Nathan's POV

I pushed open the bedroom door, and was hit by a cold wind which swirled wildly in the room. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, a low growl rumbling in my chest as I took in the empty room.

My gaze was drawn to the source of the wind, the windows. They were wide open, curtains thrashing in the storm.

I crossed the room in two strides and slammed the window shut, my claws threatening to break through as the frame rattled under my grip. The wind ceased instantly.

My pulse thundered in my ears. Why does it feel like something's missing? I told myself I didn't care, that she meant nothing to me. She was just another traitor, one who'd sold me out and spat on the name of the Hemsworth family and Ironclaw pack.

Still, I found myself staring at the bed. The deep gray sheets where she used to sleep. My hand rose to my temple, rubbing away the dull ache pulsing behind my eyes.

"She made her choice by staying away," I muttered under my breath, my voice low and rough. "If anything happens to her out there, it's her own doing."

Just then, a faint familiar scent drifted through the air—Lavender and dark honey. Even with the wind's interference, I knew it instantly. It was her scent, Aria's.

My jaw clenched. The darkness in me coiled tighter. "Who's been in this room?" I barked in a sharp voice, "Guards!".

Aria's POV

The night air bit into my skin as the old gate behind Hemsworth Villa creaked open. Every sound felt too loud, too dangerous. Sandra's trembling hand guided me through the narrow passage hidden behind the thorned hedges.

My arms tightened protectively around the small bundle in my arms, my daughter. My little wolf.

Lana stirred softly but didn't cry, as if even in sleep she sensed my fear. The moonlight brushed her tiny face, peaceful and unaware of the chaos we were escaping.

I held her closer, breathing in her faint, sweet scent to steady myself. The chill of the night couldn't touch the warmth she brought me.

"Thank you, Sandra," I whispered, my voice rough from exhaustion and the tears I'd long since run out of. "For everything tonight."

The old housekeeper's eyes glistened. "Don't thank me, Luna Aria. If you hadn't given me that job years ago, I'd never have survived in this city."

She dabbed her eyes with the edge of her sleeve. "You've been through too much already. Are you sure you won't stay?"

I couldn't meet her gaze. My wolf stirred weakly inside me, wounded and silent after months of confinement. I'd been caged like a criminal, branded a traitor to my own mate, to my pack.

My voice was quiet when I replied, "He destroyed my life, Sandra. All I want now is freedom. A fresh start."

Sandra nodded, her lips trembling. "Did you get everything you needed?"

I touched the bag slung over my shoulder. My ID, passport, cards, and the three million I'd earned back when I was still a respected lawyer—before Nathan ruined my name, my career, my life. I'd taken only what was mine. Not a single coin of his cursed wealth.

"Yes," I said softly, though I was a bit uncertain because just before I'd escaped, I'd heard him shut the door of his study and knew he was approaching. My heart had nearly stopped. I'd barely climbed through the window with Sandra's help, not wanting to be discovered.

Goddess, what if he already knew I'd been there? What if the scent masking potion I had taken several hours ago had worn off?.

A cold wave of dread rolled down my spine.

Sandra must have seen the panic flash across my face, because she gave me a small, brave nod and pushed me gently toward the gate.

"Don't be afraid. If anything comes up, I'll cover for you. What Alpha Nathan did to you was cruel beyond words. I couldn't bear to see it." Her voice cracked. "Go now, Luna Aria. Take care of your daughter."

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I blinked them away. "Sandra… I need to ask you one more thing." I wanted to tell her not to breathe a word of what happened to anyone. No one should know that I have a child, especially Nathan.

She understood before I could finish. "Don't worry. Tonight, I never saw you."

The gate closed with a soft click, like the end of a lifetime. Through the narrow gap, I caught a last glimpse of her wrinkled hand waving at me, a silent blessing in the dark.

I turned toward the road, clutching Lana as the wind carried the scent of roses. Petals drifted around us, catching in my hair.

We're free, I told myself, though my heart still trembled. Free at last.

I quickened my pace toward the waiting cab. The guards wouldn't check the back road, not this late.

I climbed into the car, my heart pounding as the villa faded in the rearview mirror. Lana slept soundly against my chest, her tiny fingers curling around the fabric of my coat.

I turned my face away from Hemsworth Villa, from the man who'd once been my mate, my Alpha, my ruin.

Nathan Hemsworth, I thought, as the city lights swallowed us whole, may the Moon Goddess ensure our paths never cross again.

Nathan's POV

Aria's scent still lingered in the air when my men returned to the bedroom. I stood by the window, staring out into the ink-black night, my wolf restless beneath my skin.

"Sir," one of the guards said, his tone cautious. "We've checked the entire villa, reviewed the cameras. No trace of Luna Aria. But we did find this."

He handed me a tablet. A grainy clip flickered on the screen, movement near Aria's bedroom. It was a woman, one of the house keepers.

I clenched my jaw as the guard continued, "We've detained the woman in the footage. Her name is Sandra Keith. Here's her background."

The file slipped from his hand into mine. Sandra. The old maid who'd served this house for years. She was loyal, quiet and unassuming.

Minutes later, I was standing in her quarters. The small room smelled of dust. She flinched when my men entered, twisting her arms behind her back.

"The footage shows you near Luna Aria's bedroom ten minutes before items went missing," one of the guards said, his voice clipped.

Sandra stammered something, her pulse racing so fast I could hear it. My wolf pushed against my skin, demanding control, wanting to bare its fangs. Where is she? it snarled in my head. Where did she take her?

I stepped forward, and the air shifted instantly. My presence filled the room with Alpha energy.

"Enough," I muttered. "Let her go."

The guards obeyed instantly.

Sandra exhaled shakily, probably thinking the worst had passed. But she didn't understand. I wasn't angry about the missing items. I didn't give a damn about jewelry or papers. What mattered was the scent still lingering in Aria's room.

I crouched in front of her, my voice low, "Tell me… did she come back?"

Her pupils dilated. Her heartbeat stuttered. Lies formed before her lips even moved. "I—I don't know what you're talking about, Alpha. I haven't seen anyone tonight."

I tilted my head, studying her trembling hands. My wolf growled softly inside me. She was lying. I could smell it, her fear and guilt thick in the air like smoke.

"Sandra," I said quietly, almost conversationally, "you have a daughter in Sunnyville, don't you?"

Her breath hitched.

"Married five years, first child on the way. Her husband finally got promoted after six years in that tiny company." I smiled faintly, but my tone cut like a blade. "What do you think will happen to them when I end his career tomorrow morning? When your daughter loses the life she's built because you couldn't tell me the truth?"

Her lips parted in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. I straightened slowly, letting the weight of my words crush the air between us.

"Your daughter's happiness… or your silence." I let my gaze pierce hers. "Choose."

A faint whimper escaped her. The room reeked of fear, her fear.

"P-please…" she stammered. "Don't hurt my daughter. I'll tell you everything."

My wolf's growl softened, a dark satisfaction curling in my chest.

"Where is Aria?" I asked, my voice no louder than a whisper. "Did you help her leave?"

Her tears fell freely now. She nodded and gave me details of what happened. Aria had come back and taken some of her valuables with her.

When Sandra was done, she collapsed to the floor, her sobs echoing faintly through the hall. I stood there, watching her shake and plead. "I've told you everything," she cried, her voice hoarse. "Please, Alpha—don't hurt Luna Aria. She's suffered enough already—"

I felt my jaw tighten. Suffered enough?

My lips curved into a cold, humorless sneer. "Being my wife wasn't enough for her?" I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "She wants to run from me? Fine. Let's see how far she makes it."

I turned and left. The security team retreated too.

Moments later, I was in my study. My beta stood by the door, hesitant. I could smell the unease rolling off him.

"Alpha Nathan" he began carefully, "should we… bring Luna Aria back?"

I turned my gaze on him. My eyes glowing with my wolf's fury.

"No need, I have had a change of heart" I said, flicking a dismissive hand. "If she wants to run, let her. Freeze her accounts, her cards, every cent she has. I want to see how long she survives without me."

A sharp crack split the silence, the pen in my hand had snapped clean in two. Ink bled over my fingers like black venom.

"She'll come crawling back," I muttered. "Begging."

Collins hesitated, his voice cautious. "But, sir… Sandra said Luna Aria has nothing. If we cut her off completely, how will she manage? Where will she even stay tonight?"

I turned on him sharply, my eyes glowing faintly now. "What, you feel sorry for her?" The snarl slipped out before I could stop it. "No food, no roof, no help—that's her choice. Since when is pity part of your job, Collins?"

He flinched. "No, sir. I just thought, perhaps—it might be too harsh."

I laughed—a hollow, brittle sound that even my wolf didn't recognize. "Harsh?" I stepped closer, the air rippling faintly with my aura.

"When she sold my company's secrets to the Cowen group, did she think about how that would destroy me? Did she think about the lives depending on my leadership? She made her choices, Collins. Now she'll live with them."

Aria's POV

"We're here at Shevron Estates, ma'am" the Uber driver said, his voice muffled under the low sound of the engine.

The car rolled to a stop before the tall wrought-iron gates of a luxury community. I glanced out the window, my heart pounding.

Little Lana stirred in my arms, letting out a soft whimper. Her tiny body wriggled against me, and I immediately knew something was wrong. One touch confirmed it—her diaper was soaked through.

"Oh, sweetheart…" I whispered, cradling her closer. The night air carried the chill of early frost, and the thought of her catching cold sent dread through me like claws scraping bone. I couldn't let her fall ill, not after everything we'd survived.

My little one shifted again, pressing her warm cheek against my chest. I brushed her hair back gently, breathing in her faint, milky scent.

We'd barely had anything left when I walked out of that prison. No diapers. Half a can of formula. The guards hadn't cared. The other inmates had sneered when I begged for supplies.

I swallowed hard at the memory and whispered to my baby, "We'll be okay, Lana. Mommy's got you."

Before heading into the estate, I stopped by the high-end baby boutique near the gate. The lights were still on. As soon as I stepped inside, a clerk hurried forward towards me.

"It's freezing out, ma'am! Bringing your little one shopping in this weather?" she exclaimed, concern flashing in her eyes. "Come in—tell me what you need, and I'll have it all packed for you!"

I adjusted Lana in my arms. "Three packs of size 3 diapers," I said softly. "Two cans each of infant and follow-up formula. And those cotton onesies—one of each design in six to nine months."

As I spoke, the clerk's eyes widened. She recognized me, I realized. Earlier that day, she and her coworker had whispered when I walked through these doors, wondering if I was some man's mistress or a desperate woman chasing acknowledgement for her child.

But when I'd given my name—Aria Grayson, owner of Unit 3B, Shevron Estates, their faces had gone pale with disbelief.

I shifted my mask slightly, hiding more of my face. The air from the vent brushed the side of my cheek, making the scar beneath my mask burn.

For a moment, I remembered the old me—the proud attorney and Luna to one of the most powerful Alpha's in our country.

"Sorry," I murmured, noticing the growing pile of items on the counter. "Is this too much?"

The question slipped out before I could stop it. Prison had taught me humility, how to read the exhaustion in others' faces, how to shrink myself to survive.

Once, I would've handed over a platinum card without a thought. Now, I hesitated, afraid of being a burden.

The clerk blinked, then smiled brightly, "Not at all, ma'am! It's perfect. Anything else you need? I'll pack everything up for you right away."

"That's all for now, thank you," I said softly, adjusting Lana in my arms. She let out a tiny sigh, her warm breath brushing against my collarbone.

"How would you like to pay?" the clerk asked politely.

"Card, please."

I pulled out my gold-trimmed bank card. As long as I had this, my daughter wouldn't go without. My thumb brushed along the embossed letters of my name. It used to symbolize power, success, security… all the things I'd once built with my own two hands. I handed it over to the clerk.

"That'll be 9,645 dollars, ma'am. One moment, please."

The clerk swiped the card. A sharp beep echoed through the quiet store. Declined.

I frowned, my wolf stirring uneasily beneath my skin.

She tried again, and again and again. Each failed attempt sounded like a hammer blow against my chest.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but this card is being declined. Do you perhaps have another one?"

Cold dread seeped into my veins, heavier than the winter air outside. I dug into my bag with trembling fingers, pulling out more cards. "Try these, please," I said quickly.

Each card bore the memory of a victory, bonuses from high-profile cases, rewards for sleepless nights and endless trials. Every stripe swiped was another memory shredded to pieces.

One by one, the machine beeped. Denied. Denied. Denied.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the clerk said again, her tone faltering. "None of these are going through."

I felt my wolf bristle, rage pulsing through me. He did this. Nathan. He'd cut me off completely. The bastard hadn't just taken my freedom, he'd stripped away my means to survive.

The clerk hesitated, pity flickering in her eyes. "Do you have another card, ma'am?"

I shook my head, my throat closing. "No... these are all I have."

"And these items…" she began gently.

"I can't take them," I said, forcing a weak smile that felt more like a grimace. "Thank you."

The weight of humiliation pressed down as I turned away.

All my accounts... frozen? The thought clawed at me. That money was mine. Mine. I'd earned it through my blood and intellect. And yet, one man had the power to take it all away with a single order.

"Wait, ma'am!"

I stopped, clutching Lana closer.

"Your baby's crying," the clerk said gently. "She might be hungry or need a change. We have some sample packs—why don't you take them for now?"

I glanced down. Lana's tiny face scrunched, her whimpers soft. The sound tore through me worse than any silver blade ever could. I kissed her forehead. "It's okay, my little star," I whispered.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the store's baby care room. Lana was quiet again, swaddled and fed.

"Here," the clerk said, handing me a bag. "Some sample packs of diapers, a few cans of formula—leftovers from promotions. Take them for your little one."

I hesitated. My pride howled in protest. My wolf hated the idea of charity, hated appearing weak. But the mother in me silenced her. I could go hungry. I could freeze. But Lana couldn't.

"Thank you," I managed, voice trembling. My eyes stung. Nathan had dragged me to this, reduced me to someone begging for scraps. Yet a stranger had shown me more kindness than my supposed mate.

"No need to thank me," the clerk smiled. "I don't have kids yet, but… I can tell you love her. It's freezing—get home soon. Whatever you're going through, stay strong for your daughter."

Her words echoed long after I stepped back into the night. The wind bit at my cheeks, my wolf stirring beneath my skin to shield us from the cold.

I pulled Lana closer, my arms tightening protectively around her tiny form. "I'll keep you safe," I whispered into her soft hair. "No matter what."

But as I looked up at the looming towers of Shevron Estates, despair gnawed at me. With no money, no resources, and nowhere to turn, even my wolf couldn't quiet the question echoing in my mind,

How are we supposed to survive now?