Chapter 4

"Ethan, I didn't do anything, I swear..."

She clutched Ethan's collar, her eyes glistening with tears.

Ethan's voice softened completely. "I know. Of course I know."

He tucked her safely behind him, turning cold, venomous eyes toward me.

"Zara, cut the cheap, filthy tricks! Resorting to petty drama to bully an innocent she-wolf—is this how your pack raised you?!"

The crowd chimed in instantly:

[I smelled the air! I can vouch for her! Sylvia didn't push Zara at all!]

[Exactly! Zara threw herself backward on purpose!]

[Oh please, lady, do you think this is a soap opera? Nobody here is falling for your fake damsel-in-distress act!]

[Hilarious. An experienced rogue wolf trying to play dirty against a sweet civilian she-wolf. No wonder Ethan never wanted her.]

Hiding behind Ethan's broad shoulders, Sylvia let a mocking smirk slip across her lips.

It disappeared in the blink of an eye.

A vibration buzzed on my wrist device.

I swallowed hard.

It was a message from Catherine.

"Excuse me, I have to take this."

[Look at that! Getting caught in her own trap and looking for an excuse to run away!]

[Hahaha, if that were me, I'd dig a hole and bury myself alive!]

[Guys, check the territory feed! 'Zara's Fake Fall Mocked by Entire Pack' is already trending number one! Go laugh at it!]

I opened the voice comm:

"Catherine?"

"Run."

Just one word from Catherine, but it turned my blood to ice.

"What did you say?" I asked, trembling.

"Look at the file I just sent you."

A high-priority encrypted ping popped onto my screen.

The moment I opened it and caught a glimpse of the contents, my hand snapped over my mouth in pure shock.

The summit host walked over and patted my shoulder condescendingly:

"Ms. Sterling, having trouble staying on your feet?"

I swallowed dryly. "Of course not..."

"We completely understand," the host sneered. "After all, the real purpose of this summit was to announce the formal union between Alpha Ethan and Sylvia. Their mating ceremony is already being prepared. It's only natural that you wouldn't want to watch."

"You've gone too far!"

Catherine slammed her hand onto the stone table. "You invited Zara here just to humiliate her as an appetizer for their little show?! I was wondering why every single guest here knows Zara and Ethan! You planned this whole circus just to make a fool out of her!"

The host smirked coldly. "Even if that's true, didn't Ms. Sterling choose to come herself? Isn't she the one who insisted on clinging to him?"

"You—!"

I quickly grabbed Catherine's arm to hold her back.

Ethan was already strolling over, arm-in-arm with Sylvia.

He looked down at me. "It's fine. I won't mock you for your pathetic state. I didn't come here to argue with you. I just hope Sylvia and I can have your blessing. Will you come to our mating ceremony in three days?"

[Hahaha, savage! Ethan just went for the kill!]

[Asking the girl who chased him like a dog to come to his wedding? Zara's going to cry herself to sleep in her den tonight!]

I gritted my teeth.

A smug smirk curled on his lips. "If you don't want to, that's fine too. I—"

"I'll be there!"

I clamped a hand over Catherine's mouth before she could explode into curses.

Both Ethan and Sylvia froze, caught off guard.

I forced a brilliant smile. "Don't worry. When the day comes, I will definitely prepare a generous gift for the two of you."

Ethan frowned slightly, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

"Then it's settled. See you in three days!"

Without giving them a chance to respond, I dragged Catherine toward the exit.

As I walked away, a cold smile tugged at the corner of my lips—

Ethan Hart, three days from now, when you actually take her as your mate... I just hope you don't regret it.