Chapter 4
Even after sitting in Alpha Halbert’s car, my mind was still spinning like a rogue whirlwind.
His scent—clean, crisp, laced with a hint of pine and dominance—filled the enclosed space, stirring something deep in my chest.
I shook it off. No distractions.
"Spill it. What do you want?"
There was no way a powerful Alpha like Halbert helped me out of sheer goodwill. There had to be an angle.
To my surprise, he simply sighed and pulled the car smoothly onto the road.
Minutes later, we stopped in front of a boxing gym.
I blinked. What?
"You want me to be your punching bag?" I asked, arms crossed, as he stepped out and tossed me a gym bag.
Halbert had already changed into a fitted workout set, and I hated that I noticed how well it hugged his broad shoulders, his narrow waist—how his muscles flexed with every movement.
I looked away. Nope. Not going there.
"What? Afraid?" His deep voice carried an unmistakable challenge.
I strapped on the gloves without hesitation. The wolf in me relished a fight.
We circled each other in the ring, exchanging light jabs at first. But soon, adrenaline kicked in, and I let loose.
A punch. A dodge. A counter.
His movements were quick, precise—too precise. Alpha instincts.
Sweat slicked our skin, and I could feel the energy crackling between us, the raw push and pull of two strong-willed wolves testing each other.
Then—an opening.
I swung hard, putting all my pent-up frustration into the punch.
My knuckles collided with his jaw with a solid thud.
Halbert closed his eyes and groaned, stepping back into the ropes.
Oh, crap.
"Oh no, oh no! I’m so sorry!" I rushed forward, prying his hand away to check for damage.
In my head, I had turned him into Alpha Micheal. And I’d punched him like I meant it.
Halbert cracked open one eye, his lips curving into a lazy smirk.
"Does this count as a workplace injury?"
The amusement in his gaze replaced the usual cold, calculated edge he carried in the business world. The contrast was... unsettling.
Before I knew it, my hand instinctively reached toward his face, brushing just beneath his bruised skin.
The moment our eyes met, something shifted—an undercurrent I wasn’t ready for.
My heart stuttered.
I yanked my hand back like I’d been burned.
"I—I was just worried I might've blinded you and would have to pay for it!"
Halbert chuckled, his breath warm as he leaned in just slightly, his voice a low murmur.
"Hmm. But what about the people who are blind to what’s in front of them?"
I stiffened.
"I waited four years, Judy."
His words settled heavily in the air, mixing with the scent of sweat, pine, and mint.
Four years.
A memory lurched forward, unbidden.
A nickname. A moment. A promise unfulfilled.
My face heated under his intense gaze, and just when I thought I might drown in it, he finally straightened up.
"Coward."
His tone was equal parts exasperation and fondness, snapping me out of my daze.
The nickname struck a chord, aligning eerily with something from four years ago.
The height of summer buzzed with the constant hum of cicadas, their endless drone a fitting soundtrack to the slow, agonizing death of my patience.
Inside the lavishly decorated bridal chamber, the scent of sandalwood and roses clashed with the bitter ache swelling in my chest.
It had been a day since I ripped Alpha Micheal out of my life, stuffing his belongings into boxes and shipping them straight to his packhouse. A day since I decided I would no longer be the obedient Luna he expected me to be.
And now, here he was, standing in the doorway, all muscle and arrogance, looking annoyed.
"What the hell is this supposed to mean?"
He blocked the entrance like a brick wall, his brows furrowed in irritation.
Perfect. I was itching for a fight.
"Perfect timing." I gave him a tight-lipped smile and shoved a packed suitcase toward his feet. "Take your trash with you, and while we're at it, let’s swing by the Civil Affairs Bureau."
I tossed our wedding photo to the floor, gripping two red divorce booklets in my hand like silver daggers.
"Enough!"
His snarl rattled the walls, his wolf surging beneath his skin. He strode forward, cornering me with a predatory grace that used to make my heart flutter.
Not anymore.
"I’ve already given you the position of Luna for the Blood Howl Pack," he growled, voice thick with condescension. "All I did was help Becky with a small favor—does that really justify all this drama?"
I blinked. Once. Twice.
Then, I laughed.
"A small favor?" I scoffed, stepping closer until our breaths mixed. "What kind of ‘sister’ needs Alpha Micheal’s help in bed, huh?"
"A ‘special’ sister?"
I yanked at his tie, tightening it around his throat just enough to see his composure crack. His jaw twitched, but I wasn’t done.
I pulled out my phone and flashed the damning evidence—photos of him and Becky tangled together in ways no 'siblings' should ever be.
His wolf bristled.
"Delete those photos, Judy." His voice dipped into a dangerous growl. "Don’t push me, or I won’t be so nice."
Oh, the audacity.
His threat was about as frightening as a poodle barking at a werewolf, and far less cutting than the hickey marks on his neck.
I had waited four years. I had been patient, loyal, and stupidly in love. I had imagined saving my first time for our wedding night, but now?
The groom was tainted.
I met his burning gaze head-on.
"Alpha Micheal, what gives you the confidence to think I’d settle for damaged goods?"
His wolf flinched.
"Don’t take my love as an excuse to act recklessly," I continued, my voice calm, sharp as a blade. "I, Judy, have never been the type to cling to someone who doesn’t deserve me."
Something in my eyes must have shaken him, because his posture shifted—the dominance faded just a fraction, replaced by something almost… pleading.
"Judy, I know you’re upset about me taking over your wedding." His voice softened, taking on that infuriatingly coaxing tone he used when he thought I was being ‘irrational.’
"How about this? Once Becky recovers, I’ll take you to the Maldives and give you the wedding you deserve. How does that sound?"
I stared at him, waiting for the punchline.
Nothing.
And then, I laughed again—louder, bolder, freer than I had in years.
For a brief moment, I thought about what Alpha Halbert had said.
"You’re blind, Judy. One day, you’ll see the difference between an Alpha and a coward wearing the title."
He had been right.
I must’ve been blind and foolish before. How else could I have fallen for something like this?
"Don’t make me sick." My amusement faded, and I flicked the divorce papers against his chest.
"Hurry up. The Civil Affairs Bureau is still open—let’s get this divorce finalized so your precious childhood sweetheart won't have to bear the shame of being the other woman."
