Chapter 4

When I got home, Kieran and Sophia were having dinner.

The massive dining table was set with prime steaks and red wine, everything elegant and polished.

He glanced at me, his voice flat and emotionless.

"So, you finally decided to come back?"

I ignored his question and shot back with a cold stare.

"Why did you have the manager fire me?"

My tone was even, but the rage was simmering just beneath.

"Five years, Kieran. Haven't you humiliated me enough?"

His brow lifted casually, not a flicker of guilt in his face.

"You need to suffer a little to realize the pack is the only real shelter you have."

He leaned back in his chair, relaxed, like this was just another lecture.

"Nora, do you even know what people are saying about you out there? The things being whispered about you pouring drinks for rogue wolves? I've been keeping those rumors from reaching your ears. You should be grateful."

Sophia set down her fork and knife, her tone dripping with mock concern.

"Kieran, you're too kind to her. She doesn't appreciate it at all. Just look at her face—she's blaming you."

"Shut up!"

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I lunged at her, hand raised, ready to slap that smug look off her face.

But before I could touch her, Kieran caught my wrist.

His Alpha strength was overwhelming. I couldn't move.

His face turned to stone, voice cold and sharp.

"What are you doing? Unbelievable. You still don't realize what you did wrong?"

"Want me to make it impossible for you to survive in this state?"

My heart clenched so hard that it hurt.

Survive?

Hadn't he already done everything to make sure I couldn't?

He ruined every job I tried to hold and killed every tiny shred of hope I clung to.

He made sure I was worth less than a rat in the gutter—sick, starving, and unable to afford even a simple urn for my ashes.

I'd had enough. Enough of his threats. Enough of all of it.

My control snapped. I screamed, voice raw and shaking.

"I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Kieran, if you want me dead so badly, fine! I'll die! Would that make you happy?"

"At least in hell, you won't be able to control me anymore!"

I saw something flare in his eyes. His temple twitched. His Alpha pheromones exploded in the room, crashing over me like a wave, choking the air from my lungs.

"Even if you die," he said, voice low and vicious, "you'll still owe me."

Then he shoved me.

It wasn't much force. But I was so weak that it felt like being hit by a truck.

I collapsed. My lower back slammed against the leg of the dining table. Pain shot through me, cold and sharp. My face went pale. Sweat broke out across my skin.

Kieran's eyes flickered with something. Regret? I didn't know. But he turned his back on me without a word.

"You don't even have the right to die," he said. "Not until you get Mother's necklace back."

And with that, he walked out of the dining room.

I couldn't get up. The pain kept me pinned to the polished floor.

Sophia stood over me, arms crossed, looking down with gleeful cruelty.

"Look at you, sister. Pathetic."

She tilted her head, voice syrupy and cruel.

"How about this? You kneel. Beg me. Maybe then I'll tell you who bought that stupid necklace."

I glared up at her, eyes burning with hatred. I wanted to tear her apart and rip her throat out.

But I couldn't even shift anymore. I didn't have the strength.

Five years of humiliation. And now, even at the edge of death, I wasn't allowed any dignity.

Kieran's words echoed in my mind.

"You don't even have the right to die."

"You'll still owe me."

Fine.

I'd get the necklace back.

And then I could finally die in peace.

I wiped the tears off my face with the back of my hand.

Then, slowly, I got down on my knees.

"Please," I whispered. "Tell me where Mother's necklace is."

I had always fought back when she schemed against me. Every time, I clawed my way up just to strike back.

But this time, I didn't even argue.

Maybe that's why she looked disappointed, as if the game had lost its fun.

She tossed a crumpled note at me.

"That's the address of the black market pawnshop," she said sweetly. "But, sister, let's see if you can actually get it back."