Chapter 2

I turned around and shut that fake family happiness behind the door.

On an empty terrace, the night wind hit my face with a chill. I dialed the lawyer my mother had appointed before she died.

“Harvey,” I said. My voice was unnaturally calm. “The seven years are up.”

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then a low sigh.

“Luna, everything is ready.”

“Every dollar that was invested under your mother’s name into Black Moon Pack and into Ethan’s assets… will begin the withdrawal process the moment you give the word.”

“Recovery can start within twenty-four hours.”

“Within six days, we can pull everything out completely.”

I stared at the lights scattered across the Pack territory in the distance and nodded.

“Do it.”

The moment the call ended, I felt it clearly—

the rope that had tied me down for seven full years finally loosened.

Footsteps approached behind me.

Ethan followed out. He frowned at me, impatience all over his face.

“Acting all secretive. Who were you talking to?”

His tone turned sharp. “Nora, let me make this clear. Don’t take money from the Pack’s accounts to mess around outside.”

“We’re going to be raising a pup. Everything costs money. Be careful with spending.”

He said it like it was obvious.

As if he’d forgotten—

his Alpha throne, the Pack’s resources, his so-called business expansion… were all roads I paved.

I didn’t answer.

I just turned and walked straight back into the dining room.

The long oak table was loaded with dishes.

Every single one of them—Ann’s favorites.

Ethan had his head down, picking out fish bones for her with near-reverent patience. I sat down, and he still didn’t notice.

My father was already flushed from drinking, excited.

“Nora.” He set down his glass, announcing something as casually as if he were ordering dessert. “Transfer your shares in the Brown bloodline to the pup in Ann’s belly.”

“Consider it your first gift to the future heir… as his mother.”

I lifted my head and looked at his face—so full of calculation.

I paused for one second.

Then I nodded.

“Fine.”

My easy agreement made everyone at the table freeze for a moment.

Ethan was the first to recover. A satisfied smile spread across his face.

“I told you Nora is always most sensible and considerate.”

He made the call right there. “Then the portion of my company shares you hold? Transfer those too.”

“It’s all for our pup. You’ll be willing.”

Ann leaned into his arms and tugged at his sleeve, putting on that delicate voice.

“Ethan, don’t…”

“Nora will be upset.”

My father snorted, disdain written all over him.

“How could she be?”

“She’s happy. Aren’t you, Nora?”

He raised his glass toward me.

“Come on. Toast Ann. Say something nice.”

Ethan poured a glass of red wine and shoved it in front of me.

“I can’t drink,” I said flatly.

Ethan’s expression darkened instantly.

“You can’t drink?”

“Then when we were fighting for that South District land deal and you drank until you vomited blood, why didn’t you say you ‘can’t drink’?”

My father jumped in right away, vicious.

“Exactly.”

“How many banquets have you been to these years? You seemed just fine drinking back then.”

“When we tried to stop you, you insisted on going.”

I didn’t argue.

These years—

one needed to maintain the image of a warm, gentle Alpha.

One needed to keep the posture of a righteous Pack elder.

So all that bowing, appeasing, drinking, swallowing humiliation—

naturally fell on me, the Luna.

Six days.

I counted silently in my head.

Then I reached out and took the wine that was practically being shoved against my lips.

I turned to Ann.

The smug triumph in her eyes wasn’t even trying to hide.

I lifted the glass, each word clear and cold.

“I wish you—”

“Everything you wanted.”