Chapter 5

Elena's POV

Pheisar instantly turned his head. I didn't care. I was ready to leave.

Just then, my foot caught on something—it was Selene's outstretched leg.

I lost my balance and crashed hard onto the floor, my forehead hitting the sharp marble table corner.

"Bang!" The agony was blinding. The warm liquid gushed faster, instantly staining the carpet red.

"What happened?" Pheisar's voice barked from above.

I was sprawled on the floor. Through my blood-red vision, I saw him rush toward me.

He saw my blood-soaked face. His dark eyes tightened, and he instinctively reached out for me.

"It hurts so much... Pheisar, I think I broke my foot..." Selene's voice cut in right on cue. She collapsed next to the sofa, shivering and fragile.

Pheisar's hand froze halfway.

He looked at Selene, who was sobbing and clutching her ankle. Then he looked at me.

After a moment's hesitation, he picked Selene up.

"You're bleeding..." Kalen looked at me, sounding panicked.

Pheisar paused for a fraction of a second.

He looked down, his brow severely furrowed. "Your wolf is healthy. That little cut will heal itself. Selene's wolf is weak. I need to take her to the hospital."

In his eyes, I was the female wolf who could always pick herself up and handle any trouble. Selene was the rare treasure who would break without him.

Thinking he had neatly sorted out my situation, he strode over me with Selene in his arms, leaving without a backward glance.

As they left, the scent of blood filled the room. Only Dominic and I were left in the booth.

Dominic. That name echoed through the entire Northern wolf territory.

He was the prospective heir of the most powerful Obsidian Pack. He not only possessed a terrifyingly pure Lycan bloodline but was also the empire's ruler, controlling countless business empires.

In the world of werewolves, bloodline was law, and he was the king at the top of the pyramid.

He and Pheisar had grown up together, true friends through thick and thin.

Dominic had been expanding business overseas for years and only returned home six months ago.

That was the same time Pheisar had been kicked out of his pack, stripped of his inheritance, and became a fallen Alpha.

Dominic didn't know how I had spent four years struggling with Pheisar in the mud to survive. He only saw the outcome: Pheisar had regained power, and Selene was back.

The Nightshade members looked down on me because they didn't believe I was the future Luna.

Dominic despised me because he treated Selene like a family.

"Elena, you actually dared to have those shameless rogues attack Lina. You're looking for death."

I was staring blankly in the direction Pheisar had left, clutching the blood-stained amulet tightly.

Lina?

The "Lina" Dominic referred to was clearly Selene.

It was a strange coincidence. My late mother had given me a nickname, too—Lina.

Other than my deceased family, only the older brother who was trapped with me in the silver mine collapse ten years ago knew my nickname was Lina.

Sadly, that werewolf was gravely injured and couldn't speak.

I didn't even know his name.

He gave me a moonstone amulet to calm my mind.

But in the chaos after the rescue, that amulet disappeared, and my connection with him was completely severed.

Now, Dominic looked down at me.

He picked up a glass of iced whiskey from the table, flicked his wrist, and viciously threw the entire drink on my face.

"If you ever touch Lina again, I will make you regret the day you were born!"

"I didn't hurt her!"

The pain was overwhelming. Not just the physical wounds, but the crushing shame of having my dignity trampled on.

But stubborn blood ran through my veins. I bit down hard, forced myself up from the floor, gathered every last bit of my strength, and raised my hand—

A loud, resounding smack landed hard on Dominic's face.

The air in the booth instantly froze.

"You are only listening to Selene's side of the story!"

I was panting, glaring fiercely at this arrogant, self-important man. My voice was hoarse but steady, "Even if this goes to the Werewolf Council, no one has the right to privately condemn me without solid proof!"

"And Dominic, stop your disgusting arrogance! You have no right to throw liquor in my face!"

"Elena!"

Dominic stood frozen for a good thirty seconds before he found his voice.

His icy blue eyes instantly turned a dangerous gold. A powerful wave of dominance rattled the air.

My spine instinctively chilled. It was the biological fear a prey feels facing a top predator.

I watched him warily. "You struck me first. You deserved that slap!"

My sheer audacity and "ridiculous argument" actually made Dominic laugh in anger.

His face was dark. He picked up another glass of liquor. I stood tall, my back straight.

His gaze searched my face, finally stopping on my eyes. I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but a flicker of doubt crossed Dominic's expression.

After that moment of distraction, he slammed the drink down hard right next to my feet. Glass shards scattered everywhere. "Stop bothering Pheisar!"

"Becoming Pheisar's Luna is Lina's only wish. If you try anything else, I swear, I will personally exile you to the wilderness and let the rogues tear you apart!"

He threw down the threat. As if to hide that moment of unexpected mercy, he didn't linger. He violently slammed the booth door shut and stormed out.

"Jerk..."

I looked at the closed door and swore weakly.

Four years ago, Selene was the one who abandoned Pheisar because she looked down on him for losing his pack inheritance and flew away.

It was only after she left that I found a dying Pheisar and brought him home on a rainy night.

But none of that mattered now.

The only thing I wanted was my parents' memento back.

I had drunk too much liquor, and the severe head wound. The blood loss made me dizzy.

I collapsed onto the sofa. After recovering for a while, I went to the nearest werewolf hospital.