Chapter 4

I planned to go see my mother's body.

But from outside came Serena's sweet, commanding voice.

"Hurry up and close the furnace. Marcus said Vida's mother's body needs to be cremated today."

"But where's the body?"

"Oh, I just put the body in the furnace. It's already preheated. Close it and start burning."

Hearing this, my heart tightened. I quickly ran toward the door.

Someone seemed about to come in to check if anyone was still inside, but Serena stopped them.

"I'm the future Luna of Castella Pack! You dare disobey me?! Close it now and start burning!"

I heard the sound of the door being locked.

I rushed over and pounded on the furnace wall, calling for help, trying to make the people outside hear me.

Fortunately, the person at the door heard my cries for help.

Just as they were about to unlock it, Serena slapped them and snatched away the key.

The temperature inside the furnace shot up instantly. I forced myself to calm down.

Just when I was beginning to despair, my mother's body suddenly sat up and pointed in a direction.

I was a little scared, but still went over with a glimmer of hope to check my mother's breathing. There was no response.

I followed my mother's guidance to that direction and soon found iron rings embedded in a corner.

I was overjoyed. I wrapped my hands in my clothes and quickly grabbed the rings to climb up.

But how could clothes block the high temperature inside the furnace?

By the middle, blisters had formed through the clothes, and my shoes were nearly melted.

I climbed to the top of the furnace, looked at the grass below, and jumped down. The burns and scrapes on my body hurt so much I almost passed out.

But I absolutely couldn't die here!

I staggered forward and finally saw werewolves running toward me at the end of the road.

When I woke again, I heard Marcus and Serena arguing.

Marcus had Serena by the throat, pressing her against the wall of the medical station.

"Who told you to use my name to do these things! I don't care what you want to do to her.

But I don't want to see what happened today ever again!

Serena, my indulgence of you isn't capital for you to challenge my bottom line. Understand?"

I sneered inwardly. He actually knew everything. He was just playing dumb.

But now I could no longer shed a single tear for him.

Serena's face was pale, eyes brimming with tears as she explained.

"I really didn't know she was in there. Besides, I'm about to be your mate. Why would I bother?"

I coughed, and Marcus immediately turned around, looking at me anxiously.

I smiled faintly, reassuring him.

"I'm fine, just tired. You don't need to stay here with me."

I knew him. He would mark Serena, but he would never let me leave.

I had to escape before the ceremony began.

Two weeks passed. My wounds had nearly healed.

I reached out to a contact from my old pack to forge travel papers for another territory.

Watching the televised announcement of their marking ceremony, I headed for another territory.

But as soon as I crossed the border, guards blocked my path. They were Marcus's me.

I turned to run, but a towel was thrown over my mouth and nose. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw the dark red glow of Marcus's cigarette in the darkness. I trembled.

My escape had failed.