Chapter 3

"Leo, go after Amelia quickly."

She said breathlessly, her hand pressing the wound on her head.

"Don't worry, the pup and I will be fine... cough cough."

Her whimpering made him stop in his tracks immediately.

"Stop talking. She's not even pregnant. Right now, your and the pup's safety is what matters most."

Leo's voice was firm.

With my enhanced wolf hearing, I heard every word he said.

I returned to the Packhouse.

Pushing open the master bedroom door, I found it empty and bone-chillingly cold.

Since Leo held the marking ceremony with Grace, he'd spent nearly every night at her apartment.

Grace, emboldened by Leo's favor, had gradually encroached upon my Luna authority: she took over the she-wolves' training, brazenly attended Council of Elders meetings, and even meddled in Pack affairs.

On countless deep nights, while Leo mated with Grace, I endured the torment of our mate bond alone, curled up in bed by myself.

Now, it was time to end all of this.

I walked forward and tore down the photo of Leo and me from the Luna ceremony.

I smashed it against the wall. The glass shattered.

I didn't want to leave any trace of my former foolishness, any trace of the love I'd wasted on him.

I began throwing away everything related to the past: gifts he'd given me, our photos together, gifts we'd prepared for future pups.

I stuffed them all into garbage bags, erasing these memories as if our years of marriage never happened.

I pulled out my suitcase and started packing what I'd take with me, only to realize there was nothing worth taking.

Finally, my gaze fell on the velvet box on the vanity.

Inside lay a Luna ring, the one Leo had personally placed on my finger at the mating ball years ago, when we were declared mates.

How bitterly ironic it seemed now.

Just then, noisy footsteps sounded downstairs.

"Careful, Grace, walk slowly."

Leo's gentle voice rang out beyond the door.

I went downstairs to see Leo helping Grace inside, her head wrapped in white bandages.

Seeing me carrying a bag of trash, a flash of impatience crossed Leo's eyes.

"Amelia, pack your things and move to the guest room," Leo commanded. "Grace was frightened by you at the hospital today. The doctor said she lost too much blood and feels dizzy. She needs me to care for her throughout the night. Give up the master bedroom and sleep in the guest room."

He wanted me to give up the master bedroom to his mistress?!

"Care for her?" I laughed bitterly. "Then why don't you stay at the pack hospital to care for her? Why the fuck are you bringing your mistress into our home?"

"Watch your language, Amelia," he said sternly. "I'm just making amends for your mistake. You put Grace in this condition. Whether you like it or not, Grace is staying in this house."

Grace's voice came out weak.

"I'm sorry, Luna Amelia. I didn't mean to move in. I'm just worried about the pup..."

She said this to twist the knife deeper.

My wolf howled with rage.

I looked Leo straight in the eye and said loudly, "This is my home, Leo. Make her leave."

Leo hesitated.

Suddenly, Grace clutched her belly.

"Leo, my stomach hurts a little," she said softly.

"Enough!" he roared.

"You've never carried a pup, how could you understand Grace's hardship? Move to the guest room first."

I stared at him, feeling the color drain from my face.

"As you wish, Alpha Leo," I said quietly, my voice dangerously low.

Tonight would be my last night in this den.

I turned and walked toward the door.

"Leo, go check on Amelia quickly."

Grace's false voice rang out behind me.

But then came Leo's disdainful snort: "Let her go! It's just her playing hard to get. Don't bother with her. Without me, she won't last even a day! She'll come crawling back and begging soon enough!"

I didn't look back.