Chapter 4

Kane hasn't come home for three days since throwing me into the pool. No phone calls, no text messages, not even a single cold, mocking insult. It's as if I've disappeared. But I haven't been rotting away in my room. Today is the annual pack auction, and among the items up for bid is my grandmother's locket—an exquisite moonstone piece carved with intricate patterns that was stolen years ago and has now resurfaced.

I walked into the auction house with my head held high. Kane was already there, of course. Athena was on his arm, her laughter echoing in my ears, grating on my nerves. He saw me, and for a moment, his smile vanished. Good.

When Tobias Grimwald announced lot 27—"a moonstone locket, believed to be from the respected Shadow Hunter family"—my heart pounded.

"One million," I interrupted the murmuring crowd.

Kane whipped around to face me. He hadn't expected me to bid, much less bid so aggressively. Athena whispered something in his ear, a smug smile spreading across her face.

"Two million," Kane countered.

"Five million," I shot back, my gaze locked on his.

He clenched his jaw. "Ten million."

The room fell silent. Confusion rippled through the crowd, wondering why we were locked in such a fierce bidding war over a small locket.

"Twenty million," I said firmly.

Desperation flashed in Kane's eyes. He raised his paddle, then hesitated. He pulled out his phone, a sinister gleam in his eyes.

My phone buzzed. I opened the message. A photo. My grandmother, frail and weak, connected to life support, with a nurse adjusting the tubes. And a message: "Aria, go higher. Your grandmother's life support has an off switch. I can turn it off anytime."

My breath caught. I closed my eyes, fighting back the rage surging through me. He wouldn't. But he killed Nathan. He abandoned our child. He was capable of anything.

I lowered my paddle, my hand trembling.

"No bid," I said hoarsely, the words tearing from my throat.

Kane smirked, a cruel and triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"Fifty million," he declared, winning the locket.

Then he walked over to me with the locket in hand.

"Such a shame, Aria," he whispered, his voice dripping with malicious glee. "Your grandmother looked like a witch wearing this. This belongs on someone like Athena."

I didn't respond. I turned and walked into the ladies' restroom. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm myself.

The door creaked open, and Athena strutted in, her dress sparkling.

"Oh, Luna Aria," Athena purred, her eyes gleaming with victory.

"Still upset about losing that little locket? Such a pity. Sorry I had Kane give it to you, but he insisted I'd look better wearing it."

I sneered. "You think you've won?"

"You're just a pawn, Athena. A convenient tool. When Kane gets tired of you, he'll discard you just as easily."

She narrowed her eyes, then giggled.

"Kane loves me! He hasn't been home for days, has he? Because he's been with me every night, making love to me. He can't stand to look at you anymore. Aria, you're a bitter, barren she-wolf—a she-wolf that can't bear pups."

Before I could react, the restroom door burst open. Garrett Stone and Rex Boulder rushed in. They grabbed my arms and twisted them behind my back, causing me pain.

"Who... who are you?!" I struggled, but their hands gripped me like iron clamps.

Athena smiled as she watched.

"Just some friends, Aria. Here to teach you a lesson about respecting your superiors."

The men shoved me against the wall, Garrett covering my mouth. I fought desperately, my heart pounding, making desperate pleas.

Kane! I frantically sent through the mind link, pouring all my fear and desperation into it. Save me! Please!

The seconds felt like an eternity. Then the door was kicked open, and Kane stood there, his eyes blazing with fury. For a moment, I thought he had come to save me.

"Kane! Thank God!" Athena rushed toward him, pretending to be frightened.

"She attacked me! She called these men to ruin my reputation! She wanted to frame me and humiliate me in front of everyone."

I stared at her in stunned silence. This bold move, this pure malicious manipulation. Kane's gaze shifted from Athena to me, then back to Athena's trembling figure. His eyes, which had been filled with concern, now turned cold and disgusted. He strode toward me.

"You pathetic, desperate Luna!" he roared, his open palm striking my cheek with a sickening crack. My head snapped back, a sharp ringing in my ears. Something inside me shattered—my last bit of self-preservation vanished. I raised my hand, the pain in my ribs and face igniting my cold fury.

Slap.

The sound echoed in the silent room. Kane's eyes widened, his right cheek flushed red. Before he could react, I hit him again, harder this time, on his other cheek. Then I walked away, leaving them stunned.