Chapter 5

The Silverwood Estate was dazzling, filled with the most influential figures from across the northern territories. The air hummed with polished conversation and the clinking of champagne flutes. I moved through the crowd beside Kade, surprised by the scale of the event.

It didn't take long to realize this was no simple gathering. It was an auction. The main hall was a spectacle of gold leaf and crystal chandeliers, with rows of plush seats facing a raised stage.

As Kade guided me into the VIP section, my eyes immediately landed on Sara, already seated in the front row, smiling as if she owned the place.

Of course, I thought. He brought me here to be part of the audience for his dear Sara.

I was about to turn and leave when Kade thrust a glossy auction catalog into my hands. “You’ve seemed down lately,” he said. “I remember you used to enjoy shopping. Thought this might lift your spirits.”

I was ready to shove the catalog back at him when a single image on one page made my blood boil. Mother’s feather brooch! The delicate silver wing, set with a single, moonstone dewdrop. Her most treasured possession, lost after the massacre.

My fingers clenched around the booklet, crumpling the page.

Item after item was presented: rare artworks, ancient artifacts, glittering jewels. I paid them no mind. Sara, however, bidding enthusiastically on several lots. "Kade must have given her a blank check," my wolf Catherine snarled in my mind. "What terrible taste she has."

Then, the auctioneer unveiled the next lot. The red velvet cloth was pulled away, and there it was. The feather brooch glimmered under the spotlight, a piece of my shattered past.

This was no longer a party. This was a mission. I sat up straight, my entire focus narrowing on that single piece of silver. It was coming home with me.

“You like it that much?” Kade’s low voice murmured near my ear.

I ignored him entirely and raised my paddle. “Six million.” A sweet, familiar voice cut in from our side. “Seven million.” Sara turned and gave me a smile. “I’m so sorry, Lila. I’ve just fallen in love with it. You don’t mind if we bid, do you? ”

My fist clenched tight. “Eight million.” “Nine million.” I did a mental calculation. The money from the South—one hundred million. That was my absolute limit. “One hundred million.” “Two hundred million.” My blood turned to ice. I was tapped out, but Sara continued bidding with effortless grace.

“Two hundred million, going once.” The auctioneer looked directly at me. “Miss Lila, any further bids?”

I swallowed hard. I never thought I’d beg this man for anything. “Yes,” I choked out the word, turning to grasp Kade’s sleeve. “Kade, lend me the money. Please. It’s...it was my mother’s. I need it.”

He stared at me, visibly stunned. He had never seen me, proud Lila, now so pleading. “I’m begging you,” I whispered, my eyes burning with tears.

Kade’s hand moved toward the inner pocket of his jacket, reaching for his black card—“Kade.” Sara’s hand shot out, clutching his arm. Her eyes were wide. “I…I really love this piece. It’s the first thing I’ve truly wanted in so long. Please, don’t help her. Please?”

The air grew heavy. I watched Kade, the man who had fought off entire packs, now caught in a silent war between two women.

After a moment of silence, he looked at Sara and said softly, “It’s yours.”

These words felt like shards of glass piercing my heart. The gavel fell. “Sold! To Miss Sara!”

A cold numbness spread through me. I watched as the brooch was handed to Sara, who shot me a look of pure triumph.

Kade was staring at me. At my red-rimmed, dry eyes. A kind of regret showed on his face.

“Kade…” Sara whimpered, leaning into him weakly. “My cramps are so bad...could you please find me a heated blanket?”

Kade was silent for a beat, then nodded. He stood up and walked away.

I was done. I sat frozen, the auction continuing in a blur of noise around me, my mind filled only with the image of my mother’s smile as she wore that brooch.

The second the event concluded, I marched over to Sara, cutting her off. “Sell me the brooch,” I said, my voice hoarse. “Name your price. Anything.”

Sara gave a light, tinkling laugh. “Anything? Really? What if I told you to get on your knees?”

I began to tremble. I heard my mother’s dying words: “My darling, no matter what, live with dignity.” But now, for a piece of her, I was ready to sacrifice it. “Fine,” I spat the word out.

My eyes filled with furious tears, I started to slowly lower myself— “Stop,” Sara laughed, waving a hand. “Kneeling is pointless.” “That ugly trinket? I had my assistant toss it in the trash the second I won it. I just wanted to see you beg.” She leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper. “Your mother’s garbage belongs in the dump.”

“Say that again,” I whispered, my voice terrifyingly calm.

Sara smirked. “It’s with the rest of the kitchen waste. Didn’t you hear me?”

Before she could draw another breath, my hand shot out. I grabbed a small fruit knife from a nearby abandoned dessert plate and drove it straight into her shoulder.

A piercing scream ripped through the hall. Blood bloomed across her gown, spattering my dress like flowers.

Chaos erupted. People shrieked. I stood perfectly still. I looked around at the horrified faces, my red lips curling into a cold smile. “My apologies for the spectacle,” my voice cutting through the noise. “My mother died young. She didn’t have time to teach me manners. So I usually believe in settling my debts—”

I yanked the knife out, a fresh wave of blood following it. “—right here, and right now.”

As Sara wailed in pain, I simply dropped the bloody knife on the floor and turned to leave.

A strong hand seized my wrist at the entrance, spinning me around. It was Kade, a blanket draped over his arm, his face covered with fury. “Have you lost your mind?!” he yelled. “You attack someone over a piece of jewelry? What will you do next time she upsets you—kill her?”

I glared up at him, pain extended from my wrist. “Why don’t you ask her what she did? What she said about my mother’s brooch—” “I don’t care if she threw it in the damn ocean!” he roared, cutting me off. “That does not justify this!”

His words were the final blow. Tears streaming down my face. “Well, it’s done. So how does the great Alpha plan to ‘discipline’ me now?”

“It seems I can’t,” he said, his voice sounded like ice. “Guards! Take her to the containment cells. Charge her with deliberate assault. Three days’ solitary confinement.”

My head rose up with disbelief. He was sending me to the pack’s underground prison? For Sara?

I bit down on my lip so hard I tasted blood, but I refused to say another word. I let two guards take my arms. As they led me away, my last sight was of Kade gently lifting Sara into his arms, said, “I’ve got you. It’s okay.”

The heavy door of the detention block clanged shut behind me, sealing me in darkness.