Chapter 5

I picked up my bank card from the floor, then grabbed my suitcase.

As I passed by Sylvia, I roughly yanked the two healing crystals from her expensive outfit. "These belong to me," I stated firmly before walking away without a backward glance.

Dominic stood there, momentarily stunned.

When he noticed my hand on the doorknob, he snapped out of his trance and rushed to block my path. "Grace, don't be angry," he pleaded, his voice softening. "This is just how arguments go—I spoke without thinking. Our mate bond hasn't completely disappeared yet. If you just apologize, I can give you another chance."

I turned the doorknob, stepped outside, and never looked back.

At the hotel reception, I presented my bank card to pay for the room.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the desk clerk said uncomfortably. "There are no funds available on this card."

With no other option, I contacted Derek to cover the bill. After tossing my luggage into the hotel room, I checked my bank statements.

The horrible truth became clear—my entire decade's worth of salary had been completely drained.

The transaction records showed purchases at romantic restaurants, couples' retreats, and luxury boutiques.

Dominic had never taken me to any of these places or bought me gifts. But I had seen these exact establishments and designer items in Sylvia's social media posts. The connection was unmistakable.

All these years, I had worn faded, cheap t-shirts while my mother lived in a crumbling rural cottage.

Just then, a message arrived from the Pack Council:

"Grace, if you wish to immigrate to another pack, come to the Alpha for signature approval tomorrow morning. Tomorrow Alpha and Luna will go to the Auction together. You can find them there."

I responded with a simple "OK."

That night, I slept peacefully for the first time in weeks.

Early the next morning, when I arrived at the Pack auction Hall, I immediately spotted Dominic's tall, imposing figure.

He was introducing Sylvia to the council members, announcing her appointment as the pack's Chief Healer and the upcoming press conference to celebrate her new position.

Years ago, when I had qualified for that same position, all I needed was Dominic's recommendation to become the youngest Chief Healer in pack history—my lifelong dream. But Dominic had refused to endorse me, claiming our close relationship would make pack members think he was showing favoritism.

Yet here was Sylvia, barely back for a month without any notable accomplishments, being effortlessly elevated to Chief Healer by Dominic, trampling on my dreams without a second thought.

The wolves surrounding them offered sycophantic praise.

"Miss Silverstone, you're incredible! So young and already made Chief! The Alpha really favors you. You two make such a perfect pair!"

Sylvia beamed with pride, the Chief Healer badge prominently displayed on her chest.

"Dominic," she said with false modesty, "won't people say I got this position through connections? I mean, Grace has worked for the pack for nearly ten years and she's only a team leader."

Dominic dismissed her concern, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You're my mate, with the purest ancient werewolf bloodline. Who would dare question it? Unless..." he tilted his head, "you don't want to use my influence?"

They looked every bit the loving newlywed couple.

Since I'd already encountered Dominic, I might as well save myself another trip. I approached them and handed him my immigration application.

"Alpha, please sign this."

Dominic's eyes brightened upon seeing me. He took the papers sluggishly.

After scanning the immigration application briefly, he gave a disappointed smirk.

"How long are you going to keep this up?" he scoffed. "Pretending you want to immigrate—acting like you have principles? Don't forget you still have your mother. Other packs won't easily accept warriors from different territories. Are you really willing to abandon your mother?"

Sylvia jumped in, her face triumphant. "That's right, Grace. If you can't stand seeing me as Chief Healer, I'm sure the Alpha would let me give you the position—if he approves. But you shouldn't abandon your mother just to satisfy your pride."

At that moment, a pack member finally spoke up in my defense.

"But... Alpha, Grace's mother is already dead. She fell during the Full Moon Festival battle. We lost 305 warriors that day, and we still haven't been able to issue condolence payments to their families."

Dominic froze, his fingers trembling as they held my application.

He stared at my emotionless expression, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "Why... why didn't you tell me?"

Seeing his shifting gaze, I remembered my mother's final moments—tears streaming down her face as she clutched my hand and whispered:

"I'm sorry, my darling. If not for me, you would never have met Dominic. You deserve a better future..."

The agonizing pain still coursed through me as I replied coldly:

"Alpha, it's a personal matter. Am I required to report that to you as well?"

Sylvia frowned, about to scold me.

Before she could speak, Dominic suddenly pulled me out of the auction hall and into the stairwell.

He hadn't controlled his strength. My wrist glowed red where he gripped it, but I could feel his hand trembling.

I winced in pain.

He immediately released me and placed the immigration papers back in my palm, his voice unusually vulnerable.

"Grace, please don't do anything rash. Just wait for me. Let me handle the current situation, and then we can talk properly, okay?"

Just then, Sylvia burst through the door.

"Dominic, my father just called. He needs to speak with you—it's probably about the Alpha King selection. You should call him back right away."

Dominic turned instantly, practically running away with an air of desperation.

I shook my head and prepared to leave, but Sylvia stuck out her foot to block my path.

"Grace, please vacate your healing room as soon as possible. I love the sunlight in that space. I'm moving in."

The Chief Healer position came with a private office.

I knew she was deliberately pushing me out, but it didn't matter anymore. I was leaving anyway, though I did need to collect some belongings.

When I returned to the auction hall, I discovered that Dominic had just spent $500,000 bidding on high-grade healing gem—the exact same type I had once begged him to return to me.

The same type that could have saved my mother's life.

Perhaps because Dominic had been seen pulling me along by the hand earlier, an auction employee approached me holding an ornate velvet box, his smile brimming with flattery.

"You must be Alpha Blackwood's mate?" he gushed. "This is the healing gem the Alpha just purchased. It's incredibly rare—only a few exist in the entire werewolf world."

Before I could respond, the employee continued chattering: "Would you like to hold it? I'm sure the Alpha wouldn't mind. Such a generous gift for his Luna!"

My hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

If only Dominic had given me back just one of our original gems when I begged him.

Maybe my mother would still be alive.

The employee, mistaking my trembling for excitement, began lifting the gem from its velvet cushion.

Without thinking, I reached out toward it.

My fingers were inches away from the crystal when—

"Grace! I know your family is poor, but I never imagined you'd stoop so low as to steal from Dominic!" Sylvia's shrill voice cut through the air like a blade.

"I am Dominic's true mate. How dare you try to take what belongs to me!"

She snatched the healing gem from the employee's hands, clutching it possessively against her chest.

The auction employee turned deathly pale, stammering apologies and bowing repeatedly.

Sylvia waved dismissively, her attention already focused on the gem in her hands.

"Oh, this is perfect!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with delight. "Dominic is so good to me. I absolutely love this type of gem!"

"I've been searching everywhere for another one just like this. My little Princess—my precious Pomeranian—she's been feeling under the weather lately. This will make the most adorable healing charm for her collar!"

The words hit me like a physical blow. My vision went red around the edges.

My mother had spent her final moments gasping for breath, needing a healing gem, and this woman wanted to hang it around her pet dog's neck like a fashion accessory.

My entire body began shaking with rage.

Sylvia noticed my reaction and laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. "It's understandable that you'd be so fascinated by a real healing gem. Most omegas like you never get to see such treasures up close."

"But you really shouldn't reach for things that don't belong to you. Stormfang Pack cannot tolerate thieves, no matter how pitifully poor they are."

The Pomeranian yapped excitedly as Sylvia began fastening the healing gem to its diamond-studded collar.

Just then, a familiar voice cut through the chatter.

"Grace, what's going on here?"

"Alpha! Grace tried to steal your healing gem!" one woman called out accusingly.

Sylvia smiled sweetly. "Don't listen to them, Dominic," she said with false magnanimity. "I'm sure Grace didn't mean any harm. And look how perfectly your gift suits Princess!"

Dominic's expression darkened as his eyes focused on the healing gem.

I lowered my gaze, bracing myself for his inevitable lecture about my greed and inappropriate behavior.

But instead, his voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl:

"Take it off. Now."