Chapter 4

I had to treat the wound on my neck. I didn't want to die.

I slipped through the side entrance of the medical center, avoiding everyone’s gaze until I found the ointment for silver burns. Just as I was about to leave, voices echoed from the end of the hallway. It was Domine.

He was carrying Ella in his arms, moving fast, with three medics trailing behind him.

"Hurry! Get the VIP suite ready!" Domine’s voice was thick with panic. "I want the best medicine and the best healers on this, now!"

"Yes, Alpha!" the medics scrambled into action.

They disappeared into the VIP suite at the end of the hall. I bit my lip, clutching my cheap ointment.

I crept toward the room and peered through the small window in the door.

Domine was lowering Ella onto the bed with agonizing care.

"Does it hurt?" He held her hand, his eyes full of heartache.

"It hurts..." Ella whispered, tears tracking down her cheeks. "Domine, it hurts so much..."

"It won't for long." Domine leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I'm going to make you better."

He turned to the staff. "Get the Moonstone Healing Essence."

A nurse gasped. "Alpha, that’s... that’s the most precious tonic . A single drop is worth a hundred thousand gold coins."

"I said get the best," Domine snapped. "I don't care about the price; I'll pay."

The nurse nodded and sprinted out. I ducked into the shadows as they whispered nearby.

"My god, the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack is so good to the future Luna..."

"I know. I heard that for his mate, he’s mobilized all the Moonlight Pack’s resources ... the gifts he's given these past few days alone are worth hundreds of millions..."

"I also heard he gave her Star-Moon Lake, the most beautiful spot on the Moonlight Pack's border..."

"He’s such a dominant Alpha! He'd give up anything for his woman!"

Their voices faded. I leaned against the wall, my nails digging into my palms. Star-Moon Lake. Domine had taken me there for my eighteenth birthday. We had watched the stars, and he told me, "Halen, when we have a home of our own, I’ll bring you to live here. This place belongs only to us."

Now I knew that place had never been ours. It was just another gift for Ella.

The nurse returned with the Moonstone Healing Essence. Domine took the vial and used a cotton swab to delicately apply it to the scratches on Ella’s arm.

"This might sting a bit. Hang in there," he said softly.

"Mm..." Ella bit her lip, her eyes welling up. "Domine, am I useless? Getting you this worried over such a small injury..."

"Don't be silly." He wiped her tears away. "You’re the woman I love. Taking care of you is my responsibility."

He continued applying the medicine with a touch as light as a butterfly's wing.

"Domine..." Ella suddenly caught his hand. A flash of calculation crossed her eyes, quickly masked by a pout. "I... I want the Moon-Tear Necklace."

The Moon-Tear Necklace. I’d heard of it. It took the most famous jeweler in the North three years to craft, set with a hundred and eight Moon-Tears—the most sacred gems for werewolves, capable of strengthening the soul. It was worth twenty million gold coins.

Domine went quiet for a second. "That's a bit much..." He frowned. "Ella, that necklace—"

"I know it's expensive..." Ella looked down, her voice small. "I'm sorry, Domine. I shouldn't have asked. I just... I just wanted something to help my wolf. Maybe then she’d have a chance to come back..."

She started crying again. "But I know I don't deserve it. I have nothing left. I'm just a burden to you..."

"You are not a burden." Domine sighed and pulled her into a hug. "Fine. I’ll buy it. I’ll head North tomorrow and pick it up for you myself."

"Really?" Ella looked up, her eyes gleaming.

"Really." Domine ruffled her hair. "I’ll pay whatever it takes to get your wolf back."

Ella threw herself into his arms, unable to hide her smug grin. "Domine, you’re too good to me..."

I turned away and slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor. Twenty million. Just a casual gift for Ella. They say love is where the money is.

I looked down at my ointment— only fifty silver coins a bottle.

Why can Ella always destroy my life so easily?

I remembered high school.

Ella was the daughter of the former Elder on the Alpha Council, and I was just a scholarship kid from the bottom of the pack.

She hated that I had better grades, so she tormented me.

Dead rats in my bag, laxatives in my water, locking me in the freezing storage room overnight. Once, she pushed me onto silver equipment during training, burning my right leg so badly I nearly passed out. No one came for me. I spent three days in the infirmary, bandaging my own wounds in agony.

Later, I became a healer. When Ella ate that poison and was dying, I put our past behind me and pulled her back from the jaws of death.

Domine used to say he loved my "heart of gold." He said he loved my dedication to saving lives and my kind soul that remained pure despite the pain I’d suffered. But now, his eyes didn't see me anymore. He only saw Ella. He only saw the woman who used to torture me and was now framing me.

I stood up to leave. Just then, my phone vibrated. It was Emma.

"Halen!" Emma’s voice was frantic. "Something’s happened to your father!"

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