Back at the breakfast table, silence lingered in the air like smoke. Ashley picked at her food, eyes lowered, but Joseph had had enough. "It's funny," he said coolly, leaning back in his chair. "It was perfectly acceptable for Ashley to dine with us before. But now that Andrea is seated here, our mate, it suddenly feels wrong?"
Ashley looked up, eyes wide, hurt painted across her face. The Queen Mother stiffened at the head of the table. "Ashley is my goddaughter," she said sharply. "She's been family long before Andrea ever arrived. If I invite her to eat here, it is entirely appropriate."
Lionel pushed his chair back slowly, rising to his full height. His tone was deadly calm. "Then let her eat. But if she disrespects our Luna again..." He paused, letting his gaze burn into Ashley. "You'll be as good as dead."
Ashley's fork clattered softly against her plate. "Come on," Matthew said, standing. "Let's look at those reports." The three brothers walked out, James following them to the study.
Once the door was shut, Lionel turned sharply. "What did you find?" James exhaled, shoulders tense. "Nothing. I arrived at the orphanage... and it was gone. Burned to the ground. Everything, files, photos, records. Not a single soul there."
The room fell into stunned silence. Matthew clenched his jaw. "Who would do that? Why destroy everything now?"
"They're covering something," Joseph muttered, pacing. "This started the moment she escaped. Someone didn't want her out in the world."
"Which means someone knows exactly who she is," Lionel said darkly. "And they're doing everything to keep it hidden. Still keep looking for the head of the orphanage,"
James looked between them. "Yes, Alpha. What now?"
"There's always a way," Lionel said, eyes narrowing. "We're not out of options yet. I'll speak to Kelvin."
"The wizard?" Joseph asked, his eyes lighting up.
"He's more than that. He was Father's closest friend. And he's discreet."
"Good," Matthew said, then glanced at James. "What about the investment? That bastard pay up?" James nodded. "Deposited in full. With interest. He won't be causing problems again."
Lionel smirked. "Smart man."
"Then let's finish the other business," Joseph said. "We still have that rogue to deal with."
"Right." Lionel's voice turned steel-cold. "Time to visit headquarters. That rogue might know more than we think."
As they moved to leave, Ashley appeared outside the corridor, waiting, poised, her eyes rimmed red.
"Joseph," she called softly. He stopped, visibly annoyed, but gave her a moment. "I need to talk to you," she said, stepping closer. "Please." He waited for his brothers to leave, then he folded his arms, jaw tight. "Ashley—"
"You can't just walk away from me," she said, voice trembling. "I was supposed to be yours. I am yours. Don't act like this doesn't hurt." Joseph's expression didn't change.
"I rejected my mate for you," she whispered. "Because I thought I could belong to all three of you. I was willing. I still am. I'll accept anything you decide. Just... don't shut me out." She moved closer, reaching for his hand.
Joseph stepped back. "I'm sorry," he said. "But we can't continue this. You knew what it was. I never promised more than what we had."
"I thought it would change," she whispered. "I thought I could change it."
"I have a mate now," Joseph said firmly. "And that bond means everything. Please... stop this."
He turned without another word, leaving Ashley standing in the hallway alone, humiliated, tears welling in her eyes. But even as she watched him go, rage began to simmer beneath the surface.
This wasn't over
***
Andrea's POV
The first boutique Amalia brought me to looked like it had been carved out of a fairytale. Marble floors. Glass walls. Gold-trimmed mirrors everywhere. And racks of clothes so luxurious, I could practically hear them whisper You can't afford me as I walked past.
A tall assistant greeted us with a bow so deep I thought she might kiss the floor. "Princess Amalia," she said. "We've prepared the private suite."
Amalia beamed and pulled me along by the hand like an excited whirlwind. "Let's make you unforgettable."
I barely had time to blink before the first few racks were rolled in. Silk, satin, velvet. Dresses that glittered under the lights. Shoes I didn't even want to touch, afraid I'd somehow owe someone a kidney.
I picked up a black, sleeveless number—elegant, dangerously short. The price tag fluttered.
$16,300. I froze.
"Amalia," I whispered, clutching the tag like it might explode. "This costs more than the orphanage spent on me in a year." She threw her head back and laughed like I'd told the best joke of her life.
"Oh, sweet Luna," she said, wiping her eyes, "you clearly don't understand the worth of one Alpha. Try multiplying it by three."
I raised an eyebrow. "I still don't think I could justify—" "They're worth twenty billion each, Andrea." My mouth dropped open. "What?"
"Twenty. Billion. And that's just on paper. Lionel owns more land than most kings, Joseph owns half the tech companies in the world, and Matthew basically controls shipping routes like Poseidon reborn. You are—we are—shopping with royalty money."
I blinked. "They told me to spoil you. And I intend to do just that."
I could feel the whispers from the other salesgirl standing nearby—her posture perfect, her expression saying everything she didn't. That, I had no class. That I didn't belong here.
Maybe she was right. I never cared much for clothes or fancy things. But if there's one thing I hate more than frills and silk, it's being bullied.
I slowly turned to the assistant and hesitantly handed over the dress. "I'll take this one… and maybe this... and this... and—"
Something took over me. I didn't know if it was Amalia's contagious confidence or the rush of being treated like someone who mattered for once. But suddenly, I was pulling dresses, boots, and accessories from racks like I belonged here. Like I deserved them.
The assistant's arms were piled high in under five minutes. "You're a natural," Amalia teased. "See? All you needed was a little push."
"I don't want to take advantage," I murmured, watching the assistant disappear with an overflowing rack of items.
"You're not," Amalia said, more serious now. "You're their mate. That makes you their princess. Their Luna. This? It's just the beginning. You'll be ruling beside them one day, Andrea."
I looked at her—really looked. She wasn't teasing now. She believed it.
I wish I could say I felt ready for any of that. But deep down, I was still the girl who'd slept on a cot, waiting to be picked, hoping someone would love me. Still, there was something about Amalia's warmth. Her fierce loyalty. Her quiet strength. Maybe I didn't have a sister growing up. But I was pretty sure I had one now.