Chapter 4

Not long after, a summons came from a Crescent Pack elder.

"Ms. Vance, there is a discrepancy in the pack treasury logs. A large shipment of resources was unauthorizedly requisitioned under your name. Please come in for an investigation."

I rushed over to the Crescent Pack territory.

The ledger books were strewn across the table in total disarray.

Lara leaned against Derek’s chest, sobbing to the elder.

"I really didn't mean to... I just wanted to help distribute pack supplies. I panicked and used Sienna’s authorization..."

Every ounce of rage inside me detonated.

I charged forward with a clenched fist and slapped Lara across the face.

"Ah!" Her head whipped sideways, a bright red handprint blooming on her cheek.

Ignoring my pale face and trembling body, Derek immediately shielded her behind him.

His face twisted in fury. He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the hall.

"Sienna, are you insane?! This is Crescent Pack territory! How dare you strike Lara!"

"She stole resources using my name, and you're asking why I hit her?" I stared straight into his eyes.

His gaze flickered with guilt, but Lara’s renewed wailing reignited his temper.

"It's just a few supplies! You're the heir of the mighty Vance Pack—do you really care about such trivial things?!"

"Sienna, you're the older one here! Grow up! Be generous!"

"She's just a young girl who made a mistake. Take the blame for her like an adult. After all, your name is on the requisition!"

I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

"Derek, you bastard!"

I couldn't believe those words had come out of his mouth.

He had once promised: *I will never let you suffer a single grievance.*

*I will give you the best future and throw you the most magnificent Mate Ceremony.*

The vows were rotten.

The stray rogue who had once loved me with his life was long dead.

He was stunned for a second, but his voice turned icy:

"I'll hire the best advocate for you. You'll only be detained for a few days."

"Lara isn't like you. She's timid. If she gets locked up, she won't survive the trauma."

"In your dreams!" I screamed, my voice raw, and turned to walk away.

"Restrain her!"

"Don't let her leave!"

Derek’s Crescent Pack warriors rushed forward, twisting my arms behind my back and slamming me onto the cold stone floor.

*Slap! Slap!* Derek struck me twice across the face.

Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

A cramping, tearing pain ripped through my lower abdomen, making me shiver violently.

I bit into my lip, glaring at him with pure hatred.

Derek calmly wiped the blood from his hand. "I warned you never to touch her."

Before I could react, Derek forcibly grabbed my thumb and pressed it onto the confession document.

"Once you're released, we'll hold our Mate Ceremony."

I watched Derek walk away with his arm around Lara, tears and blood coating my cheeks.

I squeezed my fists until my nails tore through the skin of my palms.

Throwing my head back, I let out a bitter, wild laugh, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

A week passed before Derek finally remembered me.

Holding a bouquet of flowers and a mate ring, he stood at the entrance of the Crescent Pack territory.

He waited from dawn until dusk, but I never appeared.

A passing pack guard gave him an odd look. "You don't know? The Vance Pack Alpha heir was escorted away days ago by her future mate."

Derek froze.

His phone screen lit up.

The notification that popped up made his pupils contract, terror flashing in his eyes for the very first time!