WCMBI - Chapter 254: Vengeance

"That day was a tremendously difficult one. You must be aware that being ordered to leave the mansion, especially with an imprinted partner, was akin to a death sentence."

As her narrative began in a surprisingly steady manner, Ian held his breath and listened attentively.

"I don't quite recall the state of mind with which I left the mansion and boarded the carriage. Ah, but the disdainful glances from the housemaids and other employees remain distinctly etched in my memory."

"What puzzled me about your account was that you mentioned a nearby cottage, but in reality, the journey by carriage was far more extended than you thought. It was indeed estimated to take a day's travel. Anyway, as we were moving along the path adjacent to the precipitous ravine, the carriage suddenly stopped. The driver said he needed to inspect the wheels, but the door wouldn't open. Then, we heard something striking the carriage. In retrospect, it must have been the sound of an arrow being fired."

Everything fell in line with what Ian had anticipated and investigated. His heart ached terribly, as if it would be torn apart.

At that moment, he wondered what thoughts might have run through Melissa's mind. After all, if she had been driven away so harshly by the Alpha she had imprinted upon, it was natural for her to misconstrue the sudden attack.

"I felt I would die without a moment's hesitation. However, that incident served as the catalyst for my awakening as a mage. As a result, the pheromone wellspring suffered damage from the heat and smoke within the carriage. My lungs and olfactory senses were significantly impaired. Fortunately, my lungs have improved, but there was no way to repair my sense of smell or the pheromone well."

"Such, such a..."

"I needn't say more; you understand now, don't you?"

Ian was thrown into a state of panic upon hearing Melissa's words about her lingering trauma, far exceeding what he had expected. He couldn't muster any response, leaving him with wide eyes fixed upon her, seemingly endlessly.

"Hmm... Speaking has helped me gather my thoughts, and that's quite reassuring. Well, yes. I thought I detested the idea of revenge, finding it base, but now, it seems otherwise," Ian eventually managed to reply.

"If you wish, I shall do anything, whatever it may be," Melissa offered in a composed manner.

The shock had tightened Ian's lips, leaving his face ashen to the point of appearing lifeless, much like someone who had nearly strangled themselves.

"Is that so?" Melissa inquired.

"Yes, yes..." Ian managed to utter.

"Even if you stand between me and the one I seek vengeance upon?"

"Yes, if that is your desire."

Unintentionally, a soft chuckle escaped Melissa. She couldn't fathom why someone would go to such lengths for her sake. Could love truly be more important than one's own well-being? Well, pondering about such matters now seemed fruitless.

Nonetheless, she wanted to know. Unable to arrive at a decision on her own, she had no choice but to seek answers from Ian, the one most intimately connected to this matter.

"I wish that my revenge would make you and Monica experience the same ordeal I endured. I hope you both feel that suffocating, life-threatening moment where you have no choice but to fight for survival, much like a desperate beggar," she said matter-of-factly, her voice trailing off to a low tone in the end. It seemed as though she momentarily recalled the agony of that fateful day. Before leaving her seat, Melissa briefly kissed the child's forehead and placed a small gift beside him.

As she straightened her back, a magical sigil was drawn in an instant, and her apparition vanished. Only then could Ian finally slump down, his emotions too overwhelming to be displayed before her.

A beastly sob escaped him, and with his throat constricted, he swallowed the pain that wracked him.

Indeed, he had no right to feel the pain he did.