Chapter 4

At the break of dawn, a group of werewolves arrived outside the villa to set up for the celebration.

They lined the pathway with 999 astral blooms.

In the center of the path, countless moonstones were arranged in a circle. Inside the ring were luxury jewelry pieces, designer clothes, and handbags.

At the very top sat a small music box. It was playing a love song sung by Ethan himself.

None of that held my attention.

My eyes were fixed on the breaking news notification flashing across my phone screen.

The news was reporting on a grand, extravagant marking ceremony taking place in Razor Fang Pack.

The stage was built with 9,999 astral blooms. Pink balloons floated in the air. Each string was tied to a sparkling gemstone.

The scene was breathtaking and romantic beyond words. Ethan, dressed in a sleek suit, walked down the red carpet hand-in-hand with Lyla in her luxurious gown.

Heads turned at the sight of the stunning couple and lavish venue.

On the stage, Ethan lowered his head and looked at Lyla lovingly. Amid cheers from his friends, he slipped the ring onto her finger.

My vision began to blur. I blinked, but the tears still rolled down freely and dripped onto my screen.

Just then, I heard the roar of engines outside the villa.

Five limousines pulled up to the entrance. Dozens of bodyguards surrounded a well-dressed young man as he entered the villa.

He walked up to me and gave a slight nod before speaking respectfully.

“Miss Madeline, I’m Hugh, the assistant to your father, Alpha King Charles Foster. I’m here to escort you home.”

I nodded a little. My luggage, which I had already packed, was sitting by my feet. The bodyguards quickly moved to load it into a limousine.

Before I got in, Hugh asked gently, “Miss, is there anything else you’d like to bring with you?”

I looked back at the carefully decorated setup Ethan had arranged outside. The music box was still playing his song. At the end of the track, I heard his heartfelt voice.

“Maddie, happy fifth anniversary. I love you just as much as ever.”

I looked away calmly before shaking my head.

“There’s nothing else I want to take with me.”

With that, I got into the limousine without a trace of hesitation.

All five limousines sped off into the distance.

Back at the banquet hall in Razor Fang Pack, the marking ceremony was in full swing.

For some reason, Ethan felt a strange unease creeping into his chest.

He pushed Lyla aside gently and walked to a corner of the hall to call me.

No matter how many times he tried, the call wouldn’t go through.

Panic rose in his chest, and he turned abruptly to leave.

Lyla clung to him tightly.

“Ethan, the marking ceremony is about to begin. You can’t leave now!”

Ethan said anxiously, “Something might’ve happened to Maddie. My calls won’t get through!”

Lyla froze for a moment. She then lowered her head and said in a hurt voice, “It’s probably because she’s upset. Today was your anniversary, and you didn’t go back. It’s my fault for picking this day for the ceremony. She has every right to be angry. You should go back and be with her. It doesn't matter if the ceremony takes place or not.”

Ethan paused mid-step. After two seconds of silence, he sighed softly.

“It’s okay. Let’s finish the ceremony first. I’ll make it up to Maddie later.”

He lowered his head and typed out a message.

[Maddie, please don’t be mad. I’ll come home tonight. Did you like the gift I prepared? If not, I’ll buy you something better. See you tonight.]

He put his phone away and slowly led Lyla onto the stage.

Just as they finished exchanging rings, Ethan’s assistant, Ken, burst into the hall. Panic was written all over his face.

“Mr. Hart, something bad happened! Five limousines just went to the villa. They took Miss Madeline with them!

“They’ve already left pack territory and gone somewhere else!”