Chapter 4

That night, Kaelen didn't come home.

Elara sent me countless photos and videos.

She laid everything out before me, showing off Kaelen's love for her.

Those anniversaries, the fireworks Kaelen set off for me, that "E" initial - it wasn't for Ember, but for Elara.

Because beneath all those fireworks were Elara's initials.

Every moment he shared with me had Elara's shadow in it.

In the last video, Kaelen held Elara tightly, the two of them entwined like true mates.

Even though I knew they had a pup together and must have crossed that line long ago.

Seeing it with my own eyes still brought me to tears.

The next day, I followed the original plan and put on an evening gown to attend the auction.

I had just submitted my resignation, but I still had to do my job for now.

Usually, Kaelen and I would enter the auction together, but now I could only wait at the entrance.

The familiar license plate approached. Kaelen got out and froze for a moment when he saw me.

But quickly, he pulled himself together and opened the back door.

Elara appeared before me in a haute couture gown, dressed in luxury beyond compare.

The Moonridge family had fallen long ago, and Elara's outfit was worth at least ten million. Who had bought it for her was obvious.

I stopped moving forward. "Why did you bring Elara here?"

Kaelen frowned. "Elara just wants to see the world. Be generous. I won't make you pay for her expenses."

I forced a bitter smile.

Now he and Elara were one, and I had become the outsider.

Kaelen took Elara's hand and walked in, while Elara smiled smugly.

People around us were shocked and said, "I haven't heard any news about Alpha Kaelen getting a new mate. Is this the Luna?"

"Then who's that one behind them?"

He pointed at me.

Someone nearby said dismissively, "That's Alpha Kaelen's assistant. She usually accompanies Alpha Kaelen to these events. But now that he has a new Luna, she probably won't be brought along anymore."

I dug my nails into my palms and swallowed the bitterness.

After entering, Elara naturally sat beside Kaelen.

While I, the "assistant," was arranged in the back row.

I was completely dead inside and no longer cared about these things. Instead, Kaelen frowned and glanced at me.

He reached out his hand, as if wanting to comfort me.

But soon, Elara beside him said a few casual words and drew all his attention away.

After the auction began, whatever Elara liked, Kaelen would raise his hand to bid for her.

If someone else bid against him, he would even raise the ceiling.

Elara looked at Kaelen with a sweet smile and even offered him her lips.

Kaelen seemed surprised by Elara's action. After being kissed, his first reaction was to look back at me.

When he saw my face remained calm, Kaelen didn't feel relieved. Instead, the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.

He turned around and bid on several pieces he thought I would like, planning to give them to me afterward.

People around were praising Alpha Kaelen and his mate's deep affection, even starting to flatter Elara.

Those words could no longer stir my emotions. The auction ended quickly, and most people began to leave.

Just as I was about to leave, Elara stood before me with the jewelry she had just won, looking smug.

"Alpha Kaelen, I see Seraphina got nothing this time. Why don't we give her this necklace?"

Elara held it out to me like she was giving charity.

I reflexively slapped her hand away hard. Elara screamed and then her eyes turned red.

Kaelen frowned deeply and was about to scold me when suddenly a group of people rushed in through the entrance.

They wore masks and quickly surrounded us.