Chapter 4

A snarl ripped through my chest, my wolf reeling from the betrayal.

I was the last of the Silver Wolf bloodline. Mating with me was a gift!

How dare he treat me like this? Humiliate me?

I clenched my fists and shifted, running back to the pack house.

Even if he had saved my life once, I couldn't accept this...

Just as I was planning my escape, Ethan appeared.

"Come with me."

He grabbed my arm roughly, dragging me out of my rooms.

"What are you doing?"

"You're going to apologize," he said, his voice like ice. "You terrified Selena. She's still shaking."

I wrenched my arm free.

"I'm not going."

Ethan spun around, his eyes blazing with fury. "What did you say?"

"I said, I'm not going," I repeated, word by word. "I didn't push her. I have nothing to apologize for."

"Didn't push her?" he sneered. "Everyone saw you!"

"Then why didn't you ask me what happened?"

"I don't need to ask!" he roared. "I saw her fall with my own eyes! If I hadn't caught her, she'd be seriously injured right now!"

"She wouldn't have jumped if you weren't there waiting to catch her!" I screamed back.

The words hung in the air. We both froze.

Ethan's eyes turned dangerous. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." I tried to walk away. "I'm tired. I want to rest."

"Stop!"

His Alpha command hit me from behind.

My body locked up against my will.

"You are going to apologize."

"I refuse."

"Then you leave me no choice."

He pulled something from his pocket and dangled it in front of me.

The Alpha sigil of the Silver Moon pack.

An ancient silver ring, carved with my family's totem.

It was the only thing my parents left me.

"That's mine," I reached for it.

"It's mine now," he closed his fist around it. "You want it back? Go apologize."

I stared at him.

This was the face I had promised to protect forever, spark or no spark.

Now it was just a stranger’s face, etched with lies.

"Fine," I said. "I'll apologize. But you give me back my ring."

"After you apologize."

"Now."

We stared at each other for a long moment.

My father once told me this ring held the honor and dignity of our pack.

Now, I would use it to witness the end of that honor and dignity.

Selena's new room was in the east wing of the manor.

Ethan had it prepared for her overnight.

It was decorated like a princess's chamber.

"Come in," her weak voice called from inside.

I pushed the door open.

She was lounging on the bed in a silk robe, the Heart of the Luna still around her neck.

"Selena, I'm here to apologize."

"Apologize?" Ethan stepped in behind me. "Like that? Standing up?"

I turned to look at him.

"Kneel," he ordered, his voice flat. "Shift. And apologize to her in your wolf form."

The air turned to ice.

Kneeling in wolf form was the ultimate sign of submission.

He actually made me, the last Silver Wolf blessed by the Goddess, kneel to a half-breed Omega.

This is more than personal humiliation.

He spat on the pride and legacy of my entire clan!

"Ethan..." Selena said, pretending to be concerned. "Isn't that a bit much?"

"No, it's perfect," Ethan's eyes were cold, empty of any warmth. "She has to pay for what she did."

I looked at him, the man I would have died for.

"As you wish."

I shifted.

My massive, silver-white wolf form filled the room, my fur shimmering in the dim light.

Slowly, I lowered my proud head.

I, the last of the Silver Wolf bloodline, bowed before an omega half-breed.

"Are you satisfied?" I asked, shifting back to my human form. My voice was terrifyingly calm.

A flicker of something complex crossed Ethan's face, but it was gone in an instant.

Finally, he tossed the ring to me.

I caught it and slid it onto my finger.

"Get out."

I turned to leave.

At the door, I paused.

"Ethan."

"What?"

"Is the ceremony still on for tomorrow?"

His entire body tensed. His eyes wouldn't meet mine.

"Of course. You're my fated mate. I just can't stand to see you hurting the weak..."

I looked back at him. A cold smile touched my lips.

"Okay. I'll be waiting."