Ceres's POV

Richard abruptly hung up after saying his piece. I stared blankly at the cellphone, completely gobsmacked by his words. Did he despise me so much that he would actually take it out on all the members of staff in my department?

“What’s wrong, babe? What did he say?”

Jasmine asked.

I tilted my head in her direction and told her exactly what Richard had said.

Anger flared in her eyes. “Has he gone nuts? What kind of a man is that, Ceres? How did you ever get yourself to fall in love with a narcissist like him?”

I drew in a deep breath and exhaled.

“You’ll have to head back to your apartment, babe. I need to go sort this out,” I said.

“No way! I’m coming with you!” Jasmine's anger was palpable.

I held her hand and pleaded, “Please, babe, let me do this by myself. I’ll see you in a few hours, alright?”

She heaved a sigh and reluctantly agreed. “Alright, but if you need me, don’t hesitate to call.”

I nodded with a smile and left her car, then hailed a taxi. I arrived at Winston’s Corporation in less than an hour. After paying the driver, I made my way into the towering skyscraper that loomed over the city.

Earlier, I had called that particular reporter, knowing he would contact Richard and report me to him. I had done it in hopes of getting Richard to come to the court. Little did I know he would instead threaten to fire my subordinates if I didn't shoe up to work.

I walked through the glass doors with my head held high. The members of staff froze when they saw me. None of them had expected me to show up so soon, especially with all the rumors swirling about my marital troubles with their Alpha. The gossip had spread like wildfire.

My sharp ears picked up on their whispers.

“Luna Ceres really has no shame coming to work after all her secrets have been brought to light,” one said.

“She actually looks different in that sexy knee-length gown she’s wearing,” another added.

“She’s probably trying to compete with the Alpha’s new mistress—you know, the mother of his illegitimate son.”

Their hurtful words were like a sharp dagger piercing through my soul, but I chose to ignore them. Instead, I focused on the reason I was there.

Without wasting time, I stormed up to Richard's office, clutching the divorce papers and my resignation letter tightly in my hands. I wasn’t here for pleasantries. I wanted out of this pack and this toxic bond as soon as possible.

When I got to Richard's office, I didn’t bother knocking. I just pushed the door open and let myself in with the force of a storm.

What I saw made my blood boil.

Anita was hugging Richard tightly, her blue eyes tearful. As soon as she saw me, she smiled and sniffled, hugging Richard even tighter. It appeared as though Richard was offering her some comfort and solace.

“Pretentious fox!” Elsa, my wolf, snarled in my head.

I clenched my fists in fury. I didn’t expect to see her here, but then again, it wasn’t all that surprising since they had a child together.

Richard, who had his back to me, sensed my presence and tilted his head in my direction. His eyes were cold as he stared at me.

Gradually releasing Anita from his embrace, he turned fully, facing me.

I stepped forward, my lips curling in disdain as I spoke in a sharp voice. “I had originally intended to conclude the divorce proceedings first before tendering my resignation letter, but it appears I’ll have to do the latter first.”

Richard’s blue eyes turned icy cold as he glared at me, his hands sliding into his pant pockets. His perfectly pressed shirt and composed demeanor only added to the frigid aura surrounding him.

“Aren’t you worried that your little stunt will cost your team their positions?” he asked, his tone dripping with indifference.

Was he seriously still pulling that card—firing my team members, knowing I’d trained them myself and cared deeply about them?

I scoffed and raised a brow, my defiance unshaken as I replied, “If you fire them, I’ll take every single one of them with me. They deserve far better than to serve under someone like you.”

The room fell into a tense silence for a moment.

My eyes shifted to Anita, who had averted her gaze and was smiling faintly. When her gaze met mine again, she grabbed her bag from the desk, pulled out a velvet box, and approached me.

“Ceres,” she said softly, “I found out quite late yesterday that it was the third anniversary of your mating ceremony with Richard. I’m sorry he was busy taking care of Lucky and me to even remember.”

A wicked smile flashed across her face. “But don’t worry. I went with him to a jewelry store yesterday evening to pick out this gift for you. I hope you like it.”

Now standing just a few inches from me, she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper only I could hear. “By the way, I have a necklace just like this one. Richard picked it out for me first.”

Elsa, my wolf surged angrily within me, wanting to surface as rage coursed through my entire being.

Anita stared at me intently, her sinister smile clearly a bid to provoke me further. Then, with a dramatic jerk, she extended her hand, presenting the gift.

Richard had prepared a gift with her and even gotten her the same one? The absurdity of it made me feel sick, as though I’d stepped into the filthiest den imaginable.

Without hesitation, I knocked the box out of Anita’s hands, the sharp sound of it hitting the floor echoing in the room.

“Save it, Anita,” I said coldly. “I know exactly the kind of snake you are, and I don’t need any gift from either of you.”

Anita’s eyes widened, tears springing to them as she sobbed. “I know you’re angry with me because of what happened yesterday, and I totally understand, but please don’t take it out on my innocent child, Lucky. Please take him into his father’s pack and raise him as your own child.”

Her sobs grew louder, filling the room.

Richard glared at me coldly. “What are you doing, Ceres?”

His eyes shifted to the gift box on the floor, then back to Anita, who was still sobbing. His gaze turned on me, fierce and angry.

“How dare you try to bully her right in front of me?”

Anita immediately went to him, clinging to his arm, her eyes filled with tears as she whimpered, “Ceres has every right to be mad at me, Richard. It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t like the gift I chose for her. All I beg is for her to treat our child, Lucky, like her own. I never intended to ruin your marriage.”

Richard’s blue eyes glinted with cold fury as he turned his gaze on me, his expression unreadable but charged with authority.

I folded my arms, watching Anita’s pitiful display with a mix of disgust and dark amusement. I couldn’t help but be impressed by how skilled she was at playing the victim card.

A few seconds later, I said in an icy tone, glaring at Anita, “You became Richard’s mistress, bore an illegitimate child, and now you’re pretending to be the victim? It’s almost impressive how shameless you are.”

Her pale face became even more ashen, and she leaned weakly against Richard’s chest, sobbing profusely.

Richard’s jaw tightened, and his angry eyes glared at me as he warned in a low and menacing tone, “Watch it, Ceres! Don’t be harsh toward Anita. She is not the other woman. You’d better show her some respect!”

His words struck me like a blow, but I refused to flinch. Instead, I let out a bitter laugh, my sharp gaze locking onto Richard’s. “Respect her? Does she even deserve it?”

My words were laced with venom, but my heart ached seeing the man I once loved defending Anita as though she were his mate and priority. That made me feel like the villain who had intruded on their union.

An unreadable emotion flashed across his eyes. Anita’s pathetic sobs, which had grown louder, drew his attention back to her, and I could tell in that moment that he felt sorry for her.

His gaze shifted back to mine, and he ordered in a firm voice, “Apologize to Anita now!”

I scoffed in disbelief. “Apologize?” I asked, utterly surprised. Had I perhaps heard him correctly? Did he really just ask me to apologize to his mistress?

I was still trying to wrap my head around that when Anita, the opportunist, took a cup from the desk and approached me. I wondered what she was about to do.

In a sweet, small voice, she said, “Ceres, I should be the one apologizing to you.”

She extended the cup toward me. There was coffee inside. I saw through her ploy before she could carry it out. She wanted to douse me with the coffee.

In an instant, my primal instincts kicked in, and I dodged backward with a fluidity that was almost unnatural, avoiding the spill. Anger coursed through me, and without thinking twice, I landed a resounding slap across Anita’s face.

Clap!

The slap echoed through the room, followed by the sharp sound of the cup shattering on the floor.

Anita staggered, her head snapping to the side, as a red welt bloomed across her pale cheek. Tears streamed down her face as she covered the mark with trembling fingers, her wide eyes filling with terror…

Ceres's POV

I shook my numb hand, feeling an indescribable level of satisfaction.

Rage flashed through Richard’s eyes as he glared at me in disbelief. His eyes burned a flaming red as he shielded Anita behind him.

“Have you lost your mind, Ceres?” Richard growled, his voice filled with fury and carrying a slightly inhuman edge.

I stood my ground. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, clawing to emerge.

Since yesterday, something had awakened inside me—a force I could no longer suppress. It prevented me from taking any form of bullshit from anyone.

For three years, I had lived like a fool, doing only things that would please my mate, hoping he’d love me even half as much as I loved him. But now, the scales had fallen from my eyes. I could finally see the truth—he was never going to love me.

With a scornful expression, I faced Richard’s angry gaze and threw the resignation letter and divorce papers at him.

“Shame on you, Richard! You manipulated the pack, twisted public opinion, and even used your influence over the council to slander me. Did you really think I’d forget? That I’d let it slide? You disgust me!”

I smirked coldly and stepped forward, covering the distance between us with a confidence that made Richard slightly uneasy.

Grabbing his collar, I yanked him closer with force. My green eyes locked onto his blue ones, burning with a mix of rage and defiance.

“Alpha Richard,” I said mockingly, my voice dripping with venom, “if you want to avoid a full-blown scandal, sign the agreement and grant me a peaceful divorce. Otherwise, I’ll bring every dark secret of the Winston family to light—especially yours.”

I released him abruptly, the sharp tug of his collar causing a ripple in his perfectly pressed shirt.

Disgusted at the sight of him, I turned on my heel and strode out of the office, my wolf howling in triumph within my mind.

As soon as I left, my colleagues surrounded me. Their expressions were filled with concern and sympathy.

“Luna Ceres,” one of them began hesitantly, “you’ve sacrificed so much for Alpha Richard. Are you really going to let the other woman take your place?”

“That’s right,” another chimed in. “Martins mentioned they’re assigning Anita to the Chief Secretary’s office. Are they trying to push you out?”

A tall, lanky girl huffed in frustration. “Alpha Richard must be blind. In terms of intelligence and beauty, that lady is nothing compared to you, Luna!”

The title “Luna” felt hollow now—a reminder of the role I had tried to fill for a pack that no longer felt like mine.

I shook my head at them and advised in a firm tone, “Don’t worry about me, guys. It would be insanity not to give up on this so-called marriage after everything that has come to light, don’t you think?”

I flashed them a nonchalant smile.

“Oh, and one more thing,” I added. “If Richard wants to take out his anger on you by sending you away, know that you can always come to me. I will make jobs available to you all. I promise.”

They stared at me in surprise, as though wondering why I spoke so boldly. After all, they knew me—or so they thought.

Truth is, they knew nothing about me but soon, they would all find out just who I am.

After working with them for years, I had come to develop a strong bond with each one of them. If Richard decided to let them go, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to my father’s company.

I quickly said my goodbyes and left the Corporation with my belongings without looking back.

I was absolutely done with Richard and everything that concerned him. It was time to start living for myself.

Richard's POV

I remained rooted in place, staring at Ceres’s retreating figure with furrowed brows, as she left my office. A complicated mix of emotions swirled within me—anger, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite name.

My heart pounded fast against my ribcage, and my wolf—usually calm and controlled—paced restlessly in my mind, unsettled by Ceres's fiery defiance.

Our union had been one of convenience, a bond that brought stability to the pack and served my ambitions. She had been obedient, reliable, and resourceful—everything a leader could want in a mate.

But now, watching her transform before my eyes, I realized I had grossly underestimated her.

The obedient mate I thought I knew had shed her sheep's clothing, revealing her untamed wolf. She was now fearless, bold, and rational—qualities I found both infuriating and strangely alluring.

Her icy cold gaze replayed in my mind, making me feel quite uneasy. Why would she assume I bribed the media to slander her? Where did that come from?

Anita, standing close to me, cautiously reached out, touching my arm. Tears glistened in her eyes as she spoke softly, “Richard, should I find an opportunity to explain everything to Ceres?”

I heaved a sigh and gradually removed her hand from my arm, my lips pressed together at the sight of her swollen face.

“No need. Don’t blame her,” I said.

Her face turned pale at my words, but she weakly smiled, nodding in understanding. “Of course, I won’t.”

Later, after I had dismissed Anita, I went to my swivel chair and sat down. Still disturbed by what Ceres had said, I pulled out my iPad and searched the trending news.

There it was—a list of unsettling rumors about her. I clenched my fists in anger and tossed my iPad onto the desk. The things circulating in the media about Ceres were untrue. She was never promiscuous before I met her. I would know because I’m the one who deflowered her.

I immediately dialed Martins’ line. “Come to my office now!” I commanded.

A few seconds later, Martins was standing before me.

“Have you seen this?” I asked, gesturing to my iPad.

He glanced at it, his hands behind his back. His gaze shifted back to me, and he stuttered, “I saw it not quite long ago, Alpha.”

I leaned back in my chair, trying to control my temper. “Have you found out who is behind it?”

He nodded in response. “Upon investigating the matter, I found out it was the PR manager who was behind it.”

I ran a hand through my hair and took deep breaths. “Bring him to me now!”

Martins scurried out of my office and came back moments later with the PR manager, who tried to explain the situation.

“Alpha, you specifically ordered us not to involve your son, Lucky, in any rumors. To protect him, we had to divert attention to Luna Ceres’s past.”

Upon hearing his words, rage coursed through me. My wolf surfaced, and within seconds, I had the PR Manager pinned to the wall, my hand around his neck.

“How dare you publish such lies about your Luna?” I growled.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He looked absolutely petrified, his voice trembling as he spoke. “Alpha Richard, someone sent the news anonymously to us. Your child's mother, Ms. Anita, also urged us to protect Lucky at all costs.”

“And you published it without running it through me or my beta first?” I snarled.

“I... I thought you’d be okay with it, seeing that she publicly humiliated you yesterday,” he stammered, his fear evident.

My fury deepened. Glaring at the man, I fought the urge—spurred by my angry wolf—to strangle him to death. After much struggle, I finally released my grip around his neck and spat coldly, “You are fired! Take your things and leave the premises immediately!”

He immediately fell to his knees, begging profusely. “Alpha Richard, please don’t fire me! It was an honest mistake. Please, I didn’t know they were all lies. You have to believe me!”

Hardening my heart to his pleas, I had my security men throw him out of my office.

Turning to Martins, i commanded, “Make sure every rumor about Ceres is pulled down from the internet before the end of today!”.

Ceres's POV

Two days later, before I could wait for Richard's phone call agreeing to the divorce, I received a call from the doctor at the pack's hospital.

“Luna Ceres,” he said gently, “this is a reminder for your pregnancy check-up. We haven't seen you since the initial appointment.”

I froze. The words sank in like a stone. It was in that moment I remembered—I was pregnant.

My hand instinctively rested on my stomach. The old me would have seen this as a blessing from the Moon Goddess, one that would solidify my relationship with Richard forever, an unbreakable bond in a world that often felt unstable.

But now?

Richard had another pup with his ex-girlfriend, Anita. What would mine mean to him? Would they simply be another pawn in his game, another piece in his carefully constructed empire?

Elsa whined softly in my mind as I contemplated the best course of action. Should I keep the child, or should I have it removed? I heaved a sigh as I stared into my mirror, my eyes hardening with resolve. I had a choice to make, and whatever it was, it would be mine and mine alone.

Later on, I went to the hospital without telling Jasmine.

In the ward, the pack doctor examined me. Picking up on my hesitation, he spoke gently, “The pup is developing very well, Luna. If you do not want to proceed with this pregnancy, the decision should be made soon.”

I nodded and smiled weakly. “Alright. I will think about it.”

Just before I left, I met the doctor again and pleaded, “Please, doctor, I would like the news of my pregnancy to stay between the both of us.”

He looked at me with pitiful eyes and nodded. “You have my word, Luna. I won’t let the Alpha know about it. I understand the situation you are in right now.”

“Thank you,” I muttered, blinking away the tears that stung my eyes at his kind words.

I left the ward and walked toward the gate of the hospital, lost in thought, my head slightly lowered.

I was so deep in thought I didn’t notice the small child running toward me until he collided with my leg and fell to the ground.

He immediately clutched his forehead, letting out a whimper of distress.

I instinctively bent down to help him up when I realized who it was. My eyes widened in shock. It was none other than Lucky, Richard's son.

Before I could react, a familiar voice that grated on my nerves rang out.

“Lucky!”

Anita appeared, rushing over in feigned panic. She threw a glance at me before scooping the boy into her arms. Her tone turned shrill as she began to cry, attracting the attention of people around.

The next moment, Richard stormed over. His sleeves were rolled up, and his expression was icy and severe. His presence filled the air, sending tension through the crowd that began to disperse upon seeing him.

With fake tears in her eyes, Anita cried, “Ceres, please, I am sorry! Don’t hurt Lucky. He is only a two-year-old child. He did nothing wrong, please.”

I could not believe my ears. It was so ridiculous hearing her say that. Was she really this much of an evil drama queen?

The scene made Richard’s expression turn livid, and his cold eyes rested on me.

I was tired of dealing with her unwarranted fake tantrums.

Richard took Lucky from Anita's arms and comforted him tenderly with a loving gaze, which turned cold and sharp as it shifted to me. His lips upturned in a frown.

“Why are you here? Are you following us?” he asked.

My heart skipped a beat at his words, not in fear, but in sheer annoyance.

I scoffed. “Don't flatter yourself, Richard. Why would I waste my time following you?” I replied sharply, my tone cold as steel.

Lucky, who was now clinging to his father's shirt, buried his head in Richard’s neck, his cries fading. Watching the child find comfort in Richard's arms stirred irritation within me. Knowing the purpose of my visit made everything even worse.

It felt almost as though my airways were blocked, making it difficult to breathe.

Pain flared in my lower abdomen, and my wolf recoiled. The strain of suppressing my emotions, combined with my pregnancy, was taking its toll on me.

Anita, ever the actress, softened her voice, but the accusation was evident in her words as she spoke, “Lucky had a fever. Richard and I decided to bring him to the hospital so the pack doctor could check him out. But when we turned around, he was gone. I didn’t expect to find you here, Ceres. What exactly were you doing to him?”

The insinuation in her voice was crystal clear. She was accusing me of trying to harm or take her child.

I flared up at her words and sneered angrily. “He bumped into me himself! I didn’t even touch him! Surveillance cameras are a great invention, Anita. Use your common sense! Look at the footage before accusing me of something I didn’t do!”

Her face instantly stiffened, and her sobs halted.

The look on her face showed she had clearly forgotten about the surveillance cameras, with which her accusations would be dismantled.

Her lips parted, and before she could sputter out a reply, I turned away, clutching tightly to my bag.

My heightened senses picked up on Richard’s words to Anita. “Take him and wait here for me,” he instructed.

Next, I heard his measured footsteps coming in my direction. I increased my pace, not wanting to be anywhere near him.

I had already booked a ride, so I glanced around to see if I could spot it, but it was nowhere in sight. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist angrily as I sensed Richard now behind me.

His voice reached me, his tone cold. “Why did you come to the hospital? Are you sick?”