Chapter 4

"David gave me this necklace. You don't mind, do you, Mia?"

Grace deliberately swept back her long hair, revealing an antique emerald necklace around her neck.

I had just thrown the takeout containers in the trash. When I turned and saw that necklace, blood rushed to my head.

That was an heirloom of the Alpha King's family—a relic my mother left me before she died.

I had always kept it locked in my bedroom safe, rarely wearing it even myself.

"Take it off."

I walked up to Grace, my tone icy.

"Mia, why are you being so mean?"

Grace hid behind David, frightened.

"David said this necklace would just gather dust in the safe. Better to have it look beautiful on my neck."

David protected Grace, frowning at me.

"Mia, enough. You're just jealous of Grace. You're fighting over a worthless necklace?"

"I'll buy you ten tomorrow. Pick whichever you want."

Looking at his self-righteous face, I suddenly felt the past seven years had been one absurd joke.

"David, that's my mother's relic."

"What right do you have to touch my safe?"

David's eyes flickered, but he quickly resumed his superior attitude.

"Your things are my things. Why are we drawing such clear lines between us?"

"Besides, Grace is accompanying me to Moonridge Pack's banquet tonight. She needs a statement piece of jewelry."

"You're a behind-the-scenes bartender who never shows her face. Wearing something like this would be wasted on you."

At this moment, the live comments scrolled across my vision:

[Giving someone's mother's relic to his mistress? Is this guy brain damaged?]

[This makes me so angry. That's theft—call the police and arrest him.]

[Mia is too calm. This is the calm before the storm. Can't wait for Chapter 4 to slap him in the face.]

"I'll say this one last time. Take it off."

I stepped forward and reached directly for the necklace clasp.

David shoved me away, the force making me crash into the corner of the dining table.

Sharp pain shot through my lower back.

"Mia, don't push your luck."

David looked down at me, his eyes full of disgust.

"Grace wearing your things is doing you a favor."

"If you keep being unreasonable, even I won't want you anymore."

Grace hid behind him, a triumphant smile on her lips.

"David, forget it. Maybe Mia really can't bear to part with it. I'll just give it back to her."

She made a show of reaching to unclasp the necklace.

David pressed down on her hand.

"Keep wearing it. I'd like to see who dares touch it today."

He stared coldly at me.

"Mia, I don't have time for your nonsense tonight. Stay home and reflect. When you're ready to apologize, then call me."

With that, he pulled Grace and walked straight out the door.

The door slammed shut.

I held onto the table and slowly straightened up. The pain in my lower back made me even more clear-headed.

I didn't cry. I didn't throw things.

I walked into the bedroom and opened the safe that had been forcibly pried open.

Inside, besides that necklace, there was a debt settlement document for Moonridge Pack.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in seven years.

"Liam, I need you to do something for me."

Liam was my father the Alpha King's Beta—and also my fated mate.

Years ago, for so-called "true love" with David, I hid my identity, had a huge fight with my family, and even ran away from my arranged marriage to come here and work as a bartender.

Liam had been searching for me for seven years. Waiting for me for seven years.

"Mia, you've finally contacted me. The Alpha King has been thinking about you all these years..." Liam's voice trembled slightly, which was rare for him.

"Save the reminiscing for later." I cut him off coldly, my eyes sharp as knives.

"I need you to do something for me."

"Cut off all working capital to Moonridge Pack. Stop supplying resources to Moonridge Pack. Immediately."

Silence on the other end of the line for a second, then Liam's low, pleased laughter came through.

"As you wish, Mia."

"I'll personally fly over with my team tomorrow. I guarantee that within forty-eight hours, David will be kneeling at your feet."

I hung up and looked at myself in the mirror—someone who had compromised for love for seven years.

David, you asked for this.