The clock struck six, and Amelia stood in the spacious kitchen of the Lotus Pack’s mansion. The faint scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, a testament to her meticulous efforts. As Luna, it was her duty to ensure her Alpha came home to a warm meal and an even warmer welcome, though her heart wasn’t truly in it anymore.

By nine, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the halls. Amelia’s heart clenched, not from excitement, but from dread. Adam entered, his towering frame exuding power, but his eyes were glued to his phone.

“Dinner will be ready in a moment,” Amelia said softly, wiping her hands on a dish towel.

“Mm. I’m taking a shower first,” Adam replied absentmindedly, never looking up from his screen.

Amelia’s sharp gaze flickered to the glowing device in his hand. Bridgette. The name leapt out at her, though she masked her reaction well. She knew exactly who Bridgette was.

As she reheated the food for the third time, her phone buzzed on the counter. Aunt Camille’s name flashed across the screen.

Taking a steadying breath, Amelia answered, “Aunt Camille.”

The voice on the other end was soft yet firm. “Amelia, are you really going to file for divorce?”

The words struck a nerve, but Amelia remained composed. Aunt Camille wasn’t just Adam’s mother. She was the woman who had raised Amelia when her world fell apart

Amelia was only a child when rogues ambushed her parents. Her mother and father, carriers of the rare Rising Moon bloodline, had no active powers to defend themselves. Amelia, however, had shown signs of the ancient ability from a young age. Teleportation—the ability to vanish from one spot and reappear in another—was coveted and feared. Meanwhile, this power was very unstable, and because her parents were not able to manifest this power at all. It all added to the reasons why her bloodline was hard to control.

Her parents had warned her repeatedly. “Never show anyone what you can do, Amelia. They’ll hunt you, just like they how hunted our ancestors.”

They were right. Their enemies had come for them, leaving Amelia an orphan.

Camille was the Luna of Lotus Pack. She felt bad for the poor girl, so she took her in when her parents died, sponsored her education. By the time Amelia got into an exclusive university, she went to meet Camille.

“I got in,” she told Camille with pride one evening. “I'll leave tomorrow. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I wish I could repay you someday.”

Camille hesitated for a moment. “If you really want to repay me, can you do me a favor?”

Amelia nodded. “Of course. What do you need?”

Camille folded her hands. “I need your help with Adam.”

Amelia blinked. “Adam?”

“My son.” Camille sighed deeply. “He’s... broken. His childhood sweetheart left him for another Alpha—someone more powerful. He lost himself after that. Drinking, fighting, losing respect among the pack. I need someone strong enough to pull him out of this mess. Someone who can pretend to love him and bring him back to life.”

“Pretend?” Amelia echoed, confused.

“Just for three years. After that, you’re free to do as you please. I’ll even have your university reserve your position.”

It was a deal Amelia couldn’t refuse.

Years ago, Amelia had played her part perfectly. She’d approached Adam, full of faux enthusiasm.

“I love you,” she’d declared boldly. “It was love at first sight.” She acted so in love, trying to catch his attention, just so she could honor the deal she signed up for.

Adam had been indifferent at first, brushing her off as an annoyance. But Amelia was relentless, following him everywhere, professing her undying devotion.

It even came to the point that she had to sacrifice her safety.

At the annual Alpha Gathering, a bet was announced. The prize? The coveted West Island, a prime piece of territory. The bet? A female wolf companion of an Alpha had to jump through five rings of fire in her wolf form for the Alpha to have the precious land.

Amelia knew Adam wanted that land more than anything. She also knew no one else dared attempt such a dangerous feat. Without hesitation, she shifted into her sleek wolf and stepped forward.

The heat was unbearable, the flames licking at her fur as she leapt through each ring.

The fire was too much and she could feel it burning her fur. She howled in pain, but she also knew she had to go through this, just to keep her end of the deal.

Pain seared through her body, and by the fifth ring, her vision blurred. But she did it. She landed, flames still clinging to her body, before collapsing.

Through the haze of pain, she felt strong arms lift her. Adam’s voice, filled with rare emotion, reached her ears. “Amelia... don’t do this again. Let’s be together. Let’s get married. I’ll try to love you.”

He married her, but he didn't mate with her, and that made it harder for Amelia. With her unstable rare bloodline that needed an alpha's bite, she could not do anything about it if she remained unmated despite being married.

But later, she learned the truth. Bridgette had posted a picture with her Alpha husband in a garden full of beautiful flowers, and Adam’s proposal had been nothing more than a reaction to his lingering obsession.

Three years had passed. Amelia had fulfilled her end of the bargain. She had played the doting wife, endured the coldness, and even risked her life for Adam. But Bridgette was now coming back, freshly divorced and eager to claim her place by Adam’s side.

The final straw came when Adam was ambushed by rogues on his way to meet Bridgette. He could not even wait for her to come. He went all the way to meet her and ended up ambushed by rogues. For a week, Amelia took care of him, tending his wounds, but even in his semi-conscious state, he whispered Bridgette’s name.

Now, as she stood in the kitchen, Aunt Camille’s words echoed in her mind. “Are you really going to file for divorce?”

“Yes,” Amelia said, her voice steady. “The contract is over, Aunt Camille. Adam doesn’t need me anymore. Neither do you.”

A pause. Then Camille sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”

The soft hum of the refrigerator filled the otherwise silent kitchen. Amelia stood by the counter, staring blankly at her phone screen. The divorce agreement was saved in her drafts, the cursor blinking as if waiting for her to press "print."

Her thumb hovered over the screen, but her mind was elsewhere. She thought of all the things she had given up to be here—her dreams, her independence, and, most of all, her heart.

“Amelia?” Adam’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Her wolf felt uncomfortable the moment he stepped in.

She turned abruptly to see him standing in the doorway, his arms crossed. His sharp, dark eyes bore into her with faint curiosity. “Who are you calling?”

She blinked, tucking her phone into her apron pocket. “No one,” she said quickly, her tone indifferent.

Adam raised a brow. “Why are you suddenly acting like this? You seemed… different.”

The irony wasn’t lost on her. He had the audacity to call her out for being distant when he had spent years in another world entirely—one where only Bridgette existed.

“Just thinking about the groceries,” she lied, brushing past him to the sink.

The Alpha didn’t press further. He simply shrugged and glanced at his phone, the glow of the screen lighting up his face. The faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips, and Amelia didn’t have to guess why.

That night, she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling while Adam’s shallow breathing filled the room. His back was to her, his body curled slightly as he cradled his phone like a lifeline.

She listened to the rhythmic rise and fall of his breath, each exhale a reminder of the emotional distance between them. It was as though a chasm had formed in their bed, wide and unbridgeable.

Her mind wandered to the woman he’d always loved. Bridgette. The name alone felt like a ghost haunting their marriage. Amelia wondered if Adam had ever truly seen her, or if she’d always been a placeholder for the woman he couldn’t have.

The next morning, the scent of a traditional English breakfast filled the kitchen. Amelia plated the eggs, toast, bacon, and beans with precision.

Adam walked in, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. He sat at the table, glancing at the spread before him. “British breakfast?” He asked, raising a brow.

“It’s all we had,” she replied smoothly, pouring herself a cup of tea.

Adam frowned but didn’t push further. Instead, his attention shifted to his phone. Amelia noticed the faint smile that appeared when his screen lit up. It was Bridgette again. She could tell by the way his posture straightened, the way his fingers eagerly tapped out a reply.

“Big plans today?” She asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Just pack matters,” Adam muttered, not looking up.

Amelia sat across from him, sipping her tea. Her movements were calm, deliberate. She reached into her bag and pulled out the divorce agreement, the neatly stapled pages pristine and waiting.

“I need you to sign this,” she said, sliding the papers across the table.

Adam didn’t even glance at them. “What is it?” He asked distractedly, his eyes still glued to his phone.

“Just some paperwork for the pack,” she replied, her tone light.

He nodded, picking up a pen and scrawling his signature without hesitation.

Amelia watched him, her chest tight with a mixture of relief and nervousness. He didn’t even bother to ask what he was signing.

As he pushed the papers back toward her, he finally looked up. “Anything else?”

“No,” she said, her lips curling into a humorless smile. “That’s all.”

Adam grunted in acknowledgment, already returning his attention to his phone.

Amelia stared at him for a moment longer, taking in the man she’d spent three years sacrificing everything for. He hadn’t truly looked at her in years. The realization wasn’t new, but it hit differently now.

She laughed softly, the sound catching Adam’s attention.

“What’s funny?” He asked, frowning.

“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head. “Just… ironic, I guess.”

He tilted his head, clearly puzzled, but didn’t press. Instead, he stood, grabbing his plate and carrying it to the sink.

“Let me know if there’s anything else you need,” he said absently, already walking out of the kitchen.

Amelia watched him go, the hollow ache in her chest replaced by a strange sense of peace. The papers were signed. Her decision was final.

As she folded the signed agreement and tucked it back into her bag, she felt lighter.

Her lips quirked into a small smile. Letting go wasn’t as painful as she’d thought it would be.

The soft rustling of fabric accompanied Amelia as she folded yet another blouse and placed it into her suitcase.

The dresser held no keepsakes from her. The closet, half-empty, was filled with garments she’d bought herself. Not once had Adam thought to gift her something as simple as a scarf or a dress. Even her side of the nightstand was barren, save for the divorce papers tucked into the drawer.

She sighed, reaching under the bed for a small, dusty box. Inside were the thoughtful gifts she’d given Adam over the years: a leather-bound journal she had engraved with his initials, an expensive watch she saved months for, and a sleek pen she thought he’d use in pack meetings. All of them were untouched, forgotten.

“Let someone else appreciate these,” she muttered, setting the box aside for sale. Amelia thought that selling those things would be better than letting them all rot in the corner.

The sound of an engine outside drew her attention. She glanced out the window to see the sleek, black Maybach pulling up to the pack house driveway. Her stomach turned.

Asher. Asher, Adam’s younger brother, had been nothing but mean to Amelia from the day she married into the family. He was sharp-tongued and unapologetically hostile, his every word and action laced with disdain.

Having grown up alongside Bridgette, the woman he believed was destined to be Adam’s mate, Asher had built an image of what his sister-in-law should have been. Bridgette was familiar, kind, and deeply rooted in their world—a perfect match for his brother. But when she left, everything changed.

In her place came Amelia, a stranger in every sense of the word. To Asher, she was an intruder, someone who didn’t belong in their family. His bitterness toward her wasn’t subtle. He challenged her decisions, dismissed her efforts, and made it clear he saw her as an outsider.

She didn’t need to wait long. The door slammed, and heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Within moments, her brother-in-law appeared at the doorway, his smirk as sharp as a blade.

“Well, well,” Asher drawled, leaning against the frame with mock casualness. “If it isn’t the Alpha’s charity case.”

Amelia stiffened but didn’t stop folding her clothes. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

“Selling things now?” He continued, nodding toward the box. “What’s next? A roadside stall? Or are you finally leaving this place for good?”

She calmly folded another blouse, her hands steady. “I don’t see how it concerns you, Asher.”

“It concerns me because I’ve spent the last three years watching you embarrass this pack,” he snapped, his tone turning cold. "Now that Bridgette is back, why don't you go back to where you truly belong?"

Amelia paused, her hands gripping the fabric in her lap. For years, she’d swallowed every insult Asher threw her way just to honor the deal she had with Aunt Camille, but now she didn't need to endure any of it anymore. The contract was done and she was leaving soon.

“You’re right,” she said quietly, meeting his gaze for the first time. “I don’t belong here." She smirked, making Asher's eyes widen in shock. He didn't anticipate her response to be like that. Usually, Amelia would just bow her head and receive insults.

Her calmness seemed to unnerve him. Asher’s smirk faltered before he recovered. “Good riddance,” he muttered. Then, as if on cue, another car pulled up, this one far too familiar.

Amelia didn’t need to know who stepped out. She could feel the shift in the air, the way the energy around the house seemed to change.

“Looks like someone’s back where she belongs,” Asher said, his smirk returning.

Amelia turned her head as Bridgette emerged from the car. The woman was stunning, with flowing auburn hair and delicate, poised air. She carried herself like a Luna returning to her throne, her every movement graceful and deliberate.

Bridgette smiled warmly as she approached the house, her soft voice carrying up the steps. “Asher, it’s so good to see you again.”

“Bridgette,” Asher greeted, his tone dripping with affection. “It’s about time you came back. Things haven’t been the same without you.”

Amelia stepped aside as they exchanged pleasantries, feeling more invisible than ever. But then, Asher turned his attention back to her, his eyes gleaming with malice.

“Amelia,” he said with mock sweetness, “why don’t you help Bridgette with her luggage? It’s the least you can do.”

For a moment, the room felt still, as if the very house was holding its breath. Amelia met Asher’s gaze, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she straightened, her eyes flicking to Bridgette, who stood awkwardly by the door.

“No,” Amelia uttered, firm and composed.

Asher’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Amelia picked up her suitcase and walked past them without another word.

It wasn’t long before Adam arrived. The familiar growl of his engine made Amelia pause at the top of the stairs, her suitcase in hand. She descended slowly, her steps measured as she watched him step into the pack house.

Adam’s face lit up when he saw Bridgette, his smile wider than it had been in years. “You’re here,” he said warmly, pulling her into a brief hug.

Bridgette smiled shyly, glancing at Amelia as though hesitant. “I hope I’m not imposing,” she said softly.

“Not at all,” Adam reassured her quickly. “You can stay here as long as you need while the renovations are done. Amelia won’t mind, will you?”

He turned to Amelia, his expression expectant.

In the past, this moment would have set her heart racing with fury and jealousy. She had mastered the art of playing the part—acting heartbroken, pained, and possessive—just as everyone expected a devoted Luna to be. It was how she fooled them into believing she truly loved him.

But now, she didn’t need to pretend anymore. Not for him, not for anyone.

“Of course not,” she said, a small, composed smile playing on her lips. “I’m happy to help.”

Adam blinked, caught off guard. Asher, standing nearby, shifted uncomfortably, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. In the past, even the mere mention of Bridgette’s name would have triggered Amelia’s anger or jealousy. Yet here Bridgette was, standing right in front of her, and Amelia looked entirely unaffected.

For a moment, the room felt heavy with unspoken questions. Adam’s gaze lingered on her, puzzled, while Asher frowned, as though trying to decipher the shift in her demeanor.

Amelia caught their reactions and felt a quiet amusement bubbling within her. She almost laughed at their stunned expressions, their inability to comprehend the calm in her voice, and the indifference in her gaze.

It was funny, really—how she had once played this part so convincingly, bending herself into someone she wasn’t for the sake of appearances. But now, none of it mattered. She would be leaving soon, free from this charade.