Chapter 4

I forced down the burning anger in my chest and spoke coldly. "Judging by your tone, sounds like you want me to divorce your Alpha Kennard, huh?"

Beta Joanna curled her lips into a smug smile. "Well, since you're finally being self-aware, I won't bother pretending anymore." She crossed her arms. "That's right—I think I'm a far better fit to be Alpha Kennard's Luna than you."

I stared at her blankly and said each word with deliberate calm: "Go on. Then what?"

Beta Joanna's nostrils flared. "Alpha Kennard is going to divorce you!"

I froze for a second before turning to face my so-called mate. "She telling the truth? You really plan to divorce me? Break our bond?"

Alpha Kennard raised an eyebrow, looking at me like I was something stuck to the bottom of his shoe. "Joanna just said exactly what I've been dying to say." He straightened his suit and gestured around the room. "And since all the Alphas from the packs are gathered here today, they can be my witnesses."

His voice rang out with a finality . "I, Kennard Rios, reject you, Queenie Bennett, as my mate!"

Pain lanced through my chest, the bond shredding like a severed lifeline. My wolf howled in agony, but I locked my knees, refusing to crumble. I wouldn't give this crowd the satisfaction.

My voice was flat, emotionless. "I, Queenie Bennett, accept your rejection."

As soon as the words left my mouth, the foolish man standing before me pulled a divorce agreement from his pocket and tossed it onto the auction table.

"Queenie, even though we were fated mates, I never liked you. Not even once. Being matched with you felt like a curse from the Moon Goddess."

I studied him for a moment, then let out a long sigh. "Kennard… looks like you came prepared, didn't you?"

Kennard nodded without a trace of shame. "Damn right I did. I've been wanting to divorce you every single day."

"I wanted it before, I want it now, and I'll still want it tomorrow."

As soon as he said that, Joanna started clapping wildly onstage, her laughter ringing through the room. The rest of the guests quickly joined in with mocking cheers, their wolves baring their teeth in amusement.

I glanced around, my lips curling at the edges. "Well, since the mood is already so festive, I guess I'd look bad if I refused."

"Alright then, let's go with your plan. I agree to the divorce. However…"

Before I could finish, Kennard cut me off, clearly overjoyed at my compliance. "Great! Now we're getting somewhere." He smirked, his fangs flashing. "Name your price, Queenie. Whatever you want, I'll try to meet it."

I waved him off with a pointed look. "Kennard, hold your horses. We'll talk money in a bit."

His smirk faltered. "What do you mean?"

"I may have agreed to divorce you, but this auction isn't over yet." I ran a finger over the rim of my champagne glass. "I just placed a bid of twenty million and one. Alpha Kennard, are you going to keep going?"

Kennard's jaw clenched. His pride as an Alpha—no, as a man—wouldn't let him back down so easily.

"Queenie, I'm warning you—don't mistake my patience for weakness."

I raised an eyebrow at him, my voice laced with amusement. "What's wrong? The mighty Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack can't even handle a little twenty million?"

That did it. He snapped right then and there.

"Fine! Let's see how long you can keep running your mouth!" He slammed his hand down on the table. "Thirty million!"

I didn't even blink. "Thirty million… and one."

Kennard's face darkened. "Fifty million!"

I sipped my champagne, dragging out the moment just to watch him squirm. Then, in the calmest tone I could muster, I spoke.

"Alpha Kennard, since we're all here for charity tonight, why don't we just go all in?" I leaned in slightly, my smile razor-sharp. "I bid… one hundred million."

The room erupted into chaos.

Sure, most of the wolves here were worth over a hundred million—but having a net worth and pulling out that kind of cash on the spot? Two very different things.

Kennard's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. His fists clenched at his sides, his face an interesting shade of red. He wanted to argue, but he knew he couldn't.

That's when Joanna, who had been silent for far too long, finally jumped in.

"You little tramp! This is an auction, not a game of pretend numbers." She shoved the auctioneer aside, her eyes blazing. "Anyone can shout a hundred million. Can you actually pay up?"

Kennard's confidence flickered back to life. "Joanna's right. Why should I keep bidding if you're just throwing out empty numbers?" He let out a smug chuckle. "Queenie, don't say I didn't warn you—if you can't pay up later, you'll be facing legal consequences."

Immediately after, Joanna raised the mic high, rallying the crowd against me.

I took a step forward, my voice smooth as silk. "Finally, after all that noise, you're finally asking the right question." I locked eyes with Joanna and Kennard, my smirk widening. "Now, let's see if you can handle the answer."