sta*rd!" Laurent yelled and proceeded to retaliate but Artemisia's scream filled the room.

I shoved Laurent before stepping into the bathroom.

"What's wrong?" I frowned as I saw her gazing down at something in her hand.

She gazed up at me with tears streaming down her pale face.

"What's wrong, darling?" I asked, crouching to her eye level.

"B-blood." She sputtered, pointing to her dress before sliding down to the floor.

I caught her and sat on the tiled floor.

"Darling!" I yelled, shaking her.

"Artemisia," I called again but received no response.

"Shit!" I clenched my hands. Then released them and hoisted her in my arms. I didn't mind the crimson liquid that stained the shirt I donned, all I could think of was her wellbeing.