Chapter 5

The winding banquet hall reeked of heavy perfume, arrogance, and the foul stench of blood money.

Surrounded by the elite of various packs, I stood behind Gideon in that red velvet gown like a soulless puppet.

Valerie clung to Gideon's arm, her head held high, looking every bit the title of Luna.

Whispers constantly buzzed around me.

"I heard she cheated on Gideon and gave birth to some random bastard?"

"What a slut. I don't know why Gideon keeps a woman like that around."

Valerie leaned against Gideon and sighed with fake sympathy: "She has nowhere else to go, after all. Even though she... Gideon has a kind heart and decided to keep her fed."

I guess this was why Gideon brought me here.

Did watching me get humiliated bring him pleasure?

Just then, an allied Alpha reeking of alcohol stumbled over. He looked me up and down, his eyes roaming my body shamelessly.

He patted Gideon on the shoulder. "Gideon, a woman who dares to betray her own mate needs to be punished, right? Since you don't want her anymore, why not give her to me? I happen to need a bed warmer. Just let her entertain me tonight, and I'll sign the alliance treaty between our packs right now!"

My blood froze instantly.

I turned to look at Gideon.

He furrowed his brows slightly.

I thought he would refuse. No matter how much he hated me, he wouldn't just hand his former mate over to another man to play with.

But then Valerie rolled her eyes and laughed, "Scarlett probably wouldn't mind, right? It's for the good of the Silver Eclipse Pack, after all. Besides..."

She swept her eyes over me insultingly. "You should be pretty familiar with this kind of thing, right?"

I couldn't hold back anymore. I went to throw my drink in her face.

But Gideon grabbed my wrist.

The familiar cold expression returned to his face.

"Valerie is right. I agree."

The surroundings fell dead silent.

I felt like I had been struck by lightning, my body shaking uncontrollably.

"Gideon! Are you insane?!" I screamed. "I was your Luna!"

"You are just a filthy sinner," Gideon looked at me coldly. "Since you love betraying so much, what does it matter if you sleep with another man? Go on. Do something useful for the pack."

Valerie covered her mouth, giggling beside him.

The drunk Alpha laughed wildly and lunged at me, grabbing my wrist.

"Come here, little whore. I'll show you a good time tonight—"

I tightened my grip on the broken glass in my hand, deciding I would fight him to the death.

Right at that moment—

A deafening explosion ripped through the hall!

Instantly, flames engulfed the room!

It was a terrorist attack by rogue wolves!

Several high-explosive silver bombs detonated in the crowd. Miserable screams tore through the night.

Guests shrieked, women's heels snapped as they ran. A support pillar from the ceiling crashed down, shattering the floor beneath us.

I tried to move. I tried to run.

But the third explosion blasted me straight across the room.

The world spun. My ears were ringing. A sharp pain shot through my leg—a piece of glass was buried deep in my thigh. Coughing and choking on the thick black smoke, I crawled desperately toward the stairs.

Through the billowing smoke, I saw Gideon instantly shift into a massive silver wolf.

He didn't even glance at me.

He leaped toward the uninjured Valerie without hesitation, shielded her with his body, picked her up by her dress, and sprinted for the exit.

"Gideon!" I instinctively reached out my blood-soaked hand toward him. "Help me... my leg can't move!"

The silver wolf stopped.

He turned his head, his golden eyes staring at me ruthlessly.

"Valerie is carrying my only heir."

"As for you, figure it out yourself."

With that, he charged into the sea of fire without looking back, completely vanishing from my sight.

A sickening crack echoed above my head.

A massive load-bearing pillar completely snapped and crashed down right toward me!

Is this it? Am I going to die?

I closed my eyes as a tear slipped down my face.

Mia, Mommy's coming to find you.

But the agonizing pain I expected never came.

A few muffled thuds exploded near my ears.

I snapped my eyes open.

Through the thick smoke, I saw a silhouette.

He had caught the pillar and forcefully tossed it aside.

Then he knelt beside me and carefully scooped me into his arms.

His face was obscured by the smoke, the flames behind him tracing his silhouette like an angel.

"It's over now," he said, his voice sounding strangely familiar. "I'm here. You're safe."

I tried to speak. I tried to push him away. He might be one of the attackers trying to kidnap me.

"Don't... touch me..." I resisted weakly.

"The Alpha King sent me. We've been waiting for you."

"Don't worry. We will make everyone who hurt you pay a terrible price!"