Chapter 2 Fiancé

"I'm breaking up with Rupert and accepting the Levin family's engagement offer," Delia said.

She hung up. The sadness she'd expected never came—instead, a weight lifted. She had given nearly five years of her life to Rupert, and it had worn her down. Finally being free to live for herself was a genuine relief.

She started packing right away, planning to move out the next day.

Then a text came in from an unknown number: [Delia, this is Chris Levin. I'm honored to be your fiancé and would like to discuss the engagement arrangements with you.]

Delia stared at her screen, genuinely surprised. It had been less than half an hour since she'd gotten off the phone with her mother, and Chris had already reached out.

Chris Levin was the most powerful Alpha in the Empire, ruling over the entire northern territory. Word had it he was ruthless and decisive—just the mention of his name was enough to make smaller packs uneasy.

Which made his warm, courteous tone right now all the more unexpected.

She hesitated for a few seconds, then replied: [I don't have any preferences. Whatever you decide is fine with me.]

Chris: [The 28th of next month—does that work?]

The 28th. Delia did the mental math. That was the exact day she and Rupert had planned to hold their mating ceremony.

Fate had a dark sense of humor. She used to think that day would be the most beautiful of her life. Now it would mark the final end of everything between her and Rupert.

Delia: [That's fine.]

Within five minutes, Chris messaged again—this time with several photos of diamond rings, each stone more dazzling than the last.

Chris: [Pick one you like. I'll have it sent to you.]

Delia hadn't expected Chris to think of something like that. She glanced down at the ring on her left hand—the one she'd begged Rupert to buy her for her birthday last year.

Rupert had always hated gestures like that. In all the years they'd been together, he'd been cold and distant toward her about everything except sex.

She used to tell herself that was just how he was—not great at expressing feelings. But every time she caught the way he looked at Nova, soft and gentle, she knew the truth. She had never stood a chance.

She and Chris had never even met, yet he'd already shown her more respect and consideration than Rupert ever had.

Delia picked one of the photos at random and sent it over. [This one.]

Chris: [Got it.]

Just those two words, and then silence.

Delia lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking—this ridiculous relationship was finally over.

The next morning, Rupert was already gone by the time Delia woke up.

She had a quick breakfast, finished packing, then headed to Rupert's company to hand in her resignation.

Years ago, she had gone against her family's wishes to move into Rupert's place and take a job as his secretary, handling everything that kept the pack's affairs running smoothly.

Everyone in the pack had a problem with the fact that she couldn't shift. Her coworkers had never truly respected her either.

But through sheer competence and steady reliability, she had kept Rupert's company running like clockwork. Years of relentless, high-pressure work had taken a serious toll on her body—chronic insomnia, a bad stomach, the whole deal.

Now, finally, she could put all of it behind her.

Delia had barely stepped out of the villa when a stretched Rolls-Royce Silver Thorn pulled up in front of her—one of only three in the world, worth $1.4 million.

The door opened and a man in his early forties stepped out, dressed in a sharp black suit and carrying a briefcase. He gave Delia a composed, respectful bow. "Ms. Spencer, I'm Caleb, the Levin family's head butler. The Alpha sent me to deliver your engagement gift."

Caleb opened the case. Inside sat the diamond ring Delia had chosen the night before—over sixty carats, and even more breathtaking in person than in the photo.

He then produced a black card and a set of documents. "This is the deed to Empire Tower, and an unlimited black card in your name. You're free to spend or purchase whatever you like."

Delia shook her head quickly. "These are far too valuable. I can't accept them."

"Please," Caleb said, his manner sincere. "The Alpha is currently overseas dealing with an urgent matter and couldn't come in person. He asks for your understanding. Once he's back, he'll come see you himself."

After a long pause, Delia accepted the gifts. "Thank you," she said quietly.

After Caleb left, she took the ring out of the case. It was several sizes larger than the old one on her finger.

Without a moment's hesitation, she slipped off the old ring and dropped it in the trash, then slid Chris's diamond ring into its place.

She picked up her suitcase and walked away from Rupert's villa without looking back.

When Delia arrived at the office, the receptionist Celine tensed up the moment she saw her. "Ms. Spencer—what are you doing here?"

"I need to see Rupert. It'll be quick," Delia said, and walked straight toward his office.

Celine stepped in front of her, stumbling over her words. "Um—the Alpha's in an important meeting right now, he can't be disturbed."

Delia frowned. She had worked at this company for five years. Rupert had always had her sit in on his important meetings—every single one, until now.

Celine's obvious panic only made her more suspicious.

"It's fine. I just need a minute with him."

Delia brushed past her, walked up to the office door, and was about to knock when a soft, sweet voice drifted out from inside.

"Rupert, when are you going to break things off with that woman? I want to be your true mate..."

Delia's hand froze mid-air. Her fingertips trembled slightly.

Then came Rupert's low, even voice. "She was chosen by the Moon Goddess, so her status complicates things. I'll go through with a fake mating ceremony to keep the pack in line, then find something to use against her and force her to leave on her own..."

The words hit her like a blade to the chest. A hollow, burning ache spread through her all at once, and her eyes stung with tears she refused to let fall.

She hadn't thought Rupert would go so far—willing to deceive even the Moon Goddess for the sake of the woman he loved. And she hadn't thought that after everything she'd sacrificed for him, she was nothing more than something to be used and thrown away.

Delia took a slow, deep breath and pushed down the grief and fury rising inside her. Then she raised her hand and pushed the office door open.