Chapter 4

Back at my apartment, I turned off my phone, drew the curtains, and slept like a baby.

The next morning, the moment I powered my phone on, it was flooded with missed calls from the Moon Shadow Pack.

Suddenly, a local, unknown number called.

I picked up, and the frantic voice of Brenda, the guard captain, came through. Her arrogant tone from yesterday was completely gone.

"Evelyn Reed! Please, you have to come back! Julian collapsed at the border! He’s spitting up black blood!"

"The border patrol has approved a VIP express pass for you! We have a private car waiting!"

I scoffed. "A VIP pass? Didn't Julian personally kick me out yesterday? What's the matter? Now you're begging me?"

"Cut the crap!" she shrieked, still trying to boss me around. "The Moon Shadow Pack is threatening my job! If I get fired because of you, I'll destroy you! Get over here right now!"

I hung up and blocked her number.

But less than thirty minutes later, a violent pounding shook my front door.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

Along with the banging came a sharp, toxic smell.

"Evelyn Reed! You fraud! Get your ass out here!"

I threw the door open.

A bucket of thick, wet red paint was splashed all over my wooden door, dripping down the frame.

Brenda stood there, flanked by several burly werewolf guards in border patrol uniforms, looking furious.

The hallway was already crowded with nosy neighbors, whispering and pointing at me.

"Oh my god, she looked like such a nice girl. Who knew she was a killer doctor?"

"Exactly! They threw red paint at her door. She must have done something horrible!"

Hearing the gossip, Brenda smirked, feeling empowered.

"Look at her, everyone! This is the Omega!"

"She took a patient's money and then refused to treat him, leaving him to die!"

"Now she's hiding in her apartment like a coward! This criminal needs to be locked up!"

She looked wild, pushed to the brink by the Moon Shadow Pack. She was clearly trying to make me the scapegoat to save her own skin.

"You think you can hide? Even if I have to drag your corpse, you're coming with us!"

I stared at the red paint, ready to dial 911, when heavy footsteps echoed from the stairwell.

Several large, black-suited werewolf bodyguards pushed the gossiping neighbors aside.

Beta Finch walked up, looking down his nose at me.

Brenda rushed to him like a loyal dog. "Beta Finch! Look, I found her! She won't delay Julian’s treatment anymore!"

Finch didn't even spare her a glance. He walked straight up to me.

"Evelyn Reed, I assume you've thrown your little tantrum?"

He pulled out a black credit card, sliding it between his fingers.

"Six million dollars. Double the original price."

"Pack your bags and come with me. The Moon Shadow Pack is willing to overlook your little stunt."

I didn't even look at the card. Two words slipped past my lips.

"Not interested."

"Don't push your luck!" Finch’s face darkened instantly, his polite mask slipping off.

"Do you really think you can mess with the Moon Shadow Pack?"

He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper.

"If you won't come willingly, I will have you bound and dragged to the healing pool. We have plenty of ways to make you cooperate."

"For instance... I believe your mother, Margaret, is currently staying at the Grey Oak Sanatorium?"

I froze.

My blood ran cold. Those bastards actually tracked down my mother!

"If you touch a single hair on her head, I will kill you," I hissed, my eyes glaring with pure rage.

"We will do whatever it takes to save our heir," Finch sneered, completely smug.

"Be smart, Evelyn. Pack your things."

"Otherwise, I guarantee your mother will be thrown out of that sanatorium and onto the freezing streets by noon!"

The bodyguards stepped forward, grabbing my arms.

Brenda giggled maliciously from the side. "Hear that? You thought you were so special. You really don't know when to quit, do you?"

Looking at their ugly faces, I suddenly laughed.

Finch frowned, irritated. "What the hell are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at how incredibly stupid you all are."

I stopped laughing and looked directly at Brenda.

"You think I'm just refusing to save Julian?"

"Even if I go right now, he's a dead man."

Finch’s face went pale. He grabbed me by my collar. "What do you mean?!"