Chapter 5

Alexander never came home that night, so I showed up at the marking ceremony by myself.

Samuel had just finished his speech, announcing that all of the White Wolf pack's collaborative forest projects with the Redmoon pack would now be managed by Joanna.

Joanna stood on the platform, soaking up all the admiration and envy in the room.

Guests whispered as I entered, "Joanna really is living a charmed life. She has two childhood sweethearts who both dote on her."

"And to think, Savannah was also the only daughter of an Alpha, but she never got to enjoy any of that. After Thomas died in that car crash three years ago, her whole pack was merged into the Redmoon pack."

The room went dead silent as soon as I walked in. Everyone stared at me, clearly waiting for some drama.

Joanna's eyes widened in surprise. She rushed over to greet me, clearly afraid I'd expose her criminal past again.

"Savannah, it's been so long! Why don't we go upstairs and catch up?" Joanna led me out onto a balcony, away from the crowd.

With just the two of us, she dropped the act and showed her true colors.

"Savannah, you're just as pathetic as ever. Did you really think I was only out on bail? I've been released for good. It looks like your luck's finally run out!

"Honestly, if it weren't for me, Alexander never would've even looked at you, let alone married you."

She shot a look at the faded mark on my neck and smirked. "There's barely even a mark left on your neck. After a whole year, you two still don't have a pup?"

I stared at her coldly. "How was a year in prison treating you?"

Her face twisted when I hit a nerve, but she quickly covered it with a malicious smile. "Do you know how pathetic your father looked, crawling toward me and begging for help after the crash?"

Her cruel laughter made my blood boil. I couldn't hold it back anymore, and I slapped her across the face.

Joanna just grinned, and then suddenly staggered backward, tumbling down the stairs.

A chorus of shocked screams echoed from the main hall.

"Oh my God! Joanna fell!"

"Savannah pushed her down the stairs!"

Alexander was the first to rush over, scooping Joanna into his arms. "Joanna, what happened?"

Joanna put on a pale, trembling face. "Savannah, I'm so sorry. I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me."

Alexander shot me a furious look. "Savannah, why would you push Joanna? Have you lost your mind? You promised you wouldn't come here today. What are you doing?"

I let out a cold laugh, staring blankly at Alexander holding Joanna in his arms. "Do you really not know why I'm here, Alexander? Was Joanna really just out on bail?"

He hesitated, and for a second, I caught panic flickering in his eyes.

"What more do you want from her? She's served her time. A whole year in prison! Everything between you two is settled.

"Today is Joanna's marking ceremony. Savannah, stop making a scene and apologize to her!"

Before I could respond, Joanna started crying in Alexander's arms, playing the victim perfectly. "It's alright, Alex, don't blame Savannah. I know she didn't mean it. This is all my fault. So, it's understandable if she pushed me.

"I just didn't expect that after all this time, she still can't forgive me. Maybe it's better if we don't see each other anymore. I don't want to make things harder for you."

Alexander's heart ached for her. He shot me another frosty glare and carried Joanna away.

After I was thrown out of the White Wolf pack's territory by the guards, Alexander finally bothered to text me.

"Joanna just got out of prison and is still emotionally unstable. If she said anything out of line, please go easy on her. I'm not blaming you for anything. I only asked you to apologize to show respect to the White Wolf pack, since you hurt their Luna.

"Let me finish up here, and I'll come home to apologize, alright? I promised to bring you a present, so please don't be upset…"

I knew he didn't ask me to apologize just to smooth things over with the White Wolf pack. What he really wanted was for me to bow my head to Joanna.

He was only trying to pacify me because he was afraid I'd pursue the matter of the letter of understanding.

When I went home to collect my things, I overheard Marcus's voice in the hallway.

"Alpha, are you sure about transferring it all to Joanna? Please reconsider. Giving her those forest assets could end up costing Redmoon pack more than a hundred million dollars—"

"Just do what I say," Alexander cut him off. "This is what I promised Joanna. On top of that, draft another agreement to transfer half of my pack shares to her."

I let out a cold laugh and left. As soon as I boarded my flight, I drank the bond-breaking potion. Pain ripped through my entire body like wildfire.

At that very moment, the video of Joanna's hit-and-run and the proof of Alexander's forged letter of understanding were uploaded to the Lycan Net, instantly topping every trending feed.