Chapter 4

"You there, attendant, pour me a glass of wine."

Holding a tray, I was just about to head to a corner of the hall to stand when Jessica's voice rang out from behind me.

I didn't turn back and merely continued walking forward. With the mask covering half my face and clad in the leather attire meant for common attendants, I had thought I would be able to blend into the crowd.

"Wait a minute, that attendant looks somewhat familiar."

Jessica raised her voice, deliberately gaining the attention of the surrounding werewolves.

Upon hearing that, I increased my speed, wanting to leave the hall as quickly as I could.

"Hold it right there!" Suddenly, Jessica rushed over to stand in my way. "You spilled wine onto my ceremonial robe just now!"

"I did not," I calmly replied.

"Still trying to deny it?" Her hand abruptly darted out to grab the edges of my mask. "Let me see who you are!"

I wanted to pull free, but she was a lot stronger than I was. The moment my mask was ripped off, the entire hall fell into a hushed silence.

"Gianna?"

Liam's voice drifted over from the platform, a mix of fury and shock evident in it.

All the guests present turned to look in our direction before a flurry of whispers began.

"Oh my, isn't that the she-wolf who betrayed Alpha Liam?"

"How dare she appear here?"

"She truly is shameless beyond measure."

Jessica smiled smugly. "Liam, look! She even had the guts to sneak into our banquet."

Liam descended the platform, his every step exuding a dominating aura. When he came to a stop in front of me, I could clearly see the icy fury blazing in his gaze.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Working," I replied, bowing my head.

"Working?" Liam scoffed. "Gianna, you really don't know your place, do you? This is a sacred pack celebration—not the type of event a traitor like you has the right to attend."

Jessica suddenly screamed, "My robe! She really did dirty my robe!"

She was pointing at a tiny stain on the edge of her robe, her eyes glinting with malice.

"I'm sorry. I'll compensate you for it," I said.

"Compensate me?" Jessica laughed coldly. "With what? This is the holy robe blessed by the Moon Goddess herself! It's utterly priceless!"

"Then what do you want?"

A hint of wicked intent flashed through her eyes before she suddenly raised her leg and kicked me in the chest, hard.

Agony exploded through me as I crumpled to the ground, feeling as though my entire chest had caved in. The deterioration of my bloodline had made it so that I wasn't even able to withstand such a blow.

"Jessica!" Liam frowned.

Immediately, Jessica put on a pitiful expression. "I'm sorry, Liam. I was just too angry. She purposely dirtied my robe yet refuses to apologize."

Around us, the guests burst into uproarious laughter.

"Look at what a mess she is now! She truly deserves it!"

"Back then, she betrayed her mate, all so she could throw herself into the arms of a stronger Alpha. Now, she can't even do the job of an attendant properly."

"Seems like karma got to her."

Several younger werewolves even started using their spiritual energy to fling wine at me.

"Traitor!"

"Shameless!"

"Get the hell out of here!"

As the wine splashed onto me, my clothes were quickly soaked through. Nonetheless, I remained kneeling on the ground, silently enduring the crowd's mockery and humiliation.

In their bid to curry favor with Liam, these werewolves weren't holding back at all as they directed their malice toward me.

Liam towered over me while staring down at me from above. Not a hint of sympathy or pity marred his features.

"Stand up," he ordered.

I struggled to my feet, my entire body trembling.

"Since you're that desperate to make amends, I'll give you one chance." Liam then grabbed a jug of wine from an attendant. "This is Shadowthorn Wine. It's completely harmless to werewolves. If you can finish an entire jug, I'll give you one Flower of Life."

With that said, he pulled out a silver flower from the folds of his robe before casually tossing it on the ground.

"A Flower of Life…"

My voice shook as I stared at the flower, which was exuding life energy.

The Flower of Life was an incredibly rare and precious herb that could nourish one's bloodline. Just one flower alone could extend my life by an entire month.

"Well? Are you too scared? Or is it that you think you're not worthy of such a reward?"

Liam's voice was rife with mockery.

The other guests also joined in.

"Drink it!"

"Make her drink it!"

"Let's see whether she truly has the guts!"

I eyed the Flower of Life on the floor before turning to look at the Shadowthorn Wine Liam was holding. I was well aware that, in my current condition, drinking that wine would only accelerate my death.

However, I really needed that flower.

"I'll do it."

A frosty expression crossed Liam's face, while the other werewolves had mocking sneers as they got ready to watch the show.