The gymnasium bass rattled the metal bleachers. Dozens of teenagers spun across the hardwood floor, their formal wear a blur of bright colors under the flashing strobe lights.

I remained by the folding tables in the far corner. The shadows concealed my presence perfectly. I didn't want to be at the Pack School annual dance, but my signature was still required on Oliver’s final semester release forms.

The music abruptly died. The overhead fluorescent lights buzzed to life, washing the room in a harsh, sterile glow.

Principal Thorne tapped the microphone on the center stage. "And now, the presentation for our Junior Warrior of the Year."

Oliver jogged up the wooden steps. He wore the same heavy leather jacket from this morning, completely ignoring the school’s formal dress code.

"Thank you," Oliver said, grabbing the silver trophy from Thorne. He stepped up to the mic stand. "I didn't prepare a speech. I just want to thank the person who actually supports me."

He didn't look toward the back corner. His eyes locked onto the front row.

Catherine stood there, clapping enthusiastically.

"She lets me make my own choices," Oliver announced to the entire room. "She understands what I need. So, thank you... Mom."

A collective gasp swept through the gymnasium.

The silence that followed was absolute. Three hundred pack members shifted uncomfortably. Parents whispered behind raised hands. Teenagers exchanged wide-eyed glances. Every single person in the room knew I was the one who had bled to save his life.

I didn't rush the stage. I didn't scream his name.

I picked up a paper cup from the refreshment table and took a slow sip of water.

A heavy set of footsteps approached from my left. Nathan shoved past a group of gossiping mothers, his jaw clenched tight.

"You are just going to hide back here?" Nathan demanded.

"I am waiting for the principal to bring me my paperwork," I replied.

Nathan scowled, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Everyone is watching you, Madeline. You are making this incredibly awkward."

"I haven't moved an inch," I pointed out. "Your son is the one holding the microphone."

"He is expressing gratitude," Nathan snapped. "You should be generous about this. Bless the child for having a second mother."

I lowered my cup. I looked my husband straight in the eyes.

"Bless him?" I asked.

"Yes," Nathan insisted. "A good woman would be happy he feels so loved. Instead, you stand in the dark radiating bitterness."

A soft, amused laugh escaped my throat.

Nathan blinked, clearly thrown by the sound. He expected tears or rage. He didn't know what to do with genuine amusement.

"What is funny?" he asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl.

"You," I said. "You actually believe this little performance."

Before Nathan could argue, Catherine appeared. She navigated the crowded floor with exaggerated care, her hands resting protectively over the slight curve of her stomach.

"Nathan, there you are," Catherine said. She leaned against his arm.

She turned her gaze to me, flashing a brilliant, manufactured smile.

"Madeline," Catherine cooed. "I hope Oliver’s little speech didn't upset you. He just spoke from the heart."

"I am entirely unaffected," I said.

Catherine frowned, clearly disappointed by my lack of a breakdown. She rubbed her pregnant belly again, making sure the gymnasium lights caught the silver Luna ring hanging loosely on her finger.

"I just want peace between us," Catherine said loudly, ensuring the nearby parents could hear every word. "I promise I will treat Oliver and my unborn children equally. They will all get the exact same love from me."

My mind immediately flashed to the conversation I overheard hours ago.

*If he breaks his neck on it, it just solves my problem faster.*

*I am not sharing my twins' inheritance with some stray.*

I looked at her hands resting on her stomach. Then I met her fake, sympathetic stare.

"You'd better remember that," I said quietly.

Catherine flinched. The absolute certainty in my voice shattered her practiced smile. She took a tiny step backward, hiding behind Nathan’s shoulder.

"Stop threatening my mate," Nathan warned. "She is extending an olive branch."

"I simply gave her some advice," I said.

Principal Thorne finally scurried over. He held a manila folder against his chest, looking terrified to interrupt the Alpha.

"Luna Madeline," Thorne stammered. "I mean, former Luna. The transfer papers are ready."

I took the folder from his shaking hands. "Thank you, Principal."

"Transfer papers?" Nathan asked. "What transfer?"

"Oliver's," I said. "I signed away my guardianship this morning, remember? He is legally your problem now."

I turned my back on them and walked toward the exit.

"Madeline!" Nathan barked.

I pushed the heavy metal doors open and stepped out into the cool night air. The oppressive bass of the gymnasium faded the moment the doors swung shut behind me.

Gravel crunched beneath my shoes as I crossed the empty parking lot. My phone vibrated in my jacket pocket.

I pulled it out and answered on the first ring.

"Marcus," I said. "Did you file the custody relinquishment?"

"It’s done," my lawyer replied. His voice sounded tight, buzzing with adrenaline. "But that isn't why I am calling."

I reached my car and unlocked the door. "What did you find?"

"I submitted the inquiry to the Pack Council this afternoon," Marcus explained. "Councilman Griffith just finished reviewing the financial audit."

"And the trust fund Nathan established for Catherine?" I asked.

"It is exactly what you suspected," Marcus said.

I paused with my hand on the door handle. "Tell me."

"Nathan bypassed the standard Alpha accounts," Marcus said. "He set up a private pregnancy trust for Catherine and seeded it with three million dollars."

"Where did he pull the money from?"

"The emergency winter reserves," Marcus answered. "He drained the pack's disaster relief fund to buy her loyalty."

A cold thrill shot down my spine.

"That violates the Pack Asset Regulations," I said.

"Directly," Marcus confirmed. "Article Four prohibits any Alpha from using survival funds for personal domestic affairs. The Council is furious, Madeline. This isn't just a minor infraction. It is a criminal breach of leadership."

I looked back at the glowing windows of the school gymnasium. Inside, Nathan was busy playing the proud Alpha, entirely unaware that the ground was rotting beneath his feet.

"Does Nathan know the Council found out?" I asked.

"Not yet," Marcus said. "They are convening an emergency tribunal tomorrow morning. They want to strip his financial authority."

"Let them," I said.

"Madeline, if he loses financial control, Catherine’s trust gets frozen immediately. She won't have access to a single dime."

I smiled into the phone.

"Good," I said. "Draft a petition for my immediate departure from the territory. I want to be gone before the tribunal starts."

"I will have it ready in an hour," Marcus promised.

I ended the call and slid into the driver's seat. The engine roared to life, cutting through the quiet night.

Catherine wanted my title, my ring, and my son. She was about to find out how little those things mattered when the Alpha's empire finally collapsed.