Chapter 4

Wayne looked at me with open disgust.

"Leah, apologize to Nala right now. How did I ever end up tangled with a woman like you? I have terrible luck."

His friends behind him covered their mouths as they laughed.

"Leah, this really isn't a good look. Why can't you be kinder to your own sister?"

"Exactly. Once Wayne becomes Alpha, plenty of shewolves will chase after him. Are you going to fight every single one of them?"

"Haha! Maybe Leah will become undefeated across the whole pack and drive every woman away from Wayne."

Back then, I had even learned combat for Wayne. I used to brag that anyone who tried to steal him from me would get beaten up.

Thinking about it now felt unbearably embarrassing.

Amid the laughter, Wayne stepped closer to me.

In a condescending tone, he said, "Dad will announce our engagement today. If you still want me to mark you, don't forget what I told you. After we become mates, we'll each live our own lives. You won't interfere with my life, and I won't interfere with yours. Agree to that, and I'll forgive your cruelty and arrogance."

I stared at him in disbelief. How could the son of an Alpha say something so ridiculous?

When I didn't respond, he took my silence as agreement and grew even more confident. "Be good. As long as you behave, I won't embarrass you too badly."

He was completely convinced I would let no one but him mark me.

Everyone nearby waited to watch the humiliation unfold.

But this time, I truly wasn't letting him mark me.

Footsteps came from inside the house. The Beta stepped outside. "What's all this commotion?"

There was someone else behind him. It was the Alpha's eldest son, Eric.

Today, he wasn't in a wheelchair. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, he looked far healthier than before.

When he saw the expression on my face, he walked past the crowd and stopped in front of me. "Leah, are you alright?" he asked softly.

The moment I saw him, I recalled the past life. After losing everything, I had wandered the streets like a ghost.

A car had slowly stopped beside me. When the window rolled down, this was the face I saw.

"Leah, why are you here?"

He had never allowed me to call him 'big bro.' I once thought he simply didn't acknowledge me as part of the pack.

Right before I died, I realized that wasn't the case.

"Does it hurt?" Eric asked again when I didn't answer.

I looked up and met his gaze. My eyes suddenly filled with tears, but I smiled and said, "No, it doesn't."

Wayne snorted. "Whether she's hurt or not has nothing to do with you. Eric, Leah is your future sister-in-law."

The Beta seemed surprised to hear this.

He glanced at me and said, "Come inside. The Alpha is waiting."

As Wayne walked past me, he rubbed his nose and lowered his voice. "Leah, don't forget what I said."

He looked pleased with himself, as though he could already see his future as Alpha.

However, that confidence didn't last long.

Once everyone gathered in the living room, the Alpha descended the stairs with a cane.

He stepped onto the decorated platform.

Although his hair had turned completely gray, he still looked strong and authoritative.

He took my hand with a smile on his face.

"Today is a special day. I have an announcement to make."

He paused before continuing.

"Leah has now turned eighteen. According to the agreement between her dad and me, she will choose one of my sons as her mate. After the marking ceremony, I will transfer 80 percent of my personal assets to the couple."

The Alpha was the wealthiest werewolf in the pack.

No one even knew the true extent of his fortune.

Forget 80 percent. Even 20 or 30 percent was enough wealth to sustain generations.

All the werewolves in the living room had envious looks in their eyes.

"Now, let's invite the two young folks onto the stage, and I will personally witness this union."

Wayne straightened his back proudly. He had already taken one step forward, but the Alpha suddenly blocked him with his cane.

He then smiled and turned to face his eldest son, Eric.

Eric had changed into formal attire. Under the lights, he stood tall and elegant. He looked nothing like the sickly and fragile man from before.

Holding a bouquet of roses, he walked up to the platform and extended his hand to me.

"Leah, will you become my mate?"