Chapter 4

Five days later, Kieran and Serafina returned from their trip. The moment they stepped through the door, Elara's gaze was drawn to the dazzling moonstone necklace around Serafina's neck.

She glanced at it once and quickly looked away.

She had guessed correctly. Kieran had indeed intended to give that necklace to Serafina. What had he been trying to say that day when he hesitated? Perhaps he wanted to explain that it was a surprise prepared to please his new girlfriend all along.

Serafina was always very warm toward Elara in front of Kieran.

She immediately took Elara's hand and said, "Elara, you must have been so bored at home alone. I bought lots of things—come see if there's anything you like."

As she spoke, Serafina took off her coat and pulled Elara toward the pile of gift boxes. Elara shook her head and politely declined, but Serafina gave her a look of rebuke, her tone carrying a subtle edge.

"Why are you being so polite? Just take it as a gift from your future Luna, okay?"

Elara subconsciously looked up and saw a clearly visible hickey on the side of Serafina's neck. Her heart skipped a beat.

Among the photos Serafina had sent from Mayfair, there was one that directly showed the large bed in the vacation home. Elara hadn't understood the implication then, but seeing these marks now, everything was self-evident.

She lowered her head and said nothing.

While unpacking boxes, Serafina chatted about the evening's activities.

"Kieran, let's take Elara to Carmen Smith's Winter Solstice birthday party tonight. They're about the same age; they should get along."

Hearing about the party, Elara paused.

Since moving into the Alpha's mansion after her parents died, Kieran had never taken her to any formal social events. People always loved to gossip, saying she was a Beta orphan who survived only on the Alpha's pity.

This time, Kieran shook his head again. However, Serafina hugged his arm and whined, insisting that she would be bored alone and needed Elara for company.

Unable to resist her, Kieran finally smiled helplessly and dotingly, agreeing.

Watching their loving interaction, Elara lowered her head with a bitter smile. The fact that Kieran broke his principles for Serafina showed just how special she was to him.

It seemed Kieran really loved Serafina. Elara thought, as long as he was happy, even if the person standing beside him wasn't her, she could leave with peace of mind.

At Carmen's birthday party, amidst the toasting and laughter, Elara stood alone in a corner, silently drinking juice and watching Kieran block glass after glass of wine for Serafina.

A group of young wolf girls passed by and accidentally spilled red wine on Elara.

They apologized hurriedly, but Elara didn't mind. She used the excuse of going to the restroom to clean up, handed her phone and clutch to Kieran, and left.

Ten minutes later, when she returned, Kieran frowned at her, his tone peculiar. "Your grandmother Rose called just now. I said you were busy, and she said she'd call back later."

Elara's heart tightened. Fortunately, Rose hadn't mentioned her immigration; only then did she breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Noticing her sudden tension, Kieran asked, "When did you reconnect with your grandmother in the human world?"

"A few weeks ago. She asked me to send her some old photos," Elara fabricated a reason.

Kieran seemed relieved and didn't press further. He turned around to help Serafina adjust her hair.

Elara took back her phone and clutch, preparing to retreat to her corner again.

Just as she turned to leave, the massive ice sculpture in the center of the banquet hall suddenly gave a crisp cracking sound and toppled straight toward Elara and Serafina.

"Look out!" Kieran was closest. Without a thought, he grabbed Serafina and pulled her out of the danger zone, shielding her tightly in his arms.

Crash!

The ice sculpture collapsed with a deafening shatter. Elara had no time to react and was struck by the falling jagged blocks of ice.

Shards flew everywhere. She fell to the ground, blood gushing from wounds on her forehead and arm, instantly staining her white dress red—a shocking sight.

The scene stunned everyone in the room. Although Serafina was unharmed, she was so frightened she began to scream and cry.

Kieran looked between Serafina and Elara, hesitating for only a split second before making his decision.

"Call a doctor to take her to the hospital," he ordered a bodyguard. Then, holding the sobbing Serafina, he rushed out of the venue.

Not until their figures disappeared did Elara struggle to stand up under the pitying gazes of the onlookers.

By the time she had her wounds treated and returned home, it was already one in the morning.

The doctor had given her over a dozen stitches and suggested she stay for observation, but Elara refused, took some medicine, and went home. Although werewolves had strong self-healing abilities, the ice seemed to have been mixed with some magic powder that inhibited healing, and the wounds still throbbed with pain.

Kieran hadn't come back yet.

Elara turned off the lights and lay in bed, staring blankly at the dark ceiling. The severe pain from her wounds made sleep impossible.

She tossed and turned until three in the morning before finally drifting into a groggy sleep.

Suddenly, the light in the hallway turned on.

Kieran was back, reeking of alcohol, stumbling up the stairs.

He didn't go to his Alpha master bedroom. Instead, as if possessed, he walked to the small guest room at the end of the hall and gently pushed open the door.

Elara was sleeping lightly. Turning over pulled at her wounds, and she let out a low moan in her sleep.

The faint sound caught Kieran's attention. Alcohol numbed his reason but amplified the instincts he had been suppressing.

Following the sound, he walked to the bed, leaned down, and pulled her into his arms.

One hand moved to her waist, gently caressing her soft skin, while the other lifted her chin. In that familiar aura that made his soul tremble, he kissed her.