Stepping into her old penthouse in Mystic Town, Riana's heart beat a little faster-not with anxiety, but with the quiet hum of homecoming.

"I'm.. home" she sighed with a weak smile hiding the hurt she felt.

The double doors swung open to reveal a sunlit sanctuary. Walls of cream and gold, plush carpets that swallowed sound, the faint scent of sandalwood candles lingering in

the air. Her fingers touched the walls gently while her heart beats in pain.

This had been their first home together before they'd moved to Ambrose-a nest she'd built with her own hands, dreaming of warmth and family for the child growing

inside her.

But Wesley had only ever seen walls. He'd been too lost mourning the mate he thought fate had stolen from him. He blamed her for his sorrow.

Seven years of marriage. Seven years trying to carve warmth into cold marble. Now, the penthouse stood like a museum of the life she'd failed to build-and the one she

was now reclaiming.

"No! I will not think about him. He is my past" She dropped her luggage and padded barefoot across the floor, twirling slowly as her mother's old lullaby escaped her lips. No trace of Wesley's cologne here. No dark leather or Alpha ego.

Just her books. Her scented candles. Her silence.

"Mystic Town," she whispered, pushing open the tall windows. A soft breeze lifted strands of her hair. "I'm truly at home."

She'd bought this place in secret-with Sasha's help. A shell company, a discreet sale Wesley never noticed. He hadn't cared enough to ask who'd purchased it; he was just

glad to be rid of it. Perhaps getting rid of any memory about her.

Exhaustion finally pulled her under. She slept deeply for the first time in months.

Six hours later, a sharp alarm tore through the darkness.

Riana fumbled for her phone, squinting at the screen. 3 AM in Mystic Falls. 7 AM in Amberose City. "Too early"

Then, her eyes opened wide. She recalled it was Willa's breakfast time.

Her thumb hovered over her daughter's contact. She'd set this alarm months ago-a reminder to call, no matter where in the world she was, no matter how short or cold the conversations had become. It was a thread, thin and fraying, but one she refused to let go.

Lately, Willa's replies had dwindled to one-word answers. Fine. Okay. Bye.

And after what she'd overheard. after the birthday night, the rejection, the way her daughter had looked at Delilah as if she hung the moon.

"What's the point?" With a quiet sigh, Riana deleted the alarm. Some threads weren't meant to be held forever. Some you had to let it snap.

In the darkness of a home that was finally hers again, she allowed herself one final tear. Then, she closed her eyes and chose to sleep a little longer.

The morning sun cast long, gentle shadows across her room. When the door clicked open from the outside, Riana's instincts flared. Who could it be?

With a flick of her wrist, a controlled arc of fire shot from her palm. A reflex from her self-defense act.

"Hey! Watch it! It's me!" Sasha sidestepped the flames with vampiric speed, her voice a mix of surprise and amusement. "You must be really tired not to be able to sense me"

Riana blinked, sitting up in bed. She'd returned in such a hurry she hadn't even had time to meet her friends yet. "What are you doing here?"

"Surprise, Wolf-Witch Queen," Sasha bounded onto the bed, pulling Riana into a hug before she could even pretend to be asleep. "Looks like your powers are sharper than

ever. The Winters pack is in for a shock! They're so busy fawning over Delilah's'pureblood' status they never recognized the real treasure right under their noses."

"I'm not their Luna anymore," Riana said, rising. "I signed the papers."

"You signed? And Wesley just. let you? That mangy dog didn't even try to fight for you?"

Her words made Riana laughed while she gave her friend a quick hug. "The divorce agreement was drafted right after we married,"

"What a dick! You were OK with that?"

Riana offered a bitter smile. "My signature is probably the one thing he's been waiting for all these years."

"Oh, Riana," Sasha pulled her into another embrace. "He's going to regret this. He lost a treasure."

"He doesn't matter anymore." Riana glanced at her phone. No messages from Willa. A flicker of pain crossed her eyes, but she buried it quickly. She turned the phone off,

determined to be present. "Hey, let's get some breakfast. Let's not talk about him"

***

(An hour later, still at home)

*

"Earth to Riana," Sasha teased, her amber eyes glinting playfully. "You've been staring at that sandwich for five minutes. What's on your mind? You should be celebrating! Blood?"

"Ew, no," Riana looked up, forcing a light laugh. "Just. planning for the next move. I have plans.. just thinking.. when, how.."

Sasha could read her like an open grimoire. "Riana, you're lying. What's going on with your little heir? Is her fluctuation still happening?"

Riana sighed, finally taking a bite. She could not hide things from Sasha, "Willa will stay with Wesley. For now. Until I get things in order here."

Sasha's voice softened. "Are you okay? No call from your pup today? You used to call her every morning."

"Not today."

"You're hiding something." Sasha got closer to whisper, "That tone in your voice, something is not quite right"

Leaning in, Riana lowered her voice. "I'm planning to attend the Moon Gala."

"No!" Sasha's jaw dropped. "Shut up! This weekend? Oh, you're going to cause chaos."

A wicked grin spread across her face, making Riana laugh genuinely. "All those years of secret training-this performance will be worth it. I hope Carlita can make it on

time."

"I'm excited and nervous. But at least Delilah won't be there this time."

Sasha rolled her eyes. "Don't even play modest. If it weren't for the. unexpected circumstances back then, you would've been the shining new Queen of the Gala, not

that wannabe Delilah prancing around like her homewrecker mother's 'pureblood' line actually means something. She's never had to face real power like yours."

The Moon Gala wasn't just some stuffy party. It served as the grand prelude to the most magnificent festival in werewolf history - the Moon Gathering.

Occurring once every four years, the Moon Gathering was a spectacle of power-a night where alliances were forged in blood oaths and broken with fangs. The winner

gained significant influence, their voice carrying weight in supernatural society for years to come.

Eight years ago, it was supposed to be Riana's debut. Her powers were still stabilizing, but she was confident she would stun everyone. She wanted the packs to see who the true, worthy heir was.

But her unexpected pregnancy changed everything. For Willa's safety and stability, she had to postpone her plans indefinitely.

Riana shook her head, a new light in her eyes. "Enough about the past. I have something to show you."

"A new pair of shoes? New designer dress –"

"No, something better. Hold on"

Riana walked to the bookshelf, slid out a false panel to reveal a hidden safe, and retrieved a crystal vial pulsing with a soft, rose-gold light.

Sasha's eyes widened. "Is that-?"

Riana nodded and winked, "Thanks to Rowan and his R&D team, the latest breakthrough from my company,"

Pride threading her voice. Riana continued, "I'm calling it the Xena Formula. Named after my grandmother. She was the most powerful witch Mystic Town had ever seen. It took us four years and a dozen disasters to make it work. Almost.. blew up the whole lab"

"Does it. work?" Sasha leaned in, mesmerized.

"It neutralizes inherited magical suppression codes. Permanently. Sasha, I can finally access my full potential. We all can. Freely."

"Riana. have you unchained your own powers?" Sasha asked, her voice hushed with concern. "Are you sure this is.. the right thing to do?"

But it was met with a smile from Riana, "Of course. All of it. Unchained"

"That explains the surge I've been seeing in your aura lately. It's like. bottled lightning."

"Well, whatever glow you're seeing, it clearly wasn't enough for Wesley to see my worth," Riana said, a hint of old bitterness surfacing. "He always looked at me like I was impure. Not wolf enough. Not submissive enough. Not pureblooded like Delilah. What he never understood was that my potential was artificially suppressed-dampened by the magical inhibitors they forced on me to control my witch side."

"It held back everything: my wolf's strength, my speed. my light."

"Okay, so Delilah's a coconut-scented bitch, but you're a battle goddess in Louboutins," Sasha declared, squeezing Riana's hand. "And if you get thrown into

supernatural prison for breaking approximately seventy laws, I'm going with you. So will Carlita-I'll make sure of it."

Riana laughed, the sound genuine and bright. "Relax, Sasha. My company will only produce completely legal, carefully dosed vials."

"But mine here," she said, gazing at the shimmering liquid, "is mine."

"It's enough to finally claim what should have been mine all along. And that bitch Delilah is going to have to fight me for it."

Her voice hardened with resolve. "I am the rightful heir to the Regalia Pack, not her."

Glasses were raised-espresso for Riana, a crimson-filled flute for Sasha-in a toast to a future about to be rewritten.

*

(Back in Ambrose City)

*

Delilah always knew how to make Willa laugh. She played games, told outrageous jokes, and let her eat anything she wanted.

She never said, "Sweetie, you can't have that, but Mommy can make you something else."

When Willa was tired or cranky, Delilah didn't sigh or get frustrated-she just scooped her up and asked if she wanted ice cream.

But now, sitting in the vast, glittering emptiness of the mansion, a dull ache settled in Willa's chest. The kind of feeling she could not understand.

Sunlight streamed across the lavish breakfast spread, making her golden hair shine. The same colour she inherited from her mother.

"Daddy.?" she began, her voice small.

"Yes, darling?"

Willa's voice caught. Biting her lips, she looked at him hoping he would look back at her, "Has Mommy said. if she's not going to call anymore?"

For three days, there was nothing. No calls. No texts.

At first, she'd liked it. No one telling her what to do. Saying no to what she desires.

The freedom from her mother's daily check-ins. No more stiff conversations where she had to pretend to care about school or recount her day with friends.

It felt like a victory.

But soon, her heart began to waver.

Mom never just. disappeared. She always kissed her forehead-even when she was angry, tired, or running late. Even when she wasn't perfect. she was always there.

Feeling the awkward silence, Wesley looked at his daughter's conflicted face and opened his mouth to speak, but his phone rang.

He smiled seeing the number on the screen, "Delilah, what is it?"

Willa watched her father leave the table to take the call, wondering what couldn't be said in front of her. He never used to walk away when Mom called, though their conversations were always short and cold. She'd hardly ever seen him smile at Mom, even on the phone.

"Willa," Wesley said, returning abruptly. "Something's come up. Henry will take you to school today."

"Is Aunt Delilah in trouble again?"

"Don't worry, I'll handle it." He ruffled her hair, grabbed his suit jacket, and was gone.

A confusing mix of emotions swirled inside Willa. She'd actually been looking forward to Dad driving her. Mom always drove her to school, even when she had meetings. Mom stayed up all night when she had a fever. Mom braided her hair exactly the way she liked it-even when she was exhausted.

She swallowed her disappointment. Aunt Delilah must be in real trouble for Daddy to rush off like that. He didn't mean to break his promise. She had to be understanding.

She checked her phone one more time, sighed, and stared out the window.

Still, no call coming.

*

***

*

Wesley pushed open the door to Delilah's suite, his voice tight with concern, with his eyes scanning the room with concern, "Delilah, darling, what's wrong? Why are you leaving so suddenly?"

The morning sun streamed in, catching the delicate silk of her chemise and the subtle glow of her makeup. She was a vision of curated perfection.

He swallowed his saliva seeing her wearing a dress revealing the sexy curves of her body. The memory of him kissing her smooth skin, hunger to be inside of her again, made him felt uneasy. The strange desire was again crawling under his skin.

He got closer to reach out to her. To feel her again.

"I have to go back to Mystic Town, Wesley," she said, the curve of her back accentuated as she bent to arrange a suitcase-an unconscious, yet potent, invitation.

"Did they call you?" He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, inhaling the intoxicating scent of gardenias that clung to her skin. Just a hint was enough to stir his

desire.

"Don't go. We just found each other again. I haven't had nearly enough of you." His hand slid familiarly beneath the hem of her slip. As he felt the warmth between her legs, he groaned.

Feeling the hard evidence of his want pressed against her, Delilah allowed herself a faint, unseen smile.

She stilled his wandering hand but arched against him in a way that made his breath catch. "I can't stay. You're still married to Riana."

"Delilah –"

"What will people say if they think I'm the reason your marriage fell apart?" She turned, catching her lower lip delicately between her teeth. Brushing her lips teasingly against his, she whispered, "I don't want to be the villain, Wesley."

Wesley traced her lips, his gaze darkening. "My pack knows you're the Luna I've chosen. Let them talk. I stopped caring long ago."

She looked up at him, her eyes wide. "But what if Willa grows up to hate me?"

"She won't," he murmured, his mouth finding the sensitive spot below her ear. "She adores you."

A glint of triumph flashed in Delilah's eyes even as her body melted against his. "And Riana? Seven years is a long time. She's still my sister. I don't want-"

"She was never supposed to be my wife," Wesley growled, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss.

That familiar feeling of losing control washed over him. He prided himself on his discipline, but around Delilah, it evaporated like mist.

Is this the pull of true mates? Or pure lust for her body?

He wondered fleetingly before urgency took over. He tugged the strap of her slip down. "You are my mate."

From an angle he couldn't see, Delilah's lips curled into a cunning smile. She wrapped her legs around his waist, a silent surrender. "Ah, Wes –"

Feeling her warmth again, made Wesley tore her dress revealing her body for him to conquer, "I want you, all of you"

"It's my fault, Wesley. If I had found you sooner, maybe that night."

"That night Riana must have drugged me," he snarled, thrusting into her with raw need. "She lied. I woke up with no memory, and suddenly we were forced into marriage because she was pregnant. And I was made the villain for asking questions."

They moved together, rocking the table she was placed on. The sound of them moaning with desire filled the room as Wesley could not control his strange desire wanting more from her. "You are my mate, darling. I'm sure of it"

"Don't stop. Don't.. stop"

"I would never have married that woman if it weren't for the power this marriage promised," he rasped, moving inside her with a possessiveness that bordered on

rough.

Fragmented images from eight years ago flickered at the edge of his mind but were quickly smothered by Delilah's soothing whispers. "Oh, I know, my King," she crooned like a siren in his ear.

"You never had a choice. But I will always be here for you. Always."

*

***

*

(Back at the Winters Mansion)

*

That evening, the moment Wesley stepped through the door, Willa flew into his arms, her small frame tense with urgency. "Daddy!"

He crouched, catching her gently. "What is it, sweetheart?"

He expected her to say she missed her mother. It was her usual pattern whenever she was upset, and Riana had always been the one to patiently untangle her worries.

In some small, grudging part of himself, Wesley acknowledged that while Riana had been a disappointing wife, she was, at the very least, a competent mother. Perhaps, there were times, a devoted wife.

"Daddy," Willa's voice was all wrong-small and trembling like a wounded pup, "is it true about Aunt Delilah leaving?"

Wesley sighed, finally meeting her gaze. His eyes-the same stormy winter gray as hers-were unreadable. "Yes."

"Why?" The single word hit him with more force than a slap. Tears welled and spilled over her pink cheeks. "Why didn't you stop her? Mommy left, and now she's leaving too? I want to be with Aunt Delilah!"

Wesley was taken aback by the depth of her attachment, one that seemed to eclipse her bond with her own mother. How could he explain the complexities of fated bonds and grown-up conflicts to a child?

"I've spoken with Delilah, darling," he said, smoothing her hair. "She has important business back in Mystic Town. But don't worry, we will be joining her."

"Really?" Willa's eyes widened, hope flickering through her tears.

Wesley offered a gentle smile. "Yes. We won't be separated. Does that make you happy?"

As Willa bounced away, her spirits visibly lifted, a wave of relief washed over him.

The only complication now was ensuring Riana had the sense to keep her distance and

not disrupt their new life once they returned.

Later, with a glass of whisky on one hand, he dialed Riana's number. It rang, then went to voicemail.

Again. And again.

Frustration mounting, he finally connected with his Beta, David, his voice sharp with impatience. "Sync me to Riana's location. Now."

The reply that came was simple, yet it dropped like a stone in his gut.

"Alpha," David's voice was careful, neutral. "Luna Riana resigned from the company this morning."

*

(A few hours earlier – a little surprise visit that he did not expect)

*

Riana remembered the morning with perfect clarity-the subtle flicker of shock in Beta David's otherwise unreadable eyes. Seated in a convertible car, she smile recalling her short visit that would leave a long term mark.

David was a man of few words and even fewer expressions, Wesley's most trusted aide. While Wesley was. otherwise occupied with his lover, David was the one who truly managed the empire.

That morning, Riana wore her favorite tailored suit, the one that made her feel both powerful and untouchable. She didn't knock when she stepped into the glossy, intimidating office with fancy name plate stating Wesley Winters.

Before that moment, she would float in with carefully painted smiles, perfectly ironed plain dresses, and a mind stuffed full of useless perfect etiquette of an obedient wife like don't slouch in front of the Alpha, he likes his wife poised.

That morning, she strolled in with her chin high, wearing heels sharp enough to strike a man's ego. She walked past those that had mocked her before, talking behind her back while she pretended not to hear. Some pitied her but most wished she never existed in Wesley's life.

Her heels clicked like a countdown to what she had planned to achieve that day. Walking into the office that had the strong scent of her soon-to-be ex-husband, she felt nauseous.

She knew he was not in office as he was most likely busy f*cking his mistress. But his David would be there in his absence.

She met him in his sterile, glass-walled office, placing her resignation letter neatly on his desk. His tie already loose, his sleeves rolled, like he knew chaos was a bout to walk into his life that morning.

"Luna, what –"

"Inform Wesley that the value I've created over the years far exceeds the salary he ever paid me," she said, her voice calm and crisp. "But as of today, I'm done."

David picked up the envelope, his brow furrowing slightly. "Luna, I'm afraid I can't officially accept this without notifying the board. You know the protocol"

"No need for the formality, David" Riana replied with a cool, polished smile. "The board has already been notified. You know better than anyone how efficient I am."

He cleared his throat and slowly stood up, "Luna, let me call Alpha Wesley"

"Don't bother" She adjusted her sleeve, meeting his gaze squarely. "As of today, I am no longer an employee here, nor am I your Luna."

"Why now?"

She smirked with her eyes looking around the room one more time. The place that she knew Delilah had offered her body for her husband's pleasure. A place she had wished she could burn it down to ashes years ago.

When her eyes met his, she gave him a half smile, "You take care, David"

Before David could form another question, Riana slid her sunglasses on and turned, her heels clicking a sharp, final rhythm against the marble floor.

The whispers began before she even reached the elevator-employees peeking from cubicles, speculation swirling in the air.

She heard the murmured bets, the gossip about Delilah soon taking her place. A faint, scornful smile touched her lips. Let them talk.

Outside, the sun glinted off the sleek, obsidian finish of Sasha's convertible. Sasha herself leaned against the door, a smirk playing on her lips, while Carlita gave a

serene wave from the passenger seat.

"Ready to return to your throne, my queen?" Sasha called out.

Riana slid into the car with effortless grace, her chin held high. Letting her hair loose, she smiled and raised her arms in the air, "I'm free!"

Her friends cheered for her as she took her seat in the convertible. And with that, Riana Regalia – once the perfect trophy wife – clicked out of the office tower as though she were walking a runaway.

"Next stop," she said, her voice laced with long-awaited resolve. "The Moon Gala."

"And I know the perfect place to get ready" Carlita sang her words as Sasha drove them out from the city.

*

***

*

(Later that evening at Mystic Town)

*

"Darling, if you tug at the hem of the dress again, I'm putting a spell on your hands to keep it still the whole night" Carlita slapped Riana's fingers away as she gave the last touch of makeup on Riana's face. "There.. you are gorgeous, and bold. I love it"

The feeling was not all mutual. Riana groaned and twirled in front of the mirror. The silk gown hugging every curve of her body was going to make the headline of her comeback in tomorrow's news. "This feels too much"

"Too much?" Sasha snorted while she sat on the boutique sofa like she owned it. Her lips curled forming a smirk, "Your entire life for the past seven years were too much. Too loyal, too obedient. For once, you need to be too hot"

Carlita adjusted the gown's neckline pulling it lower to show some cleavage. "She's right. Tonight is not about being subtle. You need to step into that ball and make every wolf choke on their champagne."

Riana nodded and held her chin up. "Not the kind of support I need tonight but I'll work on it."

"This is our support," Sasha shot back and stood up. "We're supporting your cleavage, your confidence, and your political aspirations. In that order. You have a mission tonight, and you need to have that killer look"

By the time they were done, Riana looked less like a fallen Alpha's wife and more like the Alpha herself. Hair pinned back sleek and sharp, eyes smoky with determination, and a gown that dared anyone laugh at her. "Perfect"

As the girls dropped her to the location where the Moon Gala was held, Riana held her breath trying to control her emotion burning inside her chest. Her eyes scanned the entrance, locating a member of the Wolf council that may be to her advantage.

The ballroom glittered with gold, silver, and wolves who thought they were gods. Riana's heels clicked across marble as conversations dipped. Eyes followed her, whispers trailing of her return.

She's back.

She dares to return.

She thinks she still belongs.

And then, came Amy Brown.

An old acquaintance from her former pack was seen at the entrance. She smelled trouble coming.

"Riana?" Amy's voice cut through the music like nails on glass. She sauntered forward, dripping in diamonds and smugness. Her eyes scanned Riana from head to toe, "Well, well. Look who crawled back into town."

Riana wanted to ignore Amy's presence but was blocked by her and her friends. "Without your husband? How bold of you to come here tonight."

Riana's smile didn't falter. "Boldness is in fashion this season."

Amy gave a sharp laugh, loud enough to turn heads. As always, Amy loved the attention, "Fashion? Sweetheart, no dress can hide the fact your Alpha husband preferred another woman. And now you think you can waltz in here, like you're still relevant? You are no longer accepted here. Did you not get the memo?"

Gasps rippled. Amy's cruelty was like a sport, and tonight she was aiming for gold medal. She gestured to the guards, waving her hand like a Queen. "Guards, remove her. We don't allow ghosts of failed wives at our council gatherings. Besides, she left town for a man who does not love her."

Riana's hand tightened around her clutch, but her chin stayed high. She would not break. Not for Amy. Not for anyone.

"A failure like Riana Regalia being allowed to attend is a disgrace to the Moon Gala."

The crowd buzzed. For the first time that night, Riana felt her pulse race for reasons entirely unrelated to vengeance.

And then-

"Touch her, and you'll answer to me."

The voice came smooth, deep, and familiar enough to make Riana's heart stumble. She turned, and there he was: tall, broad-shouldered, devastating in his tailored suit.

His eyes locked on hers with that same unshakable intensity she remembered from nights that felt like another lifetime. The one she never stopped dreaming about, no matter how hard she tried.

Her inner Wolf Geena whispered his name in her mind, 'Raphael?'