Chapter 5

Ella soon moved into my bedroom.

Meanwhile, I didn't choose to live in her small, dark room. Instead, I temporarily stayed in a guest room I picked at random.

The maids, after judging who was the current favorite, prepared bedding for me that was damp and musty-smelling. It was pure torture for a werewolf with a keen sense of smell.

I simply decided to sleep in my going-out clothes.

It was only for a few more days, after all. I just had to endure it, and everything would be completely over soon.

But the next morning, as soon as I got up and went downstairs, I found the side hall—where a memorial altar had been dedicated to Mom—in utter chaos.

Mom's photo had been thrown on the floor, the frame shattered, and the picture smudged with muddy footprints. My once-smiling mother appeared to be gazing at me, now weeping in anguish.

The evening primroses meant for the altar—flowers of great significance to my mother—were scattered across the floor, while the mutt Ella kept was tearing at the petals.

Ella stood to the side, clapping and cheering with a malicious gleam in her eyes.

As I took in the scene, I felt my blood boil and rush to the top of my head.

All my rationale and thoughts of restraint vanished in an instant. I felt my nails lengthening and my fangs itching.

I snapped and grabbed the crystal candlestick nearby before throwing it at the dog.

The little dog, terrified, tucked its tail and ran. Ella screamed as shards from the candlestick cut her arm.

"Ivy! What are you doing? How could you hit someone!" Dad's voice rang out, carrying the roar of a Beta and an Elder.

Ella had already tearfully thrown herself into his arms. "Dad, save me! Ivy's wolf is losing control! She wants to kill me…"

"Ivy, you're going too far!" Dad yelled.

"Are you blind? She destroyed my mother's memorial and ruined her photo…"

My whole body shook as tears streamed down uncontrollably. I felt aggrieved and heartbroken for Mom.

But Dad only glanced at the mess on the floor and frowned. "That doesn't give you the right to hurt someone! In the pack, we have our rules!"

I opened my mouth to speak up. "Dad…"

"Ivy, your mother has been gone a long time. The dead aren't as important as the living! And anyway, Ella is the one Ethan cares about now."

As a pale-faced and timid Ella spoke, she emitted submissive pheromones. "Dad, it was my dog who accidentally knocked things over. I was going to apologize to Ivy, but as soon as she came downstairs, she unleashed her dominance and charged over to hit me. I didn't even get a chance to say anything…"

She raised her bleeding arm, looking pitifully at Dad. "Dad, maybe Mom and I should just move out of the pack…"

I scoffed. "Even if the mutt doesn't know better, shouldn't you?"

Dad glared at me, suddenly raised his hand, and delivered a heavy slap. I forgot to dodge—or rather, I didn't bother to.

The crisp sound echoed through the hall.

Dad seemed to freeze for a moment, but in the end, he said nothing. He turned away and led Ella off to call a healer for her wound.

I watched their backs as they walked away. Only after a long while did I feel the burning pain on my face.

The humiliation I felt ran deeper than any physical hurt could within me.

I raised my hand to cover my slightly swollen face. As tears fell, I let out a mocking laugh. I knew that this pack and the Turner family no longer had a place for me.

…

That afternoon, I accidentally overheard Dad's conversation with the pack's Elder Council.

"Yes, Ella's bloodline may be mixed, but her bond with Ethan could bring new genetic advantages. As for Ivy… Her mother's lineage is indeed noble, but our alliance with the Nightblood pack has been precarious in recent years. We need new ties."

I leaned against the wall and dug my nails deep into my palms.

It turned out to be more than an emotional betrayal—it was a meticulously planned political maneuver. To them, I was worth no more than a bargaining chip.

That same night, I contacted a diplomatic envoy of the northern Nightblood pack through an encrypted channel.

"Tell Lucas Knight that I'm willing to accept his offer to bond as mates, but on one condition. I want the Silvermoon pack to pay for their betrayal."