Chapter 4

Emily Carter POV

"Sophia!"

James reacted with lightning speed.

He wrapped his arm around Sophia's waist, pulling her into his chest and spinning away from the lethal blade.

But he forgot that I was standing right behind him.

Not only did his spin expose me directly to the danger, but he also shoved me hard. The force sent me crashing right into the path of the frantic woman's dagger.

The sound of metal tearing through flesh echoed sharply in the quiet living room.

An agonizing pain erupted just below my left shoulder blade. The cold silver blade sank deep into my back, and hot blood immediately spurted out.

The burning sensation of silver began to eat away at my wound.

I let out a strangled groan, my knees buckling as I collapsed onto the floor.

"Emily!"

My mother screamed, rushing down the stairs.

I clutched my wound, but blood kept oozing through my fingers.

My vision began to blur, but before darkness claimed me, I saw James's face clearly.

He was holding a trembling Sophia, staring at me lying in a pool of blood. His eyes were wide with shock and a fleeting moment of pure panic.

His lips moved, seemingly calling my name.

But I couldn't hear him anymore.

When I woke up, I was in the Packhouse clinic.

The sharp smell of antiseptic made me wince.

The moment I opened my eyes, I saw my mother sitting by the bed, her eyes swollen.

"Emily, you're finally awake! You scared me to death..."

She squeezed my hand, tears spilling over again.

I forced a weak smile.

"Mom, I'm fine."

"Fine?! The blade was an inch away from your heart! And it was silver!"

My mother snapped, turning her head to glare at James, who was standing by the window.

"James Whitfield, are you blind?! It's one thing to protect that trash, but why did you throw Emily in front of the knife? She is your sister!"

James stood in the shadows, his face incredibly dark.

He stared at me, his jaw clenched tightly, his voice hoarse.

"It wasn't intentional. It was an emergency, and I didn't see her behind me."

"Didn't see her? You're an Alpha, and you can't even protect your own family?"

My mother was shaking with rage.

"Let me tell you, Emily is about to..."

"Mom!"

I used every ounce of my remaining strength to cut her off.

My mother froze, seeing the pleading look in my eyes, and reluctantly swallowed the rest of her words.

James's sharp instincts picked up on the tension. His brow furrowed.

"She's about to what?"

"Nothing," I said coldly, looking straight at him. "My mother means I'm leaving the Packhouse soon anyway, so I won't be an eyesore. My wound is fine, so please don't trouble yourself, Alpha James."

James's face hardened instantly.

He walked to the bedside, looking down at me with his usual arrogant contempt.

"Emily, you don't need to play the victim in front of me. Don't think that taking a knife for Sophia will make me soft on you. This trick is pathetic."

I stared at him, feeling absolutely nothing.

"James, do you have a persecution complex?"

I said quietly.

"I took this hit to pay you back for the ten years you acted as my brother. From now on, we are even. The door is right there. Get out. I need to rest."

He glared at me, trying to find a crack in my armor, but ultimately just sneered.

"Good. Keep it that way."

He turned and stormed out of the clinic.

I spent a week under the healer's care. The moment my wound closed up, I demanded to be discharged.

The day the Alpha King's escort was coming was drawing near, and I didn't want any complications.

On the day of my release, it wasn't my mother who came to pick me up, but James's Beta, David Mercer.

The car didn't head back to the Packhouse. Instead, it pulled up outside an exclusive private VIP lounge.

"Miss Emily, Alpha James is waiting for you inside," David said respectfully.

I frowned but got out of the car.

When I pushed the VIP room door open, the dim lights revealed a room filled with the heavy scent of alcohol and smoke.

James sat in the center, with Sophia clinging weakly to his chest.

Opposite them sat a bulky, greasy-looking man with a disgusting leer on his face.

It was Marcus Reed, a notorious scumbag in the city.

He was a lone wolf who ran underground businesses, interested in nothing but money and women.

The moment I entered, Marcus's eyes lit up, his gaze roaming shamelessly over my body.

"Ah, so this is Emily? A real beauty."

My stomach churned. I looked coldly at James.

"What is the meaning of this?"

James flicked his cigarette ash, his tone incredibly casual.

"Because of the forum scandal, some Council members are trying to impeach Sophia. She needs a win to prove herself. Mr. Reed here is willing to sign a major contract with us. Didn't you say you don't owe me anything anymore? Have a few drinks with Mr. Reed tonight, help Sophia secure this contract, and then your debt to the Moonhowl Pack will be fully paid."

I stared at him in utter disbelief.

To pave the way for Sophia, to squeeze every last drop of value out of me, he was willing to throw me to a notorious predator?

"James, you make me sick."

I turned to leave.

"Stop right there!"

James's voice was like ice.

"Emily, if you dare walk out that door today, I will freeze all your accounts and kick you out of the Moonhowl Pack. You are an orphan. Without us, you are nothing but a stray dog."