Chapter 4

• NYRA
• Luca stormed over, furious."What the hell is wrong with you!?"
• He hadn't seen it, but Gamma Mari did—his eyes still pinning my hand with a confused look.
• I instinctively pushed my hand further behind.
• Angrily as he gazed at Rivena on the ground, Luca pushed me aside.
• I frowned, but barely stumbled and so I stepped forward again.
• I grabbed a stray basket from the ground, then swung it—smashing it straight into Luca's head with an unbelievable force.
• Slow gasps filled the air from bystanders.
• Did I just dare to hit the Alpha?
• Luca's vision bluffed for a second as rage flared in his eyes.
• I didn't wait.
• Before he could react, I kicked Rivena's leg once more before turning to leave.
• Luca, now recovering from the hit, grabbed me angrily.
• "What has gotten into you!?" His voice thundered across the field.
• I only looked at him over my shoulders.
• "Better me than an enemy pack. At least I didn't kill her." I turned fully, his grip siding off me. "If she's the Luna you want, you deserve her."
• His breath caught—briefly.
• "You must have thought it wrong, Nyra." His nostrils flared. "I told you before—there's nothing going on between us!"
• I scoffed, then passed a fuming Rivena on the ground one last glance—watching her chest rise and fall heavily as she whimpered in pain.
• I smirked, taking in the dirt on her face deliciously. "You truly belong in the gutters, Rivena."
• With that, I turned and walked away, eyes of the members following me, with their mouths hung open in awe.
• Just as I approached my car, Gamma Mari called behind me.
• I waited, watching as he walked up to me with a look of arrogance.
• When he stopped before me, he stretched my phone forward indifferently.
• "It dropped on the field," he said.
• I took it from him, but my brows raised when he wouldn't leave.
• "Alpha Luca says to drive you home."
• I scoffed unbelievably, but my gaze soon turned cold. "Not interested," I said, pulling my car knob.
• "You're lucky Alpha Luca loves you. No one defies him and leaves scot-free," he said with as much arrogance as he could.
• I continued but he spoke again.
• "Earlier—"
• My breath hitched slightly.
• "What was that?"
• I didn't care to give a response. I stepped into my car, slammed the door and drove off.
• My breaths were heavy as I drove, heart hammering in my chest.
• "Serene, is that you?" I whispered, glancing at my hand for the trails I had seen earlier.
• I had never felt that way. Except that one time.
• But this was different.
• Just as I reached the estate's gates—my phone rang.
• My so-called mother’s name flashed as the caller's ID and I bit back a scoff.
• Words sure flew around quickly. It hadn't even been a minute.
• Her favorite must have gone crying to her.
• I swiped right and her voice blared through the speakers immediately.
• "I need to see you. Right now!" She growled.
• I tightened my grip on the wheels, eyes concentrated on the road. "Not interested," I simply said.
• That angered her more. "How dare you speak to your mother like that!?"
• "Why are you calling?"
• Her voice softened, only for a beat. "Did you really pick a fight with Rivena?"
• "I'm not exactly free to do that, am I?" I smirked. "I'm a busy woman."
• She scoffed loudly. "Busy with what? You're not exactly busy performing your womanly duties to Luca, are you?"
• She started her usual tirade—accusing me of immaturity, of jealousy, of never being enough. The same speech she gave every time Rivena cried.
• She cleared her throat lightly on the other end. "It happened years ago, can't you let it go?" Her tone softened slightly.
• For a moment, heat crawled up my neck. I swallowed hard, before pushing the bile that rushed up my throat down.
• But it was only for a fleeing moment.
• "Lady Marielle," I called coldly. "You do remember she tried to kill me, right?"
• "Don't be ridiculous!" She spoke harshly. "My Rivena would never do that. She has a pure heart."
• She never would?
• I almost laughed.
• Rivena had a pure heart?
• A pure heart doesn't lace coffee with wolfsbane.
• "And that's why the wedding has to be postponed?"
• She paused for a beat. "Oh, Luca told you already. But you don't have to worry, it's only for now. She's very sick, and needs Luca by her side."
• I drew back, I couldn't believe my ears. "She's sick—my mate has to stay by her side? And our wedding gets postponed? How much more ridiculous could this family get?"
• She didn't bother hiding her annoyance now. "Rivena and Luca grew up together. They have always relied on and cherished each other. You can't take that way just because he's your betrothed." She paused sharply, inhaling deeply. "Just step back for now. Luca will still get married to you. But for now, Rivena's health is top priority."
• I hung up before she could say more. The bile in my throat burned hotter than the wolfsbane ever had.
• My heart pounded with fury as I leaned back against the headrest, eyes unfocused on the dashboard.
• But then — the memories came rushing in.
• The scent of fresh coffee. Rivena’s laughter echoing through my room. “A peace offering,” she’d said, smiling sweetly as she handed me the cup.
• The next moment, pain— searing and raw — tearing through my throat. My body had collapsed before I could scream. And when I woke up in the healer’s ward three months later, she was crying by my bedside, telling everyone it wasn’t her fault.
• Everyone believed her.
• Everyone except me.
• I clenched my fists until my nails dug deep into my palms, grounding myself in the present. “You won’t win this time,” I whispered.
• My phone buzzed on the dashboard. I frowned and reached for it.
• A message blinked on the screen.
• ~My pretty good girl. You’re staying hidden so well.~
• My breath caught.
• The number was unknown. No name. No clue.
• He found me.
• Slowly, my gaze drifted toward the window.
• The moonlight spilled across the estate, silvering the trees — and for the briefest moment, I saw it.
• A silhouette. Still. Watching.
• And then… it vanished.
• My heart thudded once, hard. I gripped my phone tighter, eyes locked on the empty dark.
• He knows I'm here.
• He found me.