Aria's POV
I get up with a pounding pain in my head. The room spun a little, the aftermath of all that drinking hitting me hard.
My wolf, Kira, whimpered softly in my mind, feeling the same ache. "Easy, Aria," she said. "We overdid it last night."
Leah noticed my struggle right away. She helped me sit. And then brought me some warm coffee, to ease the fog in my brain. I swallowed it down, feeling the warmth spread and slowly push back the pain.
Soon, Leah broke the silence.
"Luna, Last night, Alpha Mateo returned, saw how you were and then he left with some of his clothes, heading straight to that she-wolf he's so obsessed with. It's not right! I wish I could teach her some lessons." Leah's voice is filled with concern.
Well, I'm not surprised. Of course I felt his presence while in the fog of sleep. I can still recall him seeing Lucien's jacket.
Leah wasn't done. "And Luna, about Alpha Lucian's coat? Alpha Mateo ordered it to be cleaned and sent back to him today."
I didn't reply.
I knew the real reason, Mateo wasn't being kind. He couldn't risk any rumors spreading through the packs. Better to handle the coat quickly than let whispers grow into howls of scandal. Am I right?
I didn't let that bother me as I live my normal life daily, I spent the next two days resting in the pack house, letting my heart heal. I even made time to visit Elder Miriam, my grandmother who had always been like a guide to me since I lost my family.
I found her presence comforting and it really helped.
By the start of the new week, everything had little difference.
At Mateo's company, The Silver Moon Holdings, the heart of our pack's trading empire, a key alliance project had fallen apart badly, and everyone blamed me.
Proof of my so-called mistakes spread like in the council room. The elders voted fast and harshly. I lost all my duties, my positions right then. That same day, they told me to leave and that I have been stripped of my titles in this company.
Of course, Mateo did all of this. Who else if not him?
On the top level, I stand in my office, by the large windows, staring out over the vast lands. Even the busy activity of the territory below didn't change the sad feelings in my heart.
Behind me, Leah burst in, her face filled with rage. "Luna, they gave the Lunar Trade Pact to Bella! Can you believe that?"
Leah's anger burned hot, but mine was a cold fury.
I should feel sad about this, right? What was Mateo to me now? Why should I cry and hold on to roles and power that only deepened the betrayal?
I no longer care who Mateo showered his affection or favors on, not Bella, and not me. I'd gather what pride I had left and walk away from this people, strong and unbroken. He could keep his alpha throne; I wouldn't be that woman who had loved him blindly and supported his pack to be this strong, I wouldn't be the woman who he can discard whenever he feels like it.
I was about to reply, when my office telephone began to ring. I walked over and picked it up. The voice belonged to Alpha Jeffery Ragnar, Mateo's father.
"Aria, can you come to my pack house this afternoon? I'd like to talk." His tone was friendly, but I tensed wondering why he wanted to see me.
But I agreed anyway.
That evening, I reached Ragnar's private chamber. Unlike Mateo, Jeffery didn't run things from the main pack house. He oversaw his own network of alliances, supposedly for tradition, but any smart wolf knew it was all about control. Every step Jeffrey took protected his son's rule.
The young she-wolf who waited to greet me was stunning. She smiled politely and led me to a peaceful meeting room.
Opening the entrance, she bowed her head. "Alpha, Alpha Mateo's Luna is here."
Jeffrey, sitting, looked up with fake warmth. "Ah, Aria! Come, join me."
I followed and sat across from him, and Jeffrey poured my cup with wine juice in politeness.
"I've always respected you," Jeffrey started. "You've been key to Silver Moon Holdings, for Mateo. But tell me, Aria. Has trouble started between you two lately? If it's about Bella, ignore her. Just a foolish young girl, not worth your time."
I smiled slightly. "No need to worry father."
Jeffrey paused, surprised by my reply.
I see his respect grew, mixed with caution.
"The Lunar Trade Pact is risky," he said quietly. "My brother Jonathan's anger is famous, and his beta lacks tact. Without a proper lead…"
Inside, Kira snorted. "No emotional blackmail please."
My voice stayed neutral. "Mateo already locked his control over the Alpha pact. His cousin Jonas won't get room to cause real harm."
For all his cunning, Jeffrey couldn't hide the flash of annoyance. He cleared his throat, switching to light talk, but the message was clear.
When I got back to Silver Moon Holdings to take the rest of my belongings, night was falling. My office felt strange now, empty of any meaning. I focused on packing what little remained. Leah helped, fuming about the unfairness.
"When you find your way again," Leah said fiercely, "I hope they all pay." I stayed silent.
Shortly, a knock echoed at the door, startling us. There stood Mateo, tall and commanding in his alpha luxurious suit. He signaled for Leah to go. She glared at him hesitantly but obeyed as she left.
Alone, Mateo spoke to me, his voice softer than I expected. "Bella was never the issue. Aria, if you agree, I'll call an elders' meeting next moon to restore you to a high role."
I laughed quietly, full of bitterness. How ridiculous that he thought power could still bind me to him. What is the point of staying if I don't own his heart? How unaware he was of how he'd killed my will to fight for us.
I stepped closer, bridging the gap. My hands went to his chest, smoothing the tie, fixing his collar, meeting his gaze.
"Alpha Mateo Ragnar , Alpha of the Silvermoon pack. This is the end."
My lips curve into a short smile that didn't reach my eyes.
Mateo froze, feeling something escape him. Before he could reply, I met his eyes, steady and firm again.
"I'm not returning, Mateo," I said gently.
I take my last belongings as I walked past him. Just before the doorway, I turned to face him.
"I'm finally giving you that space you need. You are now free to be with your lover."
With that, I walk out.
Mateo watched me leave, I felt a strange tightness building inside. He didn't stop me, didn't even try to. He just wanted me to leave but what he didn't know was that my exit was my goodbye to Silver Moon, to our broken bond, our broken marriage. One, I'd always tried to save but never worked.
Now, I was never coming back.