Leo’s shining star is back in town.

Madeline, the formidable Luna of the Jensen Pack, hands me a check, her expression cold and unyielding.

“The real deal has returned, so you, the knock-off, should step aside.” Her tone is sharp, the authority of a Luna cutting through the air. “A million dollars. Leave my son.”

I stare at the check, my eyebrows knitting together. My wolf stirs faintly in the back of my mind, a quiet whisper of unease, but I push it down. This is not the time for her to voice her concerns.

Madeline’s lips tighten, her gaze narrowing. “What? Not enough? Two million. Leave my son!” Her voice rises, the command of an Alpha’s mate pressing down on me, but I hold my ground.

I suck in a sharp breath, feigning hesitation. “Three million. If that’s not enough, then—”

“Fine! I’ll leave.” I cut her off, deciding to seize the moment. Honestly, a million would have been more than enough, but who would’ve guessed Madeline would keep upping the ante?

Madeline’s scowl deepens, her face showing exactly what she thinks of me: greedy and predictable.

“As you wish, I can pack up and leave today! But I have two conditions.” I keep my voice steady, though my wolf growls softly, reminding me of the stakes.

Madeline waves a hand impatiently, her rings glinting in the light. “Speak.”

“First, no checks. I only accept a wire transfer.” I pause, meeting her gaze. “Second, concerning this transfer, we need to sign a gift contract and have it notarized.”

No sooner did I finish speaking than Madeline exhaled a sigh of relief and made a quick call. Two minutes later, Benson Ruiz, the pack’s legal advisor, arrives with the contract in hand.

I carefully review the gift contract, just as the lawyer instructed me last night. Satisfied with the terms, I nod and sign. Anticipating this meeting, I’d reserved the café next to the notary’s office at Madeline’s invitation yesterday. As a result, the notarization is completed swiftly.

Once everything is settled, my phone chimes happily. Three million dollars have been deposited into my bank account! That’s the Jensen efficiency for you!

***

I cheerfully wave goodbye to Madeline, though she ignores me, her back rigid with disdain. After watching her leave, I dash to the tax office. Paying taxes is every citizen’s duty, and I’m not about to let the pack’s accountants come after me for evasion.

After settling the taxes, I glance at my bank account balance. The taxes were a hit, but my red scarf feels even more vibrant! With my head held high, I stride out of the tax office, with the staff waving goodbye. It’s almost like they’re saying, “See you next time.”

Just as my left foot steps out of the tax office, my phone rings at the perfect moment.

“Hello, Miss Holmes…” Ah, my airport transfer has arrived.

I, Maggie Holmes, keep my word; I promised Madeline I’d leave today and I won’t drag it out until tomorrow! From booking a first-class ticket to getting through airport security and boarding, everything goes without a hitch. This gives me time to finally check WhatsApp, and the plane is already cruising steadily.

Leo’s messages stand out—[Ask Auntie to prepare a room; Isabella will be staying tonight.]

Um, that was two hours ago. There are two more messages below, sent an hour and half an hour ago, respectively—[?] [Maggie, what’s your deal now?]

Me: ? I’ve just been busy cashing out from your mom and making my exit, overlooked my phone. But suddenly my heart sinks! Leo plans to bring Isabella home to stay?! Wouldn’t that mean he’d discover I’m not there? And the current “bare bones” situation at the house?!

After learning last week that Leo’s first mate, Isabella Shaw, had returned, I haven’t just been sitting around. While Leo was picking Isabella up from the airport, I was reaching out to luxury resellers. As Leo took Isabella to various high-end events, I was appraising and selling jewelry. When Leo announced Isabella’s new role at Jensen Pack, I was already liquidating my assets in this city.

Including the moment Madeline bought me out, shelling out cash to make me leave her son. Before all this, I sought legal advice on how to obtain this income legally and securely. After all, I knew Isabella left Leo back then thanks to Madeline’s generous payout. Madeline never imagined that after Isabella, Leo would find someone she despised even more—me.

With me as the foil, now that Isabella is back, Madeline seems more accepting of her. It just comes at my expense. Leo’s heart isn’t with me, and his Luna is buying me out. I can only leave with my “modest fortune,” quietly exiting stage left.

I initially planned to slip away quietly and let Leo and Isabella enjoy their fairy tale ending.

But now, why is Alpha Leo still fixated on me? Ugh!

Alpha Leo owns so many properties across the packs, yet he insists on placing Isabella in the territory near mine—how puzzling!

However, the mystery of Alpha Leo’s odd behavior unraveled quickly. It was all about Isabella!

As my flight landed, I found myself bored during the wait and started scrolling through the pack forums.

The pack hashtags suggested a post to me—Moonlit Memories: "It’s comforting to be back here. The painting I gave him is still here."

Attached to the post was a picture of the living room in Alpha Leo’s territory, a place I’ve grown intimately familiar with over the past two years.

This account started following me last week, coinciding with Isabella’s return.

Since then, updates about Alpha Leo and Isabella’s every move have been shared here, every detail laid bare.

I recalled that after I had gathered my belongings, the living room was left looking clean and minimalist.

Aside from the sofa and coffee table, only the painting on the wall remained.

Oh, I did ask the movers about it back then. The guy said the painting was worthless, so he didn’t take it.

It turns out the painting hanging in the living room for years was Isabella’s gift to Alpha Leo.

I felt my pride take a hit—a sense of betrayal gnawed at me.

Annoyed, I craved a drink. I wanted some male warriors to distract me.

Alpha Leo’s messages came through again as I stood at the entrance of "Ecstasy," a high-end lounge popular with affluent women in the city center, known for its elite clientele.

"So, you’re the runaway Luna now, Maggie?"

"Seems like I’ve been too easy on you these past two years."

Looks like Alpha Leo discovered I’d packed my bags and left.

Even after my realization, anything Alpha Leo gave me had to be acknowledged as a gift, voluntarily given.

And everything was documented, every item noted.

But Alpha Leo has a legal team, and I worried he might try to reclaim what I’d taken.

Time to spend some of that money while I could.

Besides, faced with a group of handsome, youthful, charming male warriors who know how to flatter, Alpha Leo seemed dull by comparison.

"I ignore you for a week, and you vanish!"

Cohen, with his striking looks and toned physique, insisted on carrying me playfully to the sofa like I was royalty. His strength as a Delta was undeniable.

"Who’s brave enough not to return my messages?"

Ahmed, the bold and charismatic Gamma, pulled me in to show off his oddly impressive skill of cracking walnuts with his abs. His dominance was palpable, even in such a playful moment.

"Think this’ll grab my attention?"

Mohammed, the artsy Beta, played a mesmerizing piece on the piano, his fingers impressively agile. His aura was calm yet commanding, a perfect balance for a Beta.

"Maggie, this is phenomenal."

So infuriating.

I blocked Alpha Leo with my left hand. My right hand stayed busy as well.

Ahmed, competitive as always, insisted that the walnut-cracking feat was far more impressive than playing the piano. He wanted me to feel how strong his abs were, his confidence radiating through his wolfish grin.