Behind me, Liv screamed and begged. She must have heard what I said. But I finished my sentence anyway.
"Lock her in the dungeon. At the next full moon, I'll judge her before the entire pack."
Betrayal could only be repaid in blood.
Herman nodded, then his gaze fell to my shoulder. "Are you really not going to treat that wound?"
I looked down too. The gunshot wound from Liv's attack had only been hastily bandaged. After the fight, it had torn open again, blood seeping through. But I didn't want a doctor to re-dress it. I wanted this pain to last longer. Only pain could truly punish my stupidity and remind me of my mistakes.
"Leave it," I said coldly.
Herman's expression grew more worried. I pretended not to notice.
My mind was consumed by Serenity. We had only just parted, but I was already overwhelmed by the urge to see her again. But she didn't want to return to Vernal territory with me. She wanted to leave alone. The thought of losing track of her again, of not knowing when I might see her next, made Fenrir howl with rage inside me.
But I never expected our next meeting to come so soon.
The warriors I had sent to protect Serenity told me she wanted to see Arian before she left. I agreed.
"Please don't go, Mommy! Don't leave us?—"
I stood in the hallway, secretly listening to the conversation inside. Arian's crying made my hands clench involuntarily. Hewas only four years old. At an age when other children were wrapped in their parents' love, he had to be separated from his mother.
And all of it was my fault.
I was the one making my mate and my child cry!
Footsteps approached the door from inside. Serenity was coming out. I quickly left the hallway before she could catch me listening.
I moved fast, but when she burst out of the room, she still nearly ran into me. The moment she looked up, I saw so many emotions in her eyes, so intense they bordered on grief.
"I'll walk you out." The words escaped before I could stop them.
Serenity seemed numb. She didn't resist. She allowed it. I personally escorted her to the car bound for the train station. I watched as its taillights slowly disappeared into the night, swallowed by darkness. The sudden absence of those lights felt like the dying ember of our love.
I knew this time she was truly walking out of my life. Whatever memories we had shared had finally faded to black-and-white photographs, unable to hold any living warmth.
So when the warriors returned and reported that Serenity hadn't boarded the train, that she had left with the human man named Frank, I simply waved them away in silence.
The relationship between Serenity and me was truly, finally over.
But I made some important decisions.
I wanted to compensate Serenity for all the pain she had suffered. I wanted to give her what she deserved: Arian's custody and half of everything I owned.
When I told Herman my decision, the Beta who had been by my side for years looked more shocked than I had ever seen him. For the first time in ages, he addressed me by name. "Do you understand what this means, Elias? You're the Vernal Alpha. Many of these assets, even in your name, are considered pack property. The board of directors won't agree. Neither will the Elders. And the old Alpha—he cares so much about the heir. He'll never allow this!"
"I don't need their permission or approval," I told him. "This is what I owe her. No matter who objects, I'm doing this."
"This will be incredibly difficult!"
"That's why I need your help."
I held Herman's gaze, not letting him look away. Finally, he raised both hands in surrender. "Fine. Whatever you say. After all, I swore my loyalty to you, not the pack."
I smiled.
For the next month, I barely left my study. The Vernal pack's financial structure was vast and complex. Dividing half of it wasn't easy. Documents piled up on my desk like mountains, each one requiring my signature. Lawyers streamed in and out of the room, arguing over countless clauses and details.
