Chapter 4

My words were followed by eerie silence.

Then Serena burst into shrill laughter:

"What a lunatic! You dare call Alpha Alaric by his full name! You must be tired of living!"

Her eyes grew more vicious, the blade's tip pressing deeper into my face. Searing pain exploded like an electric current.

"Hold her down! Hold her tight!"

Caleb didn't hesitate, increasing the pressure and grinding my entire face into the cold floor.

My finger bones made a sickening crack.

The pain made my vision go black. Cold sweat instantly soaked my back.

The man I'd poured my heart into helping was now personally holding me on the chopping block, serving as the executioner's most loyal accomplice.

A burning line of blood spread from the corner of my eye to my temple. Blood instantly blurred my vision.

Serena let out a sick laugh. "Once I ruin this face, let's see what you have left to be arrogant about!"

Caleb flattered her: "Beta Serena is right! If you're still not satisfied, carve the word and take some nude photos. Let's see how she shows her face in the werewolf community after this!"

Lila mocked: "Just scarring her face is too easy on her. Why not strip her naked and throw her in the snow outside the hotel entrance? Let everyone see what happens when you offend Beta Serena!"

I listened to their celebration, a coppery sweetness rising in my throat.

Every wound they left on me would become an epitaph carved on their pack's tombstone.

My father's methods would teach them what it means to be unable to live, unable to die.

The next second, Caleb reached out toward the neckline of my nightgown.

I struggled violently, the remnants of my wolf strength exploding in this moment.

But his knee ground more viciously into my spine. My bones made a dull sound.

"Stop struggling. You're just a piece of rotten meat for the slaughter."

Ultimate humiliation swallowed me whole.

Serena laughed even more cruelly, grabbing the last bit of fabric on me and yanking hard.

Her other hand pulled out her phone, quickly opening a private werewolf forum, about to start a livestream.

"Throwing her out isn't enough. I want the entire werewolf community to see just how cheap this bitch really is!"

At this critical moment!

With an deafening crash, that hundred-pound solid wood door was kicked open from outside.

A towering figure wrapped in monstrous rage walked in against the light.

"Who gave you permission to run wild in my territory!"

The madness on Serena's face instantly transformed to delight. She held up her phone, her voice cloying:

"Alpha Alaric! Perfect timing! I was just disciplining a new toy who doesn't know her place!"

Caleb quickly looked up, wagging his tail like a lap dog:

"Alpha Alaric! We specifically found you a woman who looks exactly like Luna Lilwen, absolutely clean! We only ask that in recognition of our sincerity, you grant us development rights to the northern forest!"

The man's footsteps stopped abruptly.

His gaze pierced through the crowd, landing hard on me lying in a pool of blood.

Seeing my blood-covered face clearly. Seeing my torn clothing clearly. Seeing the defiance and mockery in my eyes clearly.

His commanding Alpha presence crumbled instantly.