Chapter 2

02

Why did he think I was still desperate for him?

I finished my water in silence.

Silas looked like he was about to explode, but I didn't give him a chance to speak.

I went to my room and grabbed the jade pendant he had given me years ago.

"I have a husband now. Keeping your things would be inappropriate."

"Since you're here, take it back."

Silas stared at the pendant in shock. Then, he let out a mocking laugh.

"Stop playing hard to get, Elena. It's pathetic."

I shook my head. He was an idiot.

Shae snatched the pendant from his hand.

"Elena, stop joking," she said with a fake concern.

"I know life in Silver Creek is hard. Did you... did you go down a dark path to survive?"

She left the implication hanging, and Silas's face darkened.

"We stopped sending you money years ago. How did you afford those clothes?"

So he admitted he tried to starve me out.

He never once wondered how a lone girl was supposed to survive in the wild.

A maid stepped forward, her eyes wide with fake surprise.

"I've seen that fabric before. A wealthy old businessman in the city bought it for his mistress..."

"Oh my god... Elena, are you someone's side-chick?"

Silas's brow furrowed. He glared at me with pure disgust.

He had always been happy to believe the worst about me.

To him, I was malicious and calculating.

I was the daughter of a legendary General.

Even if I were starving, I would never sell myself.

I slammed the glass onto the table, the sound echoing through the room.

I stared coldly at the gossiping servants.

"Your Alpha is right here, and you're talking trash about me to his face?"

"If you want your tongues cut out, just keep talking. My hunting knife is freshly sharpened."

Then, I turned my gaze to Silas.

"I haven't taken a dime from the Vancrofts in years. You have no right to come here and insult me."

Silas looked slightly guilty, but I didn't let him speak.

"My father died for this country. He was a hero."

"If it weren't for our childhood contract, you think I'd ever look twice at a man like you?"

He wasn't even in my league.

Silas's face turned red. He felt humiliated in front of his people.

"A savage woman like you? No one would want you but me!"

"You're just doing this to make me take you back to the city."

"Since you haven't learned your lesson, you can rot here in Silver Creek!"

It was hilarious. I had my own legs. He couldn't keep me anywhere.

His ego was truly massive.

Seeing us argue, Shae leaned her weak body against Silas.

"It's all my fault..." she whimpered.

I couldn't stand her acting anymore.

I grabbed my bow from the table and fired an arrow before anyone could react.

The arrow whistled past her ear and pinned her hair bun to the wooden pillar behind her.

Her hair fell in a messy heap. She screamed, trembling like a leaf.

"You!" Silas yelled.

I smiled coldly.

"Next time, I won't miss her head."

Silas was stunned by my aggression.

He comforted the sobbing Shae and pointed a finger at me, trembling with rage.

He wanted to scream, but he was clearly afraid I'd put an arrow through him too.

"Fine! Stay here then! Don't you dare show your face in the city!" he barked before retreating.

I looked at the mess in the living room and sighed.

I didn't live here anymore, but I still liked things clean.

A pale, strong hand reached down to pick up the broken glass.

"The Lady of the House just won a battle. You should rest. I'll handle this."

I laughed and pinched his cheek.

"A battle? You're making fun of me now, Malachi?"

Once everything was packed, I stepped into a black armored SUV and headed for the city.