Katie woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand.

She groggily reached for it. Then rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The screen lit up.

A string of missed calls from Liam.

She sighed, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She had been avoiding him all night, but she knew she couldn't ignore him forever.

She picked up the call, her voice husky from sleep. "Hello?"

"Katie, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all night!" Liam's voice was laced with concern and frustration.

Katie sat up in bed, her back straightening. "I've been busy," she said curtly, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"Busy? You've been avoiding me, haven't you?" Liam's tone turned accusatory.

Katie's grip on the phone tightened. "I've already packed my things and left, Liam. What more do you want?"

"Come back home, Katie. Let's talk this out. It's just a misunderstanding," he pleaded.

His voice softened.

Katie raised an eyebrow. "What is there to talk about,hmm?"

He sounded desperate.

"This year’s pack gala, Katie. You know how much work you've put into it. How can you just leave now, two days before the event? I need your help to host it. You're the one who's been driving this project forward,"

Katie's eyes narrowed.

He needed her help?

That was rich. "What about my birthday celebration?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Well I would make it up to you, I promise. Just come back home and let's work together to make this gala a success. We'll celebrate your birthday when you get back," Liam said, his voice smooth as silk.

Katie's thoughts turned to the mate bond dissolution papers she needed him to sign. That was the real reason she was going back. She didn't care about the gala. Or her birthday celebration.

She just needed him to sign those papers.

"Okay, fine. I'll be home," she said, trying to sound convincing.

Liam's voice perked up. "I'll send a car for you. See you soon."

Katie hung up the phone. Then tossed it aside.

She had played along, but she knew she was in control.

She would get the papers signed. Then freedom.

Just then, Lucian walked into the room with a cup of steaming hot tea. "Hey, you, I brought you some tea. You look like you could use it,"

She took the cup from him gratefully. "Thanks, Lucian. I think I'm going to head back home,"

His eyes widened. "You're going back to him? Are you crazy?"

Katie sighed. "I need him to sign those papers. It's the only way I'll be free."

Lucian's expression softened. "I understand, but are you sure you're ready for this? He's not going to make it easy for you."

Katie's jaw set. “I’m ready. I actually have a plan."

Lucian's expression turned serious, his brow furrowed in concern. "Okay, so what's gonna happen now?"

Katie whispered in his ears.

Lucian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alright, I'll send someone to drive you back to the house. You should be safe."

Katie nodded.

The drive back to the house was quiet. Her thoughts raced.

When she arrived, Liam rushed over to her, his arms open wide. "Katie, I'm so glad you're back! I've missed you so much!"

Katie sidestepped him, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "Let's focus on the celebration, Liam. We don't have much time."

Liam's face fell, but he quickly recovered, a charming smile spreading across his face. "Of course, my love. Let's focus on the celebration."

As they entered the house, his eyes landed on the small bag Katie was carrying. "Is that all you brought? Where's the rest of your things?"

Her gaze was cool. Detached. "I'll bring the rest of my things back only if there's a reason to. Right now, I just want to focus on getting everything done for the pack celebration."

Liam's smile hitched a little. "Don't worry, my love. I'll make sure you don't have any reason to go back. We'll make this celebration one to remember."

As if.

If only he knew she was cutting him off completely. What an idiot.

As Liam reached out to take her hand, Katie pulled back, her movements swift and decisive. "Let's get to work, Liam. We have a lot to do before the celebration."

Liam's eyes flashed with annoyance, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "Of course, my love. Let's get to work."

Katie heard some noise in the kitchen just then.

She turned to see Dakota emerging with a tray.

Freshly baked pastries.

Dakota's smile was bright, but Katie's instincts told her otherwise.

"Oh, so you slept here," Katie said, her voice neutral.

Liam intervened, "Please, I don't want you misunderstanding. It was already too late last night. Dakota could not go back home."

Of course.

When they were both having a good time, how could she go back home?

Katie's gaze lingered on Dakota, who was busy arranging the pastries on a platter.

"I'm not misunderstanding anything," she said flatly.

Dakota turned around, a sweet smile on her face. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to make Liam breakfast. Please don't take it to heart. You're not mad, are you?"

Katie raised an eyebrow. "Of course not. You can do whatever you want."

Dakota's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. "Great! I'm glad we're clear."

Katie stood up, stretching slightly. "I'm really thirsty. I could really go for a cup of creamy coffee."

Liam immediately volunteered, "I'll go make it for you. I'll be right back."

How quick he was willing to help.

Just because his cheating ass was caught.

Pathetic.

As Liam left, Dakota's smile changed. Her eyes glinted with malice. "Why are you back here, Katie?”

“Isn’t this my home?”

“ You're just wasting your time, foolish girl. Once our baby is born, you'll be nothing. You'll be dumped, and I'll be the Luna of this pack."

Katie's expression remained calm, but her eyes flashed with anger. "No problem. I won't stand in the way of that. You should enjoy it while it lasts."

Dakota's smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling with triumph. "Oh, I will. I'll make sure to enjoy every moment of it."

As Liam returned with the coffee, Katie took a sip.

Her eyes didn’t leave Dakota's face.

The game was on. Katie was ready to play.

Over the next two days, Liam was doting over Katie. Getting her everything she needed.

He was by her side. Attending to every whim. Even massaging her feet.

Katie took a picture of him in that compromising position and sent it to Dakota with a taunting message:

"Seems that I've taken my husband back. Seems that he doesn't want you anymore. He's been on my side and refused to leave for the past two days. Isn't that crazy?"

Dakota's response was immediate. She sent back intimate pictures of her and Liam together.

Just great. Exactly what she needed.

Seeing it on the phone didn’t make it hurt. She already saw them in person.

"You think you've won? I'll prove it right now that he loves only me." Dakota typed back furiously.

Katie's smile remained as she looked at the pictures.

She said nothing.

Dakota's next move was swift. She called Liam's phone.

He excused himself and answered, his voice low and urgent.

Katie watched as he spoke to Dakota, his expression growing more agitated by the minute.

He looked panicked.

When he hung up, Liam turned to Katie and said, "I really need to go."

Katie quickly handed him some papers and said, "Alright, please just sign this before you go."

Liam barely glanced at the papers, too distracted by his conversation with Dakota. "Can't I sign it when I come back? I'm really in a hurry," he said, his eyes darting towards the door.

Katie's voice was sweet, but firm. "Just quickly sign it, and then go attend to what you need to do."

Liam scribbled his signature without even reading the papers properly and rushed out the door.

As he left, he called out, "I'll see you by seven PM."

Katie smiled to herself, her eyes glinting with triumph.

Her flight was booked for seven PM.

—-

Liam rushed over to Dakota, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong? You said your tummy hurts?"

Dakota's eyes sparkled with mischief as she gazed up at him. "It was hurting before, but now I feel better... seeing you."

Liam's brow furrowed. "Should I take you to the pack healer right now?"

Dakota's laughter was musical. "No need. I'm fine now."

She dragged him to her closet, her hands wrapped around his arm. "Choose a dress for the gala. The red one or the blue one? Which one do I look hot in?"

Liam's eyes scanned the dresses, his mind still preoccupied with Katie. "Dakota, was anything really wrong with you?"

Her smile broadened. "Doesn't matter. Just choose a dress for me."

His gaze lingered on her, suspicion growing in his chest. "I'll take the blue one," he said finally, his voice detached.

Her eyes sparkled with triumph. "Now, take me to the gala instead of Katie."

His expression turned stern. "That would arouse suspicion. Right now, I'm trying to keep Katie from leaving the house. I can't take chances. Let me lay low for a while, and afterwards, when Katie stops throwing her tantrum, everything can be fine between us again."

Dakota's face fell, but she quickly recovered.

She put her hands on his shoulders, pouting. "Okay, no problem... but at least take me to the gala?"

Liam's voice was resigned. "Okay, I'll drive you to the gala... but I have to go back and pick up Katie."

Dakota's smile returned, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "That's fine. I'll wait."

After dropping Dakota off at the venue afterwards, Liam headed home to pick up Katie.

But as he entered the house, he was surprised to find that she was nowhere to be found.

His butler approached him, a look of concern on his face.

"Luna Katie is not in the house, sir," he said, his voice low.

Liam's eyes narrowed. "How is that possible?" he demanded, his voice rising.

The butler hesitated. "I'm not sure, sir. Maybe she has already gone to the gala?"

Liam's face darkened. He quickly dialed Katie's number, but she didn't pick up.

He ordered his driver to drive to the venue, his anxiety growing with every passing minute.

As he arrived at the gala, he saw Dakota already there, smiling and chatting with the other pack members.

She came over to stand close to him, her hand brushing against his arm.

Liam's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Katie.

But she was nowhere to be found.

He wondered where she could be, a growing sense of unease settling in his stomach.

Just as he was starting to get really worried, his grandfather approached him.

"Where is Luna Katie?" he asked, his voice stern.

The whole pack started wondering, whispering to each other about Katie's absence.

Liam's face grew hot with anger and worry.

Where was Katie?

Why wasn't she answering her phone?

The gala started, but Liam's mind was elsewhere.

He couldn't focus on the festivities, his thoughts consumed by Katie's disappearance.

He knew he had to find her, to make sure she was safe.

As the night wore on, Liam's anxiety grew. He excused himself, stepping away from the crowd to call Katie again.

But still, she didn't pick up.

He was starting to get desperate, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

Where was Katie? And what was she planning?

The pack members began to stir, whispering to each other about Katie's absence.

She was supposed to make a presentation, one she had been working on for months. But where was she?

Just as the murmurs grew louder, a gamma approached, holding a hard drive.

Liam's eyes narrowed as he rushed over to him. "Where is Katie?" he demanded.

The gamma hesitated. "She's running late, alpha. But she sent this hard drive with me."

He frowned. "Okay, no problem. Connect it to the large screen."

The gamma nodded and quickly set up the connection.

Liam tried to call Katie again, but she didn't respond.

As the screen flickered to life, the pack members leaned forward, expecting Katie's presentation.

But what they saw made their jaws drop in shock.