*

(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?'

"Raphael, she cannot be invited in" Amy's voice pierced through the live music like a scream of a hyena. Heads turned, eyes narrowed, whispers raced like fire through Riana's ears.

Riana didn't flinch. Instead, she lifted her chin up showing her confidence. "You heard what he said"

"You dare talk back at me?" a few chuckles broke out. Quickly smothered, of course-no one wanted to be on Amy's blacklist. Her gown glittering as though trying to outshine her fury. "Don't you dare, Riana. You don't belong here. You betrayed your pack, running off with an Alpha who never loved you. You're nothing but a-"

"A survivor?" Riana cut in smoothly, lips curving striking her opponent with her words, "Funny, I don't recall betrayal in my vows. Only loyalty to the pack. And unlike you, I didn't claw for scraps at another wolf's table."

Gasps. A couple of elders stood in the corner actually snorted into their wine. Amy's painted smile wobbled. She knew her way to climb the social status was not something to be proud of.

"You think you can just walk back in here, Riana?" she hissed, "and the elder council will welcome you? You're a stain. And stains don't get seats. Go back to your city, living in your large mansion. Mystic Town do not need you"

Riana stood still and leaned in a little, her perfume curling between them like smoke. "Darling, I don't need their pity. I'll earn their respect, and one day yours too. And the fact you're screaming in public right now.." She paused and glanced around at the audience Amy had unintentionally gathered to humiliate her. "I'd say I've already made my point."

"How dare you say such things! Do you not know who I am? Don't forget who my husband is" Amy's cheeks burned crimson. She snapped her fingers at the guards. "Remove her!"

The guards hesitated. Wolves rarely defied Amy, who was the wife of an old general of an army of her pack. He was twice her age and was trapped into marriage when Amy crawled to his bed one night in a drunk state.

Riana held herself too steady, too sure. She was ready to fight the guards if required. Her nails were already showing, ready to fight off her opponent.

Then, came the voice. Low. Commanding. Cutting through the tension like a blade. Again, making her tremble a little. Unexpectedly.

"The invitation was approved."

Her chest tightened hearing Rapheal's voice again. The man one who had once made her laugh so hard she couldn't breathe, the one who had kissed her under moonlight like it was a promise.

Now his face was carved from stone, his eyes distant, unreadable.

"No one denies her entry," he finished coldly. "As the organizer of Moon Gala this year, I confirm the invitation for Mrs Winters, Luna of Alpha Wesley.. (he paused for a second) approved by the elders' council"

"Amy, if you have any objections, proceed to challenge the council yourself" he said before he left the scene. Not once did he look at Riana.

The room held its breath. Amy knew she could be expelled from the Gala if she disobeyed Raphael. "Yes, Raphael"

He paused and responded to Amy without turning his back, "It's Alpha Raphel now"

The guards lowered their heads. Amy sputtered, humiliated, before storming away with venom in her glare.

Riana forced her own smile, masking the sting in her chest. She wanted, truly wanted, something from him. A flicker. A spark.

But he gave her nothing. Not a glance, not a smile. He moved on, as though she never existed in his life. He did not even wait for her to thank him for the help.

Sensing Raphael's distant attitude, Riana felt a bitter ache in her heart. If not for that accident eight years ago, Raphael would have been her husband.

But the past couldn't be rewritten. It was she who had rejected their bond back then. She had no right to pursue him again now. Her top priority was to focus on her own ascent.

Geena, her Wolf's words echoed in her head. 'Tonight isn't about him, my dear. It's about the council'

So, Riana turned the opposite way from Raphael.

She found the elders by the fountain, three of them perched like vultures with wine glasses in hand. Their eyes tracked her with suspicion-and curiosity.

"Riana" one of them said, an older wolf with a mane of silver hair. "You dare to return."

"I don't dare," she said, keeping her voice steady and sharp. "I intend."

They leaned in, intrigued hearing her boldness. She spoke of strength, of endurance, of how wolves needed leaders who had survived both fire and shame and still stood taller than before. She played her words like cards, revealing just enough vulnerability to make her human, just enough pride to remind them she was wolf.

Riana was not the discarded wife that night. She was a woman returning to her rightful place.

Well, at least, that was the plan.

Across the courtyard, Raphael lingered in her periphery. Laughing with dignitaries, toasting with Alphas. Riana felt his presence like a tug on her skin. She caught herself stealing glances-when he adjusted his cuff, when he inclined his head politely, when his mouth curved in that distant, polite smile.

Every look left a bruise she hid with brighter words.

By the time she finished, the council elders exchanged glances heavy with consideration. Not approval yet-but not dismissal either.

"Perhaps," the silver-haired wolf said at last, "you do still have teeth, young Riana"

Riana smiled, victorious. "Sharper teeth than Amy's claws."

A ripple of laughter broke their stiff demeanor. She felt the shift, the smallest tilt in her favor. A foothold. Perhaps, luck was on her side that night.

But later, as she stood alone with her empty glass, her eyes betrayed her again. Sliding across the room to him. Always to him.

And when their gazes finally, finally brushed-just for a second-he looked away first.

It hurt Riana more than Amy's words ever could. 'Perhaps, I do not deserve his forgiveness'

As soon as she entered the ballroom again, she saw someone she had wished not to meet that night, "Oh, Moon Goddess, not her"

She encountered Stella, Wesley's younger sister.

"Riana?"

Riana tried to turn around, but it was too late. She had to brace herself facing Wesley's annoying sister, "Stella, lovely to see you"

Stella's eyes narrowed, then she leaned in closer to Riana like they were co-conspirators, "You're spying, aren't you?

"Spying?"

"Yes" Stella glanced around and whispered, "Grandmama sent you, didn't she? To make sure I don't embarrass the family?"

Riana chuckled, while reaching for a glass of wine and emptied the content in her mouth. "Oh, honey, if I were here to spy, you would not even notice me"

Stella huffed, but her lips twitched. "I know, Grandmama. She doesn't trust me to win the Gala Queen title. She probably sent you to sabotage me. Is that why you are here?"

Riana lifted her brows. "You're running for Gala Queen?"

"Of course I am!" Stella declared, striking a pose that made nearby wolves roll their eyes. "I've been preparing to win this year. Delilah won't be here, so I have the better chance to win"

Before Riana could protest, Stella demonstrated-a slow, regal wrist twist followed by a dramatic shoulder tilt. "See? Perfect. Gala Queen."

"Darling, that looks like you're airing out your armpit."

Stella gasped, clutching her chest. "How dare you! You're just saying that because you want the crown this year."

"Maybe I do. But unlike you, I won't rely solely on sequins blinding the judges into submission. You need to show natural talent and strength too"

Their eyes locked with words sharper than claws. Stella sniffed. "The title isn't about strength. It's about grace, beauty, poise-"

"Qualities I survived years of practice being a trophy wife for.. well, no good brother of yours"

"No good brother? You dare say that?" Stella's eyes were about to pop out from her socket, "You are exhausting, Riana. No wonder Wesley despises you and your pretentious good wife attitude"

Their moment of levity ended when the ballroom doors opened again, and the air shifted like prey sensing a predator. Riana didn't need to turn-she knew that presence, that arrogance.

Her ex-husband had arrived.

He strode in, all Alpha swagger, dark suit cut to perfection. And clinging to his arm, dripping in diamonds and smug satisfaction, was his mistress.