WRITER'S POV
Under the shimmering night sky, a werewolf stood atop the highest mountain, gazing down at the crimson pack with his golden eyes. Those eyes hid an undeniably loath yet tenderness.
His ears rose high in alertness as he heard approaching footsteps. Turning sharply to the figure, he pounced on it.
A familiar voice cries out in pain, and he momentarily freezes before releasing him. Shapeshifting back to a human, he adjusted his blazer and stood far away, giving his subordinate time to calm down.
His fingers brushed the red thread bracelet on his wrist, his cold, chiseled features softening for a split second.
Standing two meters away, his subordinate reported, "Boss, Miss. Casper's surgery was a success. I've also given a large sum to the family who donated the corneas, per your orders. And I've placed someone close to Leo, he'll never find her."
The man tucked the bracelet under his sleeve and turned. "We leave Crimson's pack tomorrow."
Tomorrow? That was too sudden. These words stuck in his subordinate tongue, but he dared not say them aloud.
Finally finding a way to ask, he said, "Shouldn't we confirm his identity first?"
The man's sharp gaze sliced through him like a blade. "Do you know how to respond to the old master? We have to leave tomorrow and that's final."
Terrified, the subordinate lowered his head. " Noted, boss."
*****
In Crimson's pack house…
Since Selene's departure, Leo had locked himself inside the pack house. He drank all day, trying to drown the pain, hoping alcohol could help him forget that she was gone and that their child was too.
His subordinates and employees, both in the pack house and in his office, felt sad, since their Alpha had refused to come out of his room or attend any pack meeting. His beta and best-friend had tried everything in his power to bring him out of his shell but it was all futile.
The bedroom reeked of liquor, and Leo slumped on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles. The headmaid, Sarah didn't dare go near, afraid of triggering one of his violent outbursts. The first night he spent after meeting Chris, he had ran into the woods, hunting down animals and butchering them ravenously.
No one could come close to him, he had those beastly eyes that reminded one of how ruthless he could be. So everyone stayed far away from him, letting him do whatever he wanted. Not even the thought of Amelia could console him.
But Amelia wasn't one to quietly suffer. The Casper family, rulers of the bloodmoon clan, had tried everything to suppress the scandal, to no avail. Lucas' family had abandoned her, Lucas was filing for divorce and now, her last hope was Leo.
He used to love her so much. Surely, he'd still do anything for her.
Determined, Amelia drove straight to the pack house. The Gammas bowed slightly to acknowledge her presence but she walked past and went into the pack house.
Glancing around at the gloominess hovering around, she furrows her brows, wondering where the maids were.
Suddenly, a maid came into sight, her face pale and ghostly white as she rushed to meet Amelia.
"Greetings, my lady. If you're looking for Luna Selene, she…"
"Who cares about that bitch!" Amelia sneered as she rolled her eyes. She would never come here to look for Selene, never!
Shrieking at the tone of her voice, the maid stutters, " I…if it's Alpha Leo you seek, he…he doesn't want to see anyone."
"What? Do you know who I am?" Amelia questioned as she gazed coldly at the maid. "Why am I wasting my time talking to a filth like you, move away!"
Amelia yelled, pushing the maid out of her way. Storming upstairs, she shoved open the master's bedroom door and stopped abruptly.
Suddenly, she began gagging on the overwhelming stench of booze. Her face twisted in disgust as she walked. Scanning through the room, she spotted Leo in a corner, near the window.
His unshaven face was haggard, his body filthy and slouched in defeat. He looked more like a homeless drunk than the powerful Alpha he once was.
If Amelia didn't desperately need his help, she wouldn't have even looked at him. Frowning in irritation, Amelia crouched beside him and feigned a sweet voice.
"Why do this to yourself for someone who never loved you? You need to pull it together, for the pack, for your company…and for me," Amelia uttered, placing her hand on his shoulder.
Suddenly, the wine bottle slipped from Leo's hand, and his bloodshot eyes locked onto hers.
Startled, she stumbled back. " Al…Alpha Leo? What's with that look? You're scaring me."
Leo's glare icy and sharp, was laced with hatred. A scoff escaped his lips as he mumbled under his breath, "You're right, it's not worth it to destroy myself over someone who never loved me."
Relieved, Amelia smiled sweetly and leaned in but Leo suddenly yanked her body off him
Amelia's eyes bulged in shock as she stared at him, "That hurts! What was that for?"
Hauling her up, Leo spat out viciously, his eyes dark and venomous. "I chased after you for years, cleared every obstacle in your path. And what did I get? I lost my Luna. My pup died. All because of you."
"Ah!" Amelia gasped in realization, he hadn't been talking about selene. He was blaming her.
Fear gripped her, This part of Leo… He had never looked at her like this before. And it was scary as hell.
What was she going to do? She can't leave here without Leo's help.
"Calm down, your highness," she said quickly. "It was just a baby. If Selene could give you one, any woman can…"
Before she could finish, Leo's hand wrapped tightly around her throat.
"Just a baby?" he snarled. "That was my pup, my heir. A child I'd longed for, for years!"
Leo continued, "Why did you say those things to Selene? Why provoke her? If not for you, she wouldn't have left. If not for you, my pup wouldn't have died in a pool of blood. It's your fault, Amelia. All of it. You destroyed everything."
His rage consumed him. For the first time, he genuinely wanted her dead.
Thankfully, the guards rushed in at the noise and stopped him before it was too late.
Gasping for air, Amelia staggered to her feet and coughed violently.
Her heart pounded dangerously in her chest as she stared at the man she once thought was her puppet.
What went wrong?
Once Amelia regained her breath, her mask dropped completely. Her face twisted with scorn.
"You're unbelievable, leo. You were the one who took Selene's corneas. You lied to her. You were the one wagging your tail behind me like a pathetic mutt and you did it willingly!"
Staring at him, she continued, "She left you because you deserved it. The one who killed your pup wasn't me, it was you. Don't you dare throw your guilt on me. I won't carry your sins!"
She had come expecting to manipulate him again, only to be blamed for everything.
There was no need to keep him any longer, he was a useless tool to her tactics.
"I hope not to see you ever again!" Amelia sneered, furious, she stormed out.
The guards let Amelia go, and everywhere became quiet again.
Leo sat alone, his pain cutting through the fog of alcohol. Every corner of the room bore traces of Selene. Whether his eyes were open or closed, her image haunted him. Kael had abandoned him, he had thrown their mate away.
His chest ached like it was being ripped open.
He missed her, more than anything in this world.
Leo's gaze landed on the glass container in the corner. Scrambling over, he clutched it tightly to his chest as if it were the last lifeline.
Inside was the only thing he had left of her.
Their pup.
The only thing she'd left behind.
Leo broke down completely, sobbing until he couldn't breathe. He used to think Selene was just a pawn in his game.
But once she was gone, he finally realized, he had loved her, deeply and completely.
Three years of marriage, and he never even saw it until it was too late. She had been so gentle, so radiant, like a dream he didn't deserve.
Leo thought of how she must've felt when she discovered their marriage had been a setup. How she must've silently endured seeing him entangled with another woman. How heartbroken she must've been when he ditched her on her birthday.
"Damn it!" He cursed at himself as he remembered each moment, each betrayal, another crack that shattered Selene.
He was the one who killed her hope.
And now, he finally understood that he deserved to die.
_____________
Three Months Later.
Dressed in a pair of pink suits, a pretty lady sat in the passenger seat of a sleek black sports car, scrolling through the trending topics that had dominated headlines for three days straight.
A sweet smile appeared on her lips as she scrolled further followed by a soft chuckle.
Controlling the wheel was a handsome young man whose lavishness matched the lady's.
Glancing at her in the rearview mirror, he said, "What's so funny, leo? Care to share?"
"Nothing much, Richard. I just saw an old name pop up… feels like a lifetime ago." Selene raised her head, staring at the man's back.
Now healed and radiant, Selene's ocean-blue eyes sparkled in excitement, as she blinked slowly.
"Oh well, I thought you were chatting with a lover," Richard mumbled and Selene chuckled.
Richard was the second apprentice of Moss, Selene was the sixth, and only female, apprentice, and the youngest. Her talent with a paintbrush was otherworldly and Moss adored her.
The five older brothers treated her like a precious gem and had vowed to protect her from harm.
These three months had given Selene the kind of love and happiness she'd never known before. Meeting Moss was an absolute blessing.
Glancing back at her phone, Selene read the headlines aloud, "Alpha of Crimson's pack, Suicide Attempt and Corporate Collapse."
According to the article, three months ago, Leo attempted suicide via sleeping pills and suffered brain damage. He recently woke from a coma, but his company had been in free fall, on the verge of bankruptcy. Not only that, but his pack had been divided, and rumors of pleading for another Alpha roared throughout the entire nation.
Selene thought she might feel something.
But she didn't.
"By the way, " Richard started, distracting her from her thoughts. "I'm heading back to Crimson's pack with you next week."
Puzzled, she stared at him.
Why does he want to follow her to Crimson's pack? Was there a motive?
Opening her mouth to speak, the car suddenly jerked violently to a stop.
"What the hell?!" Selene gasped as she hit her head on the window.
"Shit!" Richard cursed.
A red sports car had just swerved recklessly in front of them. If he hadn't braked in time, they'd have collided.
"Is that person trying to die?" he fumed, face stormy.
Selene nodded calmly. "Definitely has a death wish."
Richard grinned at her agreement. "You have no idea how satisfying that is. I'm telling the other four right now, they'll be so jealous."
"Really?" she said, half amused.
Richard raised an eyebrow, "Oh, absolutely worth it."
She could only sigh in response.
A few minutes later, Richard dropped her off outside the top gallery in the pack. Staring at the huge sculpture of a tool brush, Selene flashed a sweet smile before putting on her veiled hat.
"Here we go as Amanda the famous painter," Selene mumbled before walking.
As she walked toward the entrance, her eyes flicked to the parking lot, where a familiar red sports car was parked.
Furrowing her brows slightly, she stepped through the door and froze.
Because standing inside was someone she never thought she'd see again.