Chapter 4

Alex POV:

The week leading up to the party was a nightmare. The house was falling apart, the servants were snapping, and Iliana spent her time screaming about flower arrangements.

Gavyn forced me to work, threatening the dungeon if the "First Shift Celebration" wasn't perfect.

The night arrived. The mansion was filled with dignitaries. Champagne flowed.

I stood in the corner in a plain black dress, invisible.

Iliana was the star, wearing a silver gown and the Moonstone Necklace-an ancient artifact meant only for the Alpha's true mate. Legend said it glowed for the worthy.

On Iliana, the stone was dull gray.

"Enjoying the view from the cheap seats?" Iliana appeared beside me, smelling of perfume and rot.

"Lovely party, Iliana."

"It is," she smirked. "And after tonight, you'll be in that shack. Or dead. Who knows?" She fingered the necklace. "This thing is heavy. It chafes."

"It's a sacred relic."

"It's a rock," she scoffed.

We were near the open French doors. Below us lay the artificial lake, dark and deep.

Iliana looked around. Gavyn was occupied.

She reached up and ripped the clasp.

"Oops."

She threw it.

I watched the priceless Moonstone sail over the railing and splash into the water.

"You bitch!" Iliana screamed, her voice shrill enough to cut glass. "Why did you do that?"

The music stopped. Every head turned.

"She threw it!" Iliana sobbed. "She tried to steal it, and when I caught her, she threw it in the lake!"

"That's a lie," I said calmly. "Check the security cameras."

Iliana's eyes flickered.

"Mommy is telling the truth!" Kaylin shouted, face smeared with chocolate. "I saw her! The nanny threw it!"

"Me too!" Kenneth added. "She said she hates us!"

The air left my lungs. The children I nursed through nightmares were condemning me without blinking.

Gavyn marched over, fury radiating off him.

"You destroyed the Moonstone?"

"I didn't. Your 'true mate' tossed it like garbage."

"My children do not lie!" Gavyn roared. The Alpha Command slammed into me. "You are petty. You are jealous. And you have disgraced this pack."

"Check the cameras, Gavyn."

"The cameras on the terrace were disabled for privacy," he said coldly. "Iliana requested it."

Of course.

"Guards!" Gavyn barked.

Two warriors grabbed me.

"You want to find the necklace so badly?" Gavyn sneered. "Then go get it."