Ashley's POV

After leaving the Alpha Manor, I headed straight to my apartment-the one I'd bought before marrying Brian. Brian knew about the place but had never set foot in it.

There were no gardens here, no crystal chandeliers, and no swarms of servants. Just two simple rooms, a living area, and a kitchen, featuring a window that overlooked the city's neon lights. But it was mine. I no longer had to worry about what Brian wanted for dinner.

I threw myself into the soft sofa, finally able to breathe freely.

After a quick tidy-up, I began preparing dinner for myself. As the pan heated over the flame, I placed a steak inside. Subconsciously, I began timing it, preparing to sear it to medium-well-Brian's favorite. But the moment I realized what I was doing, I froze.

This time, I was going to have it my way: medium-rare, the way I actually liked it.

Just as I was about to enjoy the dinner I cooked for myself, there was a knock at the door.

"Ashley! Open up! It's me!"

Vicki burst in, the sharp smell of disinfectant following her. She hadn't even taken off her white coat.

"Vicki?" I stared at her, surprised. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on shift?"

"That lying bitch!" She threw her Prada bag onto the coffee table with a loud thud. "And Brian-that brainless idiot thinking with his dick!"

She flopped onto the couch, still catching her breath. Seeing my puzzled expression, she quickly explained, "I was worried about you. All afternoon, I kept thinking-how are you holding up all alone? So I jumped in my car as soon as I got off. I was scared you'd... you'd do something stupid... or just suffer quietly by yourself."

Her words made my eyes sting. In this entire world, aside from the child inside me, maybe Vicki was the only person who truly cared about me.

"You idiot," I said softly, "skipping work just for me? What if someone notices?"

"I don't care about that!" Vicki gripped my hand tightly, her voice full of determination. "Ashley, you're my best friend. I can't just sit back and do nothing while you're hurting. Those jerks stomped all over your life! God, I swear, I wouldn't hesitate to take a scalpel to Silvia's two-faced, fake smile!"

Her concern brought a rush of warmth to my heart. "I'm fine." I pointed toward the kitchen. "I just made dinner. Want to join? I can cook another steak for you."

Vicki studied me closely, as if trying to see if I was really okay. "You... seem calmer than I expected."

I shook my head and replied honestly, "I made the logical choice, but you know how it is... emotionally, it's still hard. But time heals everything."

"You deserve so much better, Ashley. A thousand times better than that jerk."

We sat down together at the small dining table, and I cooked her another medium-rare steak. She complimented the simple meal, but I could tell her mind was more on me than the food.

"I know. Once the divorce with Brian is finalized, I'm leaving." I tried my best to stay composed and keep my emotions in check.

Vicki's face was full of worry. "But what's your plan after that? You're alone, and... you've got the baby too. I mean, you can't go back to your uncle's pack right now."

"I'm not alone, Vicki," I interrupted her, looking her straight in the eye. "And I'm not starting from nothing."

Her confused expression told me it was time to come clean. "Do you remember the Rose Gallery?"

Vicki's eyes widened instantly. "Of course! That's the most prestigious art space in the wolf community! They hold the 'Moonlight Salon' every six months, and even Alphas from the farthest territories compete for an invitation. Wait... what does that have to do with you?"

"That gallery belongs to me."

Vicki's mouth dropped open in shock, almost as if she could fit an egg in there. "What? But... Brian never allowed you to-"

"Yeah, he hated it when I put myself out there," I cut her off with a sharp laugh. "He wanted his Luna to be this obedient, flower-arranging, smiling little trophy. So, I used a fake name. All these years, I've been secretly using the gallery's profits to cover up for the pack's financial mess-a result of his ridiculous decisions. But now? I don't have to sacrifice for his outdated, macho nonsense anymore."

I stood up and walked over to the window, looking down at the busy city streets below. "Moonlight Salon, protected under the ancient Truce Accord, is the only place where wolf pack elites can safely exchange information, negotiate in secret, and even forge alliances. And I'm the one running the whole show. Leaving Brian? The only thing I lost was that meaningless title of being his Luna."

Vicki rushed over and threw her arms around me from behind, practically bouncing with excitement. "Oh my god, Ashley! You absolute genius! I knew it! I knew you weren't some helpless little damsel. This is... incredible!"

"Vicki." I placed a hand on my belly, my voice steady and full of resolve. "I'm going to make so much money, enough to make sure my pup grows up in a safe, comfortable, and abundant environment. He'll have nothing but the best. I swear it."

"You will." Vicki rested her chin on my shoulder, her voice soft but full of conviction. "You're going to be an amazing mom."

Just then, her phone rang-it was an emergency call from the hospital. She had to leave right away.

"Don't forget your checkups!" She gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "You're eating for two now, so take care of yourself! And hey, if anything comes up, call me anytime, no matter how late it is!"

After Vicki hurried off, my phone buzzed as well. It was the gallery assistant, Leo, a young, lively beta wolf.

"Good evening, Ms. Rebecca."

Rebecca was the alias I used for work.

His voice was bright and energetic over the line. "Sorry to bother you, but a package arrived for you-no sender info. It seems kind of important. Should I deliver it to the Alpha Manor for you?"

"No need, Leo," I replied immediately. "I'll come by myself. And while I'm at it, could you get started on the planning for the next Moonlight Salon? I've got some new ideas for that."

After hanging up, I changed into a sleek black outfit and drove over to the Rose Gallery.

The gallery, located in the priciest part of the city's financial district, was a striking blend of black steel and glass-modern, understated, but undeniably sophisticated. As I walked through the doors, the staff paused and nodded politely at me.

"Good evening, Ms. Rebecca."

Here, I wasn't someone's ex-wife. I wasn't the worthless one without a wolf spirit. Here, I was the boss.

Leo hurried over and handed me a thick kraft paper envelope. "This is it, ma'am. Feels like documents inside."

I took the mysterious package, and an uneasy feeling gripped my chest. I walked up to my top-floor office and tore the seal open.

What fell out wasn't a contract or papers I expected, but a few thin sheets.

They were hospital test reports.

The moment my eyes landed on the "Patient Name" section, my blood ran cold.

Silvia.

My fingers trembled as I read line by line. Injury assessments, chest CT analysis, immune system evaluations... Every line, every clinical term, every piece of data spelled out one irrefutable truth.

All of Silvia's test results were perfectly normal.

The whole "only six months to live" story, the "too frail to handle the cold" tale...

It was all a lie.

Author's POV

The Bloodmoon Pack

Inside the expansive office, Alpha Hebert stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the city's nightscape.

Behind him, Marcus, his Beta, leaned against the desk. "The package has been delivered to Luna Ashley's hands. Alpha, why not just go to her directly? You've been watching her for so long. You could walk right into that pack and take her back-no one would dare stand in your way."

Hebert didn't turn around. "She's not like other females. She doesn't need any charity. Unless she's in grave danger, I will not show my face."

Marcus shook his head. "If you keep this up, you'll never have her."

Hebert turned, a sharp, lethal smile flickering in his eyes. He walked back to his desk, his fingers rhythmically tapping the surface.

Ashley's image surfaced in his mind-the woman who had been trampled by the pack's gossip yet kept her spine perfectly straight. She had her pride, her secrets, and her own gallery empire. She wasn't a weakling in need of saving; she was a prize worthy of a conquest.

He had known about Silvia's little game for a long time. He was the one who arranged for those lab results to end up in Ashley's hands. He wanted her to see the truth with her own eyes. He wanted her to realize, in her most vulnerable moment, that Brian could never give her the freedom and respect she craved.

Only he could.

He wouldn't appear just yet. He would wait. He would wait for her to be utterly disillusioned with Brian, wait for her to face the pack's pressure alone, and wait for her to realize she needed a truly powerful Alpha. Only then would he appear before her in his most dominant form.

"No," Hebert's voice was resolute. "Soon, she will be mine."

He had seen through Brian's weakness, Silvia's lies, and most of all, through Ashley's proud but lonely heart.

"She will be mine," Hebert repeated. "No matter how long it takes, I will make her belong to me willingly. In the entire East Coast, no one can snatch her from my grasp."

Outside, the night grew darker, stretching toward the direction of Ashley's apartment. A cold, predatory curve pulled at the corner of his lips.

Soon, everything would go exactly according to his plan.

Ashley's POV

Silvia faked her health issues to play the victim.

And the idiotic, arrogant Alpha-my ex-husband-willingly became her sharpest weapon, discarding me without hesitation.

My stomach churned violently, but this time, it wasn't because of pregnancy. No, it was pure, uncontrollable disgust. Brian, the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, could have uncovered the truth in countless ways if he cared to.

But he didn't. He didn't even doubt her for a second. He swallowed her lies whole because he wanted to believe them. Because those lies handed him the perfect excuse to dump me and rekindle his new flame.

I was deceived. My husband, my marriage, the three years of effort and pain I endured-everything was built on a ridiculous lie. That woman, with her fake tears and fragile act, not only stole my husband but also turned me into the laughingstock of the entire pack.

I bent down, picking up the papers one by one. I didn't rip them apart. Instead, I carefully placed them back into the brown envelope.

Why expose her?

No.

I'm not going to do it. Brian deserves this. The best punishment for him is to let him stay deep in those lies, give everything for her, and then finally discover the truth. He should understand what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you thought you loved.

I locked the file folder in the safe, taking a deep breath to force myself to calm down. Walking over to my desk, I pressed the intercom button.

"Leo, come in. We need to go over the Moonlight Salon plans."

A few seconds later, my assistant Leo knocked and stepped in. Full of energy and highly capable, he handed me a document. "Ms. Rebecca," he said, placing it in front of me, "here's the initial layout and guest list."

I took the folder, but my mind was elsewhere. Then, suddenly, Leo's phone rang, its sharp tone cutting through the silence. He glanced at the caller ID, hesitation flashing across his face.

"Ma'am, it's Alpha Brian."

My heart clenched, tightening painfully in my chest.

"Answer it," I said, my tone calm and devoid of any emotion.

Leo hit the speaker button. "Good evening, Alpha Brian," he greeted politely.

"I need your assistance," Brian's deep, commanding voice came through the line with that undeniable air of authority. "I want one of my wife's paintings to be showcased at the upcoming Moonlight Salon."

My wife.

For just a second, my breath caught in my throat.

He still remembers that I love painting? That passion he once dismissed as a "pointless hobby," the one I buried deep in my heart-he remembers? A faint, almost laughable flicker of warmth stirred in my chest for half a second.

"She's always loved painting," Brian's voice continued, carrying an uncharacteristic trace of gentleness. "Her work is incredibly talented."

But the next moment, that flicker was extinguished completely, doused by a bucket of ice-cold water.

Because I heard Silvia's frail yet overdone voice: "Oh, Brian, don't say that, you're making me blush..."

So, the "wife" he spoke of was Silvia. The "incredibly talented work" he admired belonged to another woman.

Leo, my assistant, responded with his usual professional tone, "I'm sorry, Alpha. All the submissions for this salon were finalized two weeks ago. If you're interested, you can apply for the next selection round."

"The next one?" Brian's voice chilled instantly, dripping with arrogance, as though he couldn't believe someone dared to refuse him. "Do you know who you're talking to?"

"Brian, don't be like this..." Silvia's voice came in right on cue, trembling as if she might break into sobs at any moment. "I... I might not make it to the next one... I just wanted... wanted to leave something behind before I go. Please, sir, just think of it as granting a dying woman's final wish, will you?"

What a performance. The Oscars seriously owe her a trophy.

Leo turned to me helplessly, his eyes filled with silent pleading for guidance.

I took the phone from his hand, walked to the window, and lowered my voice, speaking in that cold and distant tone that belonged to "Rebecca": "Miss, we don't know you. The gallery has no obligation to fulfill the last wishes of a stranger. Rules are rules."

There was a brief silence on the other end, and then Brian's anger erupted. "You're absolutely heartless! All she wants is to showcase one painting! Can't you have even a shred of compassion?!"

"Compassion isn't a valid reason to break the rules, Alpha," I replied, completely unfazed.

I had the final say in this matter, and I simply didn't want her painting displayed.

"I command you!" Brian's Alpha authority came through the phone, his voice carrying that familiar dominance, trying to force me to comply. "Give her a spot now!"

I let out a short, derisive laugh, dripping with disdain. "Let me remind you, Alpha Brian. The Rose Gallery, while under the wolf alliance, isn't part of Blackwood Pack. You have no authority to order me around."

And with that, I ended the call.

The world fell into silence. I leaned against the icy glass window, and memories came rushing back like a flood.

I remembered, back then, when I shyly told him I loved painting. He'd barely reacted, just frowned a little and said, "You're the Luna now. Shouldn't you focus on more meaningful things?"

From that day forward, I never picked up a paintbrush again. The grand Alpha Manor had a greenhouse, a gym, a home theater-but not a single space that could be called my studio.

And now, for Silvia, this woman who only knew how to disguise herself with lies and tears, he, the Alpha, had set aside his pride to plead with a "stranger."

The difference between love and indifference could really be that stark, that cruel.

My chest felt like it was being crushed by an invisible hand, the pain so sharp I could hardly breathe. I let out a bitter laugh. This was the man I had loved all these years.

"Ms. Rebecca?" Leo finally broke the silence cautiously. "Alpha Brian sent a message... He said, no matter what, he hopes you'll take a look at his wife's artwork."

Attached to the message was an image.

I was ready to delete it without a second thought, but against all reason, I clicked on it.

I froze.

The moment I saw the painting, I changed my mind.

I would accept Silvia's work for public display.

My fingertips slid across the cold screen of my phone.

The painting Brian sent me-it was nothing more than a disgusting copy.

The original piece? My artwork from three years ago, one I'd never shown anyone. A piece born from heartbreak. I have no clue how Silvia found out about it, but the painting she's now calling hers is identical to mine.

Three years ago, one night. Brian and I had agreed to have dinner together. I waited, full of hope, counting down the minutes until he'd come back.

But he didn't. I waited from day to night, and he never showed up. I ended up standing alone at the cliff behind the Blackwood Pack manor, the moonlight stretching my shadow long and thin. It wasn't until later I found out he'd been chasing after his first love-chasing a lie because the news he got that day wasn't even real.

That moment wrecked me. I was completely shattered. So, I went back to my room and poured all that loneliness and despair onto a canvas.

Now, Silvia's taken my pain and dressed it up as if it's her own masterpiece.

No, not exactly the same.

My painting, set where moonlight met the edge of the forest, held a small, curled-up wolf hidden in a deep, almost black shade of blue. That wolf was me-a soul without a wolf spirit, longing for a place to belong. But Silvia's painting? None of that. Hers was just an empty imitation, all surface-level moonlight and a wolf, no soul at all. She had no clue what the painting really meant. She wasn't anything more than a lousy thief-first stealing my husband, and now trying to steal my work.

"Ms. Rebecca?" Leo's voice pulled me from those cold memories.

His face showed a mix of confusion and hesitation. "Are we really... going to say no to Alpha Brian? He's the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. Our gallery might be independent, but openly offending him..."

"No." I turned off my phone, done looking at that sham of a painting. "We're not saying no."

Leo's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean..."

"Reply to him," I said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "tell him the Rose Gallery would be honored to showcase his wife's masterpiece. The painting can be part of the exhibit.

"Not only that-give it the best spot. Right at the entrance, under the best lighting. Make sure it's the first thing every guest sees when they walk in."

Leo's face was full of questions, but he didn't press further. He simply nodded and said, "Understood, ma'am. I'll take care of it right away."

"Wait a second." I stopped him, the smile on my lips growing wider. "And one more thing-get that painting I did three years ago, 'The Waiting,' from my private collection. I'll be unveiling it myself."

Leo froze for a moment, his entire body tensing. Then, in an instant, his confused look transformed into one of pure admiration and excitement. "Got it, Ms. Rebecca."

Perfect.

Silvia, didn't you want to leave your mark on this world? Didn't you want to show off your "talent" and "kindness" in front of all the elite wolves?

Fine. I'll make it happen for you.

I'll let you stand at the very top, and then I'll be the one to push you off.

I could almost picture it now-the priceless look on her face when everything falls apart.

After Leo left, silence returned to the office. I poured myself a glass of water. The icy liquid slid down my throat, but it did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.

Then, my phone buzzed again. The name flashing on the screen was one I could recognize in my sleep.

Brian.

I considered ignoring it entirely, but instead of calling, he'd sent a message. That familiar, commanding tone of his, like nothing had ever changed between us.

"My grandmother is visiting the estate this weekend. She doesn't know about our divorce yet. You need to organize the family dinner. This is what you're supposed to do as Luna. Don't even think about running away from it."

My... Luna... duties?

A laugh, sharp and laced with disbelief, surged up from my chest before I could stop it.

I laughed out loud. The sound echoed in the empty office, cold and cutting.

He threw me out of our bedroom like garbage, dumped my belongings on the lawn for everyone to trample on. He choked me, crushed me with that Alpha dominance of his-all because of another woman. He humiliated me.

This man. His selfishness and arrogance are unreal.

My fingers hovered over the screen, countless biting, brutal words swirling in my mind, ready to pierce through him like a sharp blade. But in the end, not a single one made it to the text.

Ignore him! I have to learn how to ignore him, like he's nothing.