Mason

I couldn't stop pacing.

Maya had asked for a divorce. Twice. During intimate moments, no less, like she'd been waiting for the perfect time to humiliate me.

Had she been this miserable the whole time? Was she just waiting for an excuse to escape?

The questions circled my brain like vultures.

I left the packhouse and headed to the smaller residential building on the property. I needed space from both Maya and Seraphina. Needed to think without either of them clouding my judgment.

But thinking was impossible.

I lay awake all night, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing through everything that had happened. Seraphina's return. The baby. Maya's accusations. The divorce papers I'd shoved at her like a weapon.

By morning, guilt was eating me alive.

I'd been too harsh. Too quick to judge. Deep down, I knew Maya wasn't capable of pushing someone down the stairs. It didn't match anything I knew about her.

I needed to apologize. To talk this through like adults.

But first, I had to deal with Seraphina.

I found her in the guest room, surrounded by maids fussing over her and the baby. She dismissed them with a wave when she saw me.

"Mason, I'm rather surprised it took you this long to visit your beloved and the mother of your child. But I heard about the quarrel with Maya, so I suppose it's forgivable," she purred, her movements laced with subtle attempts at seduction.

"How are you feeling?" I sat on the couch across from her, deliberately keeping distance between us.

"I'd feel better if you came closer." Her voice dropped, taking on that seductive tone I used to love.

Used to.

Now it just made me uncomfortable.

She moved toward me. I held up a hand to stop her.

"Seraphina, this can't happen. I'm married. Whatever we had before... it's over."

Her face went from sultry to shocked in half a second.

"What are you talking about? That marriage is about to end anyway. Who cares?"

"My marriage isn't ending, Seraphina," I said firmly. "I'm not divorcing Maya. I don't want to and I don't think I ever would either. So, she's still your Luna, and you need to respect that."

Even as I said it, I wasn't sure where the words were coming from. 

Even I couldn't fully understand my own actions. For months, I had entertained thoughts of divorcing Maya, feeling trapped in a marriage forced upon me by my father. Yet, when the opportunity presented itself, I hesitated. 

What was I even doing?

"What? What the fuck are you saying? What about me?" Seraphina's voice rose. "What about our son? Why wouldn't you divorce her now that your father's gone?"

I didn't have a good answer. I didn't even understand my own actions.

Then Seraphina's eyes went wide.

"Oh my God." Her voice dropped to a horrified whisper. "You fell in love with her? You fell in love with Maya."

The accusation hit me like a freight train.

"You... you betrayed me," she continued, her voice shaking. "You betrayed everything we had. How could you fall for that little piece of-"

"Don't." My voice came out sharp as a blade. "Don't you dare disrespect the Luna."

Seraphina looked like I'd struck her.

"Look, Sera." I rubbed my face, suddenly exhausted. "I'll make this right somehow. But you have to accept that Maya is my mate and the rightful Luna. That won't change, nothing you do or say will change it."

"Also, I'll like to apologize for what happened between you two. I'm sure Maya didn't mean to push you. Maybe you just tripped and thought-"

"Are you making excuses for her right now?" Seraphina's laugh was sharp and painful. "For hurting me?"

Guilt twisted in my gut, but I pushed forward.

"I'm sorry for all of this. I'll accept the baby after we do a paternity test, but that's all. We're not getting back together, Sera. I'm sorry if that feels so unfair."

I left her crying.

The relief that washed over me was immediate and overwhelming. I practically ran to my room, ready to fix things with Maya. Ready to apologize for my cruel words and cold treatment over the past months.

Ready to finally start over.

But when I burst through the door, the room was empty.

My heart dropped.

I ran to the Luna's wing. Also empty.

"Flora!" I grabbed Maya's personal maid by the shoulders. "Where's the Luna?"

"She... she left early this morning, Alpha." Flora's voice trembled. "She told me not to follow her. I haven't seen her since, and she's not answering her phone."

No.

No, no, no.

I ran back to my room and rifled through the papers on my desk.

There. The divorce papers I'd thrown at her last night.

Signed. Her signature at the bottom in neat, careful letters.

She'd signed them. She'd actually signed them.

My hands were shaking as I grabbed my phone and dialed Mr. Cooper, Maya's father.

"Is the Luna with you?" The words tumbled out before he could even say hello. "I need to speak with her. It's important."

"Good morning to you too, Alpha." His voice was maddeningly calm. "No, she's not here."

He knew something. I could hear it in his tone.

"Where else would she be?" My voice rose. "If not with her father or her husband-"

"Ex-husband," Cooper corrected. "I think you mean ex-husband, Alpha."

The word hit like a slap and his calm demeanor only fueled my fury.

"Where is Maya, Cooper?" I was shouting now. "Where the hell is my wife?"

A long sigh came through the phone.

"I wish I knew, Alpha. She left the Southern Pack this morning. That's all I can tell you."

The room tilted sideways.

"Left? Why? Is it a vacation? When is she coming back?"

"Never, Alpha." Cooper's voice was heavy. Final. "My daughter isn't coming back to the Southern Pack. She's gone. For good."

Maya

The bus window was filthy. I mean properly disgusting, like nobody had cleaned it since 2015. But I kept staring through it anyway, watching trees and run-down buildings blur past.

Welcome to Northern Pack territory.

If Southern Pack was a polished magazine cover, then Northern Pack was like the crumpled newspaper you found in a gas station bathroom. More trees than houses. The houses that did exist looked like they'd been through a war and lost.

I felt like I'd time-traveled to 2003. It felt like, someone was going to offer me a flip phone any second now.

The bus wheezed to a stop at the terminal. I grabbed my luggage and climbed off with the other passengers, most of whom looked like they'd just finished twelve-hour shifts at jobs they hated. The exhaustion was practically radiating off them.

I stood there for a minute, taking it all in.

The buses were either covered in dirt or had paint so faded you couldn't tell what color they used to be. The walls of the terminal were crumbling, covered in peeling posters and graffiti. A group of kids were skateboarding through a hole someone had smashed in one of the concrete walls, laughing like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Excuse me?" I turned to a man who'd just walked up beside me. He was clearly waiting for the next bus. "Do you know how to get into town from here? I'm new and kind of lost."

He looked me up and down like I'd just asked him to donate a kidney.

Then he turned away without saying a word. I waited a full minute,hoping he'd change his mind and respond but I got nothing.

"Okay then," I muttered. "Great start, Maya. Really nailing the whole 'fresh start' thing."

I grabbed my luggage and followed the flow of people heading in one general direction, figuring they probably knew where they were going better than I did.

When I finally emerged onto an actual street, the sun hit me like a slap.

Goddess, it was bright here. And hot. My skin immediately started burning.

Small houses lined the street, nothing taller than two stories. A few shops were scattered around, most of them looking like they might close down any day now. Everything felt old and tired and forgotten.

A wave of doubt crashed over me.

"Maybe this was a mistake," I whispered.

"No." I shook my head firmly. "You made the right choice. You had to leave."

And I did have to leave. Staying in Southern Pack meant watching Mason and Seraphina play happy family. It meant everyone whispering about the pathetic ex-Luna who got replaced. It meant my baby growing up in the shadow of Seraphina's son.

No. Leaving was the only option.

My dad was the only one who knew where I'd gone. He'd been worried, obviously, but he understood. Sometimes you have to run to save yourself.

I spotted a fruit stand up ahead and headed toward it, my stomach growling. The old lady behind it smiled when she saw me, which was honestly the friendliest thing that had happened since I arrived.

I grabbed some plums and grapes. She bagged them up and I paid, then looked around for somewhere to sit and eat.

That's when I saw the mini mart.

Perfect. I needed to stock up on a few things anyway.

I wheeled my luggage inside and started browsing the aisles, trying to stick to a strict budget. I had a few thousand dollars to my name and no idea how long it would have to last.

Then I smelled it. Something baking. Bread, maybe, or pastries.

My stomach basically screamed at me.

I glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then stuck my hand in the fruit bag and pulled out a plum.

The first bite was heaven. Juicy and sweet and I demolished it in about thirty seconds flat before grabbing another one.

"You know, you can eat without making yourself uncomfortable, dear."

I froze mid-chew and turned around.

An old woman stood in the aisle behind me, looking at my stomach with a knowing smile.

"Uh." I swallowed the massive chunk of plum in my mouth. "Okay?"

"I know what it's like, being pregnant and hungry." Her voice was kind. "It's all-consuming. Like your brain shuts off and you just have to eat. But slow down, honey. The food isn't going anywhere. You'll get full either way, and you'll avoid constipation."

"Thanks," I said, my face burning with embarrassment.

She didn't seem like she was trying to embarrass me, though. She actually seemed nice, which was such a relief after everyone else I'd encountered today.

I finished grabbing what I needed, then called after her before she could leave.

"Excuse me? Are there any rooms for rent around here? I just moved to the area and I need somewhere to stay."

Her face lit up. "Oh yes! I have rooms available, actually. Right above the restaurant I own. It's just a block from here." She gestured down the street. "You can even get a meal if you're hungry."

I could have cried with relief. "That would be amazing. Thank you so much."

"Come on, follow me."

We paid for our things and walked out of the mart. True to her word, the restaurant was literally right around the corner. A small deli with a hand-painted sign that read "Brown's."

She pushed open the glass door and ushered me inside. It was cute. Cozy. The kind of place that probably made amazing comfort food.

One of her employees took my luggage behind the counter while she gestured to a table.

"Sit, sit. Order whatever you want. We'll look at the room once you've eaten."

The souffle was incredible. I'd picked it as my side dish instead of the salad, and honestly, it was the best decision I'd made all day. Okay, it tasted a little stale, but the owner had been so nice to me that I wasn't about to complain.

"How's the food?" The old woman slid into the seat across from me. "Everything okay?"

"It's great," I said honestly. "I love the souffle. I'm not really a salad person."

"You should eat it anyway. Not for you, for the baby. Growing babies need all the nutrients they can get." She smiled warmly. "What's your name, honey?"

"Maya."

"Beautiful name. I'm Brown. That's what everyone calls me, anyway."

She leaned forward, studying my face. "So what brings you all the way to Northern Pack? I can tell you're from Southern Pack territory."

"Yeah, I am." I pushed the salad around my plate. "I just needed a change, you know? Sometimes when you need to heal, the best thing you can do is leave your comfort zone and start fresh somewhere new."

Brown laughed. "Honey, if Southern Pack was my comfort zone, I'd never leave. That place is paradise compared to here. This place is practically a ghost town."

I couldn't help but laugh with her. "I like how quiet it is. Feels like I could live a simple life here."

"Simple, sure. But limiting." She pushed to her feet. "Come on, let's go look at the room. Terra! Bring out the luggage!"

She led me through a door at the back of the restaurant. The door looked like it was being held together by sheer willpower, termites having eaten through most of the wood.

We climbed a narrow staircase that was way dustier than the restaurant. Clearly, not many people came up here.

Finally, we reached a door. Brown pushed it open and stepped inside, immediately going to the window to throw open the drapes.

Sunlight flooded the small room.

And I mean small. It was a single bedroom, barely big enough for the bed, a tiny kitchenette, and what looked like a closet-sized bathroom.

"So?" Brown turned to me with a hopeful smile. "What do you think? There's running water, a kitchen for home-cooked meals, even a little balcony where you can sit and enjoy the view. If you like it, it's yours."

I wanted to be picky. I wanted to say it was too small, too run-down, too depressing.

But I was in survival mode. I needed a roof over my head more than I needed comfort.

"I like it," I said.

Brown clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! I knew you would!"

"How much is the rent?"

"Three hundred dollars for six months. We charge twice a year, so that'll cover you through the first half."

Three hundred dollars. I only had a few thousand to my name, and I had no idea how long I'd need to make it last. But I needed this room, and I needed to find a job as soon as possible.

"Okay," I said. "Where do I pay?"

"Cash is fine. I'll get you a receipt within the hour."

I counted out the money and handed it over. Brown looked thrilled, which seemed like a weird reaction, but whatever. Maybe she didn't get renters very often.

"I'll leave you to get settled!" she said cheerfully, then disappeared down the stairs.

I turned and looked at the room again. Really looked at it.

Cobwebs in the corners. Dust on every surface. The walls were stained and the floor was uneven.

"Starting small," I muttered. "This is fine. You'll stay here until the baby comes, then you can find something better."

I spent the next few hours cleaning. Scrubbing floors. Washing bathroom tiles. Wiping down windows. By the time I finished, I was completely wiped out.

I collapsed onto the bed without even changing clothes, my eyes closing the second my head hit the pillow.

Until-

BANG! BANG! BANG!

I jolted awake, my heart racing.

Someone was pounding on the door. No, not pounding. Trying to break it down.

Oh God. Mason. Mason found me.

Panic flooded my system. I jumped off the bed and looked around wildly, searching for somewhere to hide.

The pounding got louder.

Then the door exploded inward.

Two massive men stormed into the room and grabbed me before I could even scream.

Maya

"Let go of me!" I planted my feet on the threshold, refusing to move another inch. "How dare you break into my apartment like this?! This is assault!"

One of the men actually laughed. "Your apartment?"

"Yes, MY apartment! You broke down my door and dragged me out like I'm some kind of criminal! Is this normal here? Is this how you treat people in Northern Pack?"

"Listen, lady." The first man's grip loosened slightly. "You either walk out of here on your own, or we use a lot more force than we just did. Your choice."

I stopped struggling, confusion replacing the panic.

They were serious. They weren't Mason's men. Not at all

"Wait." I tried to calm my breathing. "What's going on? Why are you treating me like this? What did I do?"

"What you did," the second man said slowly, like he was talking to a child, "is live in a room that doesn't belong to you. And you've got the nerve to act all offended about it."

I blinked. "But I paid for this room. Just this afternoon. I paid Brown, the woman who owns the restaurant downstairs. She told me I could stay here."

They burst out laughing.

Like full-on, doubled-over, tears-in-their-eyes laughing.

"How gullible are you?" the first man wheezed. "You actually fell for it?"

"Fell for what?"

"You got scammed, sweetheart. Congratulations." He wiped his eyes. "Tell me, this 'Brown' person. What did she look like?"

"She was old. Brunette hair. Really nice. She works in the restaurant downstairs and she told me she owned this place." I gestured around frantically. "She even had one of her employees help with my luggage. You can ask them."

"No old woman owns this restaurant, let alone the rooms above it." The first man shook his head. "How did you not know this? Are you not from Northern Pack, or are you just stupid?"

The embarrassment hit me like a physical blow.

"But she." My voice got smaller. "She seemed so legitimate. She called one of the waitresses. Terra, I think her name was. She helped with my bags."

The second man grabbed my arm. "Come on. Let's go downstairs and you can show me this 'Brown' person."

Still confused and humiliated, I let them lead me back through the dark corridor. The only light came from a small hexagonal window at the top of the wall, probably catching moonlight from the street.

This couldn't be happening. One minute I was settling into my new room, exhausted but hopeful. The next, I was being dragged out by angry men who were calling me a scammer.

We reached the door at the bottom of the stairs. I opened it carefully, half afraid it was going to crumble to dust in my hands.

The restaurant was nearly empty now. Just one customer at the counter, dropping some coins before heading out.

"Hey!" I called to the woman behind the counter. She turned around and my stomach dropped.

This wasn't the same person. This woman had bright orange hair and a face covered in freckles. Nothing like the brunette who'd helped me earlier.

"Can I help you?" She looked confused, her eyes darting between me and the two men.

"Brown," I said desperately. "You know Brown, right? The owner of this place? The woman who owns the rooms upstairs?"

The waitress tilted her head. "I have no idea who you're talking about."

"Brown!" I slapped my hand on the counter and started looking around wildly. "She was here this afternoon! She owns this restaurant! She helped me with my bags! I paid her!"

But the waitress just stared at me like I was insane.

I ran around the restaurant, checking every corner. "Brown! Brown, where are you?!"

Nothing.

The two men and the waitress watched me with a mixture of amusement and pity.

I must have looked absolutely unhinged. Hair a mess, barefoot, screaming a stranger's name in an empty restaurant.

"I need to check the mini mart," I said suddenly, and bolted out the door before anyone could stop me.

I burst into the mart like a madwoman, making every customer turn and stare.

"Does anyone know Brown?" I shouted. "Old lady, brunette, works at the deli down the street?"

Blank stares. Head shakes.

Nothing.

I walked back to the restaurant slowly, defeat weighing down every step.

This was real. I'd been scammed.

The men were still waiting when I pushed open the door. The stupid bell above it jingled cheerfully, which made me want to rip it down.

"There's no Brown," I said quietly. "Is there?"

"Glad you figured it out." The first man crossed his arms. "Now get your stuff and leave."

I looked down at my bare feet. Several blisters had formed from running on the cobblestones. I tried to hold back tears but my stupid pregnancy hormones had other ideas.

"I'll go." My voice cracked. "I'll find a hotel before it gets dark. Can I at least get my stuff?"

The first man disappeared upstairs and came back with a single small bag.

My small bag. Not my luggage.

"Wait." I took the bag from him, my hands shaking. "This isn't everything. I came here with three boxes and a tote bag. Where are they?"

"This is all that was in the room."

"No." I shook my head wildly. "No, no, no. I had luggage. I know I did. Three boxes and a tote bag. I'm not crazy!"

"Look, lady." The first man's patience was clearly running out. "This is what we found. Now leave before we make you leave."

"Make me leave? Are you kidding me?" My voice rose. "I was robbed of three hundred dollars and all my belongings and I'M the problem?"

"You can go check the room if you don't believe us," the second man said, and there was actual sympathy in his voice.

I ran back upstairs and tore through the room.

Nothing in the closet. Nothing in the kitchen. Nothing in the bathroom.

Gone. Everything was gone.

I sank to the floor and started crying. Not just tears, but full-body sobs that made my chest hurt.

When I finally stumbled back downstairs, I was done being polite.

"Thieves!" I screamed at the two men. "You're both thieves! You took everything I had! Brown's working with you, isn't she? This is how you do it to everyone, right?"

The first man's face turned dark. "You're calling US thieves? Do you have any idea who we are?"

"Yes!" I pointed at both of them. "Thieves! That's who you are!"

He shoved me. Hard.

I stumbled backward and fell, my hands and knees scraping against the concrete outside the restaurant.

The second man crouched down next to me, his face cold. "You dare call us thieves? I'm going to teach you a lesson. You'll learn never to speak to us like that again."

He raised his hand and I closed my eyes, bracing for the hit.

"Back away from her. Both of you." The voice was male. Deep. Commanding.