Chapter 4

I wasn't in heat, but somehow my stomach was suddenly in excruciating pain.

I got up to leave, but the door was suddenly locked and wouldn't open no matter how hard I tried.

Seraphina's arrogant voice came from outside.

"Elara, how does it feel to have stolen love?"

"Kaelen has always loved me from beginning to end. Now that I'm back, you need to get lost."

"What kind of occasion is this today? How dare you follow along and steal my spotlight?"

My stomach hurt terribly. I could only hunch over, cold sweat beading on my forehead as I replied, "Seraphina, if you like him, he's yours. I don't want him anymore."

Seraphina thought I was lying and let out a cold laugh. "Bitch, you think I'll believe that?"

"You stole my identity back then, and now you want to steal my man too? Do you think you're worthy?"

"You'll stay here tonight. No one will come to save you."

Seraphina smiled smugly and dragged a nearby "Do Not Enter" sign to place in front of the door.

Since some of the auction items today couldn't be photographed, everyone had to surrender their phones when they entered.

Except for Seraphina, no one would come here.

I was in too much pain to speak. I knelt against the wall, sitting on the ground.

Using my last bit of strength, I knocked on the door and cried out desperately:

"Help! Is anyone there..."

"Help..."

Because of the sign Seraphina had placed, people passing by saw it and walked around, no one came over.

I didn't know how long I had been shouting before I finally passed out from the pain.

When the auction ended, Kaelen frowned when he saw that I still hadn't returned.

Seraphina blinked her innocent, kind eyes. "Alpha Kaelen, could sister have gotten angry and left because you gave her seat to me?"

"If I had known sister would be upset about this, I should have given it back to her."

Hearing Seraphina's self-reproach, Kaelen frowned. "You're the rightful Miss Vance. If you don't sit there, should a chief aide sit instead?"

"Forget about her. I've noticed her temper has been getting worse lately. It's good to humble her a bit. Let's go home first."

Where Kaelen couldn't see, Seraphina smiled triumphantly.

Elara, I told you long ago that you can't compete with me.

Not for family, not for love.

I didn't come home all night, but Kaelen didn't ask a single question.

The next day, Willow came to clean and finally opened the door.

She found me curled up in the corner, my dress damp, my body shivering even in my half-conscious state.

Willow approached with concern. "Miss, how did you get locked in the supply room?"

"You don't look well. Should I call a healer for you?"

My wet lashes trembled as I opened my eyes. I braced my arms on the ground and struggled to stand up.

"Thank you, but no need."

My stomach didn't hurt as much anymore, but the supply room had been so cold, so cold all night.

I had thought Kaelen would at least look for me.

It seemed I had overestimated myself again.

When we were children, when Seraphina went missing for just ten minutes, Kaelen was so anxious he almost called the entire pack guard.

Now, I had been gone all night, and Kaelen hadn't even bothered to look for me.

The difference between love and indifference was so vast.

I leaned against the wall and walked out step by step, then took a taxi home.

In the car, when I got my phone back, I discovered that Kaelen truly hadn't called even once.

But Damien had sent several messages:

"Elara, I can't wait a month. Just one week. I'll come get you in one week."