Seraphina's POV

The second I pulled into the driveway, it hit me-there's nothing in this Alpha estate that actually belongs to me. Not a single damn thing.

I've got no clue where I'll be in 29 days, but right now? I've got to get out of here. Get away from Marcus. The only thing I'm taking with me is my dignity-probably the only thing I've got left.

I was zipping up my suitcase when Marcus barged into the room. His tall frame immediately took over the space, like he owned it-like he still owned me.

He came up to me like nothing had happened, leaning in to kiss the side of my neck. And damn that bond-it still made my spine tingle. A small gasp slipped out before I could stop it.

He got bolder, sliding one hand beneath my bra and shoving it aside like he had every right to. His fingers found my nipple, and before I knew it, my legs were jelly. Part of me wanted to lean in, to just lose myself in him-

Then his phone rang.

That stupid ringtone snapped me right out of it. I shoved him away.

"Seraphina? What the hell?!" Marcus barked, his tone all fire and fury. Seriously?

I stared him down, heart slamming in my chest, blood boiling. I despised how the mark still let him get to me. I needed out-like yesterday.

"I'm leaving," I said, steadying my breath. "Marcus, I want a divorce."

Crash!

The word hit him like a bomb. Behind me, the glass cabinet exploded, shards scattering across the hardwood like glittering confetti of destruction.

Alpha Marcus was standing there, unhinged, his fist still clenched from the blow. A pissed-off predator in human skin.

Bits of glass landed near my feet, a couple strands even tangled in my hair, but I didn't flinch.

My eyes didn't even flick toward him-instead, they fixed on the gaping hole he'd left in the cabinet. Fitting. That shattered mess? That was us.

"Divorce?" His voice turned cold, thick with command-Alpha energy rolling off him like heat waves. "Say that again, Seraphina."

I didn't blink. Didn't hesitate.

"I said, I want a divorce. It's over." My voice was calm. Clear.

He gave a low, scornful laugh. "All because of Maria? You've got to be kidding me. Seraphina, she's a business associate. You're blowing this up for nothing."

Business associate? I almost laughed. What was that supposed to be-a new euphemism for banging someone in the backseat of your Bentley?

"Don't you dare insult my intelligence, Marcus!" I spat, my voice low but trembling with rage. "I may be human. I may be weak to you. But I will never-never-tolerate betrayal."

Marcus stepped closer, eyes turning red like some predator ready to pounce. "Where'd you suddenly get all this guts from, Seraphina? You're just a fragile human. Everything you have, I gave to you! Without me, you'd probably still be scrubbing dishes in some diner back in the human town. That kind of life-you really think it's worth leaving me for?"

He grabbed my chin, jerking my face up to meet his. Those amber eyes I used to lose myself in-they were nothing but cold now, sharp with control.

Every word he spat was a needle straight to my chest. It hurt. That kind of deep, gnawing pain, like something crawling under my skin and chewing on my bones.

Damn it.

Of course he thought I could never leave. Like some pampered bird in a golden cage, too scared to fly.

Too bad he didn't know this bird picked the lock a long time ago. Just thinking about the signed divorce papers-that little trick I pulled-sent a jolt of satisfaction down my spine. A bitter smirk tugged at my lips before I could stop it.

He caught it. He knew me too well to miss that look. His eyes narrowed, voice hard. "What the hell did you do behind my back?"

"Why so shaken, Marcus? Didn't you say I'm powerless? That I'm nothing?" I glared at him, refusing to look away.

In a flash, his hand clamped around my throat, slamming me back against the busted cabinet door. Sharp pieces of glass dug into my skin, but the sting barely registered. All I could feel was the choking pressure stealing the air from my lungs, forcing me to meet those fire-filled eyes.

"I don't care what tricks you've pulled. I will never let you break the matebond, you hear me? You're mine, Seraphina. You always will be."

I struggled, slapping at his arms, pushing with everything I had. I wasn't going down like this. Not now. Just then, his phone rang-Maria's ringtone.

His grip twitched, loosening slightly. He shot me a warning look, then stepped away to the balcony to answer.

"Hey, baby. What's going on?" His voice was all syrupy sweet, the kind that used to be mine.

I couldn't catch the exact words, but that sickeningly soft tone? Hard to miss.

"Don't cry... I'm on my way... Be good."

Leaning against the shattered cabinet, I felt every shard under me, but it hurt less than whatever the hell was going on in my chest. All that comfort, that concern-it was hers now.

He kept murmuring into the phone, low and coaxing. Then he hung up without so much as a glance at me, straightening his wrinkled collar like I wasn't even there.

"Pack business. You clearly need some space to sort out your mess of a mind. I won't be home for a few days."

The door slammed behind him, taking his scent with it.

And I couldn't hold it in anymore. I slid down the wall, breathing in sharp bursts.

For a second, I'd really thought he might kill me. I still didn't get why he was clinging to the bond. He already had Maria. She seemed like a better fit for his luna anyway.

She came from a shiny pedigree and was even an alpha wolf-while I was just a plain human.

Sure, I was good at my job, no doubt, but compared to Maria and her mountains of cash, I might as well be roadkill.

As a werewolf, I understood how powerful the bond was between mates. Breaking it messed with your head and heart in ways only the Moon Goddess could've dreamed up-but Marcus was an alpha. He could take the hit. So why couldn't he just let me go?

He was the one who crushed our bond. I wasn't buying it for a second that he still had feelings for me.

If he dared whisper the word "love," I swear, I'd drive a knife straight through his cheating heart.

I stood up, flipped open my laptop, and started browsing apartments near Moonlight Bay Area. Then I dragged out my biggest suitcase and got to packing.

My stuff? In this massive, suffocating mansion? Barely anything actually belonged to me.

Every gift he'd ever given-from the high-end jewelry to limited edition heels, designer bags, the ridiculous overpriced birthday or anniversary crap-I stuffed everything into that suitcase. All of it was going. Selling it all was the plan.

When I picked up that velvet box, the one with the wedding ring he'd designed himself, my hands couldn't stop shaking just a little.

Inside, it read: Marcus & Sera.

I really used to believe that actually meant something. Like, forever.

Now it just felt like carving "I love you" into sand right before a wave washed it away.

I tossed the ring into the suitcase and slammed it shut. That sound? That was me sealing off whatever tiny spark of him I had left.

Of course, Marcus didn't come home that night. "Cool off a bit," he said. All he meant was "I've got a night booked with that skank."

First thing I did was toss every photo of us into the fire. Burned all of it.

*****

A few days later, my phone buzzed. Margaret. Her voice always had that cold, metallic chill to it-like a silver dagger dipped in ice. She "invited" me to the family estate to sign some so-called "updated agreement."

"Sure," I replied, keeping it cool.

The Grimhilde estate sat up on Silver Peak Mountain like some brooding beast watching over the whole of Moonlight Forest.

My Maserati gave up halfway up the hill. Just died on me. I didn't even bother calling a tow truck. Locked the doors, shrugged, and started walking up that stupid winding private road. Thank god I wasn't wearing heels. I just hoped I'd actually make it without tripping or breaking my neck.

I hardly ever came to this place-why would I? Margaret and I never exactly exchanged friendship bracelets. She wouldn't invite me for afternoon tea.

But the crisis was over, I was out of the family picture, Marcus and I were seconds from breaking up-maybe she just wanted a friendly farewell.

That thought made me relax a little. Until I stepped into the main hall... and saw the place decked out like some over-the-top ballroom.

And just like that, I knew-Margaret had her own damn plans for this meeting.

Seraphina's POV

What a beautiful scene-my 'faithful' mate, who was supposedly on a business trip to Los Angeles, magically showing up here in pack territory instead.

And guess who he's with? Maria, his so-called "business partner," practically glued to his side in a silver dress so tight it could've been painted on. She looked like some clingy mermaid, all over him.

He was whispering something into her ear, making her laugh like a giddy teenager. The hand with that flashy diamond bracelet he gave her? Resting way too comfortably on his chest.

The bond mark on the back of my neck, the one linking us as fated mates, suddenly burned like hell-like someone just pressed a red-hot brand right against my nerves, trying to scorch the pain into my bones.

Margaret? That woman's the definition of petty. There's no way she'd let me slip out of here without trying to humiliate me.

I let out a cold chuckle and walked straight toward Marcus.

"Well, Alpha Marcus," I said, loud enough for the both of them to turn and look, "back already? That LA trip of yours sure ended fast." My tone was dripping with sarcasm.

His handsome face showed a flicker of panic, quickly masked by his usual arrogance.

And right on cue, Margaret appeared like she was floating on air, smug as ever. She looped her arm through Maria's like she'd just won something shiny and turned to me with her best 'I'm being polite but really I'm showing off' voice.

"Oh, Seraphina, you're here," she said sweetly. "This is Maria, daughter of the Sunfang Pack Alpha. One of our most valuable allies."

Then, she turned and gave Maria this warm smile. "Maria, this is Seraphina, a... project manager at Marcus's company. I asked her to come because I wanted to give her some souvenirs from my last trip."

Project manager. Really? With that one little line, she erased my Luna status and reduced me to just some random employee.

Our bond ceremony had been public-everyone knew I was his Luna. But here she was, trying to paint a picture where I meant nothing, where even Maria could feel safe ignoring me.

Maria didn't even bother to shake my hand. She just flashed this fake society-girl smile. "Oh, I've seen her before," she said lazily. "Last week, actually-she sort of ran into us while we were... hanging out in Marcus's car."

"What? Sera, seriously? Why would you do that? Are you crazy?" Margaret snapped.

"Yeah, totally unhinged," I said, locking eyes with Marcus and smirking. "Might just bite everyone, you'd better be careful. Now, about those souvenirs, I'm waiting."

Marcus stood there like a damn statue, way too pretty and way too silent-like he thought I was bluffing and wouldn't actually stir up trouble.

Just a human in this wolf world, what could I possibly do?

Oh, he'd soon find out.

Margaret beamed like she'd just scored a win. "Marcus, Maria, go ahead and keep dancing," she said smugly. "Seraphina, why don't you help me serve tea to our guests?" She turned to me, feigning innocence. "Sound good?"

"Of course," I replied with a fake smile. "More than happy to."

A server suddenly handed me a tray. I noticed Maria and Marcus's glasses were empty, so I happily added a little something special to their tea-just a quick splash of my own spit.

Then I glided over to them. "Miss Maria, dancing must be exhausting. Thought you could use something strong to perk you up." She took the cup with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Alpha Marcus, can I get you anything?" I turned toward him.

"Marcus, I think you should try this. I just had a sip and it actually tastes better than anything I've had before-it's kinda salty... You've got to give it a shot," Maria chirped, clearly pleased with herself.

Marcus hesitated for a second, then took the cup. The moment he had a sip, I could literally feel his eyes burning into me like he'd just realized something.

I grabbed the tray and made a quick exit.

Just as expected, two figures gracefully stepped in and blocked my way.

"Oh wow, isn't this Seraphina?"

Clarissa and Bethany. Classic noble she-wolves. Ever since I became Marcus's mate, they've never stopped throwing shade at me.

Clarissa's mated to the pack's Gamma, and Bethany's with the elder's son. They're always glued together like a pair of vultures that live for other people's misery.

Clarissa fake-gasped and covered her mouth. "Darling, that look... so unique. For a second I thought you were part of the cleaning crew."

She didn't have to raise her voice-just loud enough for the people nearby to hear. The low chuckles that followed felt like tiny needles jabbing at my skin.

Bethany jumped right in, sweet smile as sharp as ever. "Clarissa, come on. Be nice. I mean, Marcus never actually brought her to any proper event before, did he? Maybe she just never learned how our pack handles these things. Honestly, he probably thinks bringing her out is... kind of embarrassing."

Clarissa looked a bit let down by my calm expression and decided to go for the kill. She gave a faux-sympathetic sigh and leaned in closer.

"Honestly, those fated mate bonds really mess people up, huh? Forcing our incredible Alpha to be tied to someone so... beneath his status. But you know, looking over there," she nodded toward Marcus and Maria, "he finally seems to be waking up. Maria's the real deal-Sunfang Pack, classy, noble... just perfect Luna material, don't you think?"

I finally looked up, just calmly watching them like they were two overcaffeinated monkeys trying to perform Shakespeare.

The way I stayed chill definitely threw them off. Clarissa's staged smile twitched for a second.

"Clarissa,"

My voice was soft but it cut through the noise like ice dropping into boiling oil. "You look... anxious today."

Her smile froze. "Sorry, what?"

"I said," I leaned closer, voice dripping with sugar and venom, "your makeup's running. Crying again? Can't blame you-Leo's been busy playing lapdog to that new dancer at Moonshade. You know, the one with the kind of rack that makes grown wolves drool."

Clarissa turned sheet white. Her perfect smile completely crumbled.

Her lips moved but no words came out. The giggling she-wolves nearby suddenly found better things to look at.

I didn't even pause. My eyes shifted to Bethany next.

"And you, Bethany," I gave her a smile and watched the shock spread on her face, "about that Crescent Tech investment your dad made last quarter-remember who shot it down? That would be me. Guess he forgot to tell you it tanked so bad your family just lost profits for the next three years. That necklace on your neck? Might want to check the resale value soon."

Bethany flinched, instinctively clutching her necklace as fear overtook her expression.

She thought her family's secrets were well buried, but as someone running the core operations of Marcus's company, I'd seen way too many dirty transactions at the top level of the tribe. Not much could get past me.

I took a step forward, narrowing the distance between us, and said flatly, "So, ladies, while you're all busy judging my outfit, I've been cleaning up the messes your husbands left behind to keep the company running, just so they can keep funding your extravagant, empty lives."

A cold, victorious smirk tugged at my lips.

"Frankly, you should be thanking me instead of barking like stray dogs. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a billion-dollar deal to finalize. Unlike you, I don't rely on a man's last name to define my worth-I earn it."

Marcus finally looked over, and his face changed-whatever smugness he just had vanished into something more guarded.

He reflexively tried to step away from Maria, but she only clung tighter, like ivy wrapping around a tree.

In Maria's eyes flashed a flicker of hatred, but it was quickly buried under that perfect, pitiful mask she wore so well.

Letting go of Marcus, she glided toward me, every step measured like she'd rehearsed it in front of a mirror.

She stopped just close enough-friendly, but still keeping that high-society distance.

"Oh, Seraphina," she cooed, sweet enough to give cavities. "Are you okay? They went way too far just now."

As she lifted her hand to touch me, I took a small step back, dodging her gentle act.

"I'm fine," I said. "But seriously, thank you for your concern, Miss Maria. You've done so much for us."

"What?" Maria blinked, confused.

I gave her my best sorority bitch smile-the one that says "I'm smiling while mentally setting you on fire."

"Oh, you're such a gem-taking care of my husband and still finding time to check on his legally wedded wife."

Her face stiffened. I leaned in, voice dripping saccharine.

"Between being his arm candy and his personal kink consultant on 'business trips,' I'm amazed you even have time to breathe. But hey, someone's gotta keep him leashed and gagged, right?"

Gasping sounds rippled through the crowd.

Maria's face turned an ugly shade of red. "You... You're making that up!"

"Oh, really? That kind of up-close 'attentiveness' must be exhausting," I said, each word laced with poison. "So I figured you deserved a little something for the trouble. Something real."

I opened my clutch and, under everyone's stunned eyes, calmly pulled out a checkbook and pen.

"So, Miss Maria," I said, holding the checkbook in my palm, "what's your service worth? Name your price. A hundred grand? A mil? Or do you charge by the hour?"

And then, adding sweetly, "Oh, and if you're working in the car, surely there's a cramped-quarters fee, right? That's gotta be extra."

You could hear a pin drop in the ballroom.

One second. Two.

And then someone cracked.

"Pfft-"

That was all it took. Suddenly, loud laughter burst through the hall like a wave smashing a dam. The she-wolves doubled over, cackling, shooting Maria outright disgusted looks.

"Enough!"

Marcus's furious roar exploded beside me.

Seraphina's POV

Marcus's roar shut everyone up instantly. He stormed through the crowd and yanked me by the arm with a grip that felt like it might snap my bones.

"Come with me," he gritted out between clenched teeth.

He dragged me off, dead silence following in our wake, and pulled me into an empty room nearby. The door slammed behind us with a bang from his boot.

He let go of me-but only to spin around and shove me up against the door. His tall frame boxed me in completely, his shadow swallowing me whole.

His amber eyes had turned bloody red, and the fury swirling inside them was somehow even more terrifying than when he shifted.

"What the hell were you thinking, Seraphina?" His voice trembled with barely controlled rage. He was trying to sound calm, but the anger bleeding through every word gave him away. "On my turf, in front of the entire tribe-you humiliate me and my guest?"

"Your guest?" I scoffed, staring him right in the eyes without a hint of fear. "Oh, Marcus, you mean that woman squirming around in the backseat of your Bentley like some desperate mutt in heat? Funny, most people just call that a mistress. Or, if we're being blunt-"

"Shut up!" he snapped, seizing my jaw in one hand, forcing my head up. The strength behind that grip was no joke-it felt like my bones might crack under the pressure.

"Maria has nothing to do with you," he growled. "Your only job is to play the perfect Luna-quiet and presentable."

"I was already doing that," I choked out, struggling to speak with his hand on my throat. "You and your mother dragged me into this circus to watch you perform. And now you want to act like I'm the one on trial? Really, Marcus? Where's your almighty Alpha judgment now?"

"What?!" He looked genuinely stunned for a second, eyes blinking in confusion. But then they softened. "If you leave now, I promise my mother won't bother you again. I'll make sure of it."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said flatly. They thought they could humiliate me, then guilt me into pretending like none of it happened? Not a chance.

"What do you want, then?" Marcus scoffed. "Storming in like some lunatic, mad I didn't take you to the ball?"

I shook off his grip and stared him down. "Marcus, please. I couldn't care less whose bed you crawl into these days. I just want to know-why won't you cut the bond with me already? You could be with your little wolf girl without sneaking around."

That question made his face darken in an instant. "I've already answered that," he snapped. "You were a gift from the Moon Goddess. You're my mate-I'm not breaking that sacred bond."

"Sacred?" I let out a short, cold laugh that burned in my chest. "Did that word even cross your mind when you were fucking another woman?"

"That's enough, Seraphina!" His face turned crimson as he growled low with rage. "I'm done playing nice. If you dare bring this up again, I swear I'll throw your aging parents out of Crescent Pack without a second thought!"

My blood ran cold.

It felt like ice flooded every vein, the chill crawling up my spine, far more lethal than any silver blade.

He knew-he always knew. My parents were the only soft spot I had. Just ordinary werewolves in the tribe with no status, no strength. Without the tribe's shelter, they wouldn't make it through a single winter.

"You're a real piece of work, Marcus," I said, my voice shaking-not from fear, but from pure disappointment. In him. In myself. How did I ever fall for someone like this?

"I won't deny it if you're trying to push me," he said, eyes gleaming cruelly. "But if you test me, you'll get to watch your parents get torn apart by thugs."

Looking at his annoyingly handsome face, twisted with menace, my chest tightened like something invisible was squeezing my heart. I had thought he was just arrogant, maybe a player. But this... this was pure cruelty.

He wasn't just threatening me; he was straight-up using my parents' lives to force me to submit.

And judging by the way his lips twitched slightly upward, he was enjoying every second of my reaction. He lowered his tone, lacing it with a disturbingly fake gentleness.

"I love you, Seraphina. I just... screwed up like any alpha might. Stay. Stay and be my Luna, and I promise I'll be more careful moving forward. I won't even care what you do outside these walls-as long as you stay where I can see you. I want you to love me... like you used to."

He said he wanted me to love him.

While using my parents' lives to blackmail me. While tearing me apart. And still, with a straight face, he said he loved me.

This wasn't love. This was possession. He didn't want a partner-he wanted someone who'd bend to his every whim. He wanted the soul-deep connection of fated mates while still enjoying all the physical perks the outside world could offer. He wanted it all.

That rage-hot, destructive, unstoppable-erupted from deep inside me, burning every last thread of patience I had left.

Smack!

The slap rang out, loud and clear, as I poured every ounce of strength into it and slammed it right across his too-perfect face.

The whole world just... froze. Everything went dead silent in that moment.