CHAPTER 4
Anna's POV
Alpha Dylan rubs my shoulder gently. "I'll be leaving now," he says, rising to his feet. "Once you're done packing your stuff, come straight to the mansion."
I shake my head slightly, panic rising in my chest. You can't leave me here, I scream internally, but the words stay locked in my throat.
He doesn't understand. The moment he steps away, they'll kill me. I know it like I know my own name. A fresh wave of tears spills down my cheeks as he turns his back.
"Don't worry. No one would dare harm you—not while I'm still alive," Alpha Dylan says, and then turns to Beta Chris. "See that you provide her with whatever she needs before she leaves."
Beta Chris nods sharply. "Yes, Alpha. I'll do that immediately."
Alpha Dylan gives my shoulder a final, reassuring squeeze before turning to leave. My eyes cling to him as he walks away. Each step he takes feels like a countdown to my death. My heart slams against my ribcage, harder with every stride he puts between us. And then—he's gone.
My breath catches. My body trembles as I try to get up. But before I can find my footing, a hand yanks my hair violently. Pain explodes through my scalp, and I let out a muffled cry.
"Bitch," Beta Chris growls behind me.
Caroline's laughter rings out like a death bell. "What were you going to tell him, huh?" she taunts.
Chris drags me by my hair back into the house. I try to scream, but no sound comes.
Caroline walks behind us, smiling in a mean way. Even after what Alpha Dylan says, he's still going to hurt me. I know this is going to happen—that's why I don't want Alpha Dylan to leave.
"Please," I whisper. To my shock, my voice works again. Just a few minutes ago, I was mute—why now? Why would the universe play such a sick joke? When I had the chance to expose him to Alpha Dylan, my voice failed me. And now, when it's already too late, it returns?
He throws me like trash once we're inside. I hit the ground hard—my wrist smashes against the floor and blood gushes from a cut.
I bite my lip, trying not to scream. When I glance up, I see Beta Chris holding a handful of my hair. He looks at it with disgust, then tosses it to the ground and stomps on it like he's possessed.
My stomach churns at the madness in his eyes. Why? Why does he hate me this much?
I'm not my father. I didn't owe him anything. I've never defied him. Never even spoken back. Why such hatred?
He starts pacing the room, then suddenly bursts into laughter.
"What was it he said again?" Chris asks with a twisted smile, stepping closer. "I should provide you with whatever you need?"
He laughs harder, turning to Caroline. "Can you believe it? That stupid son of a bitch who thinks he owns the world wants me to take care of my servant."
Caroline joins in. "He's insane. How dare he try to take your servant without even asking your opinion!"
Beta Chris turns back to me, his face dark and serious now. "You know you're never leaving this place alive, right?"
"But… but the…" I stammer.
"But the Alpha said no one's going to hurt you?" he mocks.
I nod slowly, stupidly, hoping that somehow those words meant something.
"You see, my dear Anna the slave girl," he says, crouching beside me. I try to scoot back, but he grabs my neck, firm and brutal. "There are a thousand and one ways to kill someone and make it look like they did it themselves."
Every inch of my skin breaks out in goosebumps. He's going to kill me—and make it look like I committed suicide.
"Please, forgive me. I swear—" I start, but he silences me with a finger pressed to my lips.
"Shhh. You talk too much for a girl," he says with a smile. Then he releases my neck and rises to his feet.
"Just because I have a generous heart, I've decided to forgive you," he says, still grinning. "But only if you tell me how you survived last night."
"I… I don't…" I begin.
"Listen," he interrupts. "No one's ever survived seeing Goddess Ivanka. It's never been heard of. So how did you, huh? Why did she let you go?"
He's shouting now. Realizing it, he pauses and takes a deep breath. "What I mean is—why didn't my sacrifice work? Did I do something wrong? Is she angry with me? And how did you free yourself from the Dead Man Talisman?"
My hands begin to tremble. What can I say? If I tell him I can't remember, he'll think I'm lying. He'll beat me to death.
"She said… she said…" My voice is barely above a whisper.
"Yes? Go on. Don't be scared. Tell me what she said, and I swear on my mother's grave I won't kill you."
"Oh, for crying out loud, Chris," Caroline snaps. "We're wasting time! Let's just kill this bitch before that ruthless Alpha comes back."
"Shut the fuck up!" Beta Chris roars, standing tall again. "I need to know why Goddess Ivanka rejected my sacrifice before we kill her! Use your damn head."
I let out a bitter laugh—silent and hollow. So that's it. Even if I tell him the truth, I still die. His promise is worth nothing. They've already decided. I'm not getting out of this alive.
If Caroline wants me dead so badly… maybe I should take her down with me.
But before I can say anything, searing pain explodes in my skull. I scream and clutch my head as visions flood back—one after another, like a dam breaking.
It wasn't a dream.
I remember now. I remember everything.
I see her—Goddess Ivanka—bowing before me. Her voice rings in my ears like a divine echo.
You are an Emerald Wolf, child. The Mother of Destruction. The First of Your Kind.
My breath hitches.