Chapter 5

RICHARD'S POV

I left the hospital alone because Amy had insisted on staying until her mother's surgery was complete. I could have argued, could have reminded her that she was about to become my wife and that her place was with me. But the desperate and vulnerable look in those beautiful ocean eyes made me hold my tongue.

So I let her stay. I told her I'd have my driver return for her when the surgery was done, so we can proceed with the marriage contract.

The drive back to my office was quiet, the city lights blurring past the tinted windows. I leaned my head against the cool glass and closed my eyes with a smile on my face.

Amy was finally going to be mine after all these years of waiting.

FIVE YEARS AGO

It was raining heavily that morning, when I arrived at Rainwood Pack to talk to my older brother, Greg Wellington, the new Alpha of Rainwood Pack, to support my project of developing Darkwood Pack from the Slum.

I was working harder than I had ever in my life to make the project a success but it has proven to be difficult without any support from the Wellington family.

It was as if they wanted me to fail woefully.

I stopped at a small coffee shop near the pack's high school, needing caffeine before I walked into that meeting. I was already in a foul mood, my mind churning with resentment and determination.

I grabbed my coffee and headed for the door, barely paying attention to my surroundings. And then—

BAM.

Scalding hot liquid splashed across my chest, soaking through my expensive white shirt. I bit back a curse, my temper flaring as I looked down at the mess.

"I am so sorry!" a voice squeaked.

I raised my head, ready to unleash my fury on whoever had been careless enough to…

And then I saw her.

She was just a kid, probably fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a high school uniform that was covered in mud from head to toe. Her long and dark hair, cascading past her waist, was plastered to her face with rain.

Her eyes were the most captivating shade of blue I had ever seen. Wide, panicked, and utterly beautiful.

Her scent hit my smell bud, her scent of Jasmine and Vanilla, and my wolf Nixon lost it.

He was scratching to take over but I knew he would scare her away if I did.

"You left your coffee open!" she shouted, pointing at my cup like it was my fault. "Who does that? Who walks around with an open coffee in the rain?"

I stared at her, momentarily stunned by her audacity. "I was drinking it," I said flatly. "That's what people do with coffee. They drink it."

She opened her mouth to retort, then glanced down at her watch. Her eyes widened even further. "Oh no, no, no. I'm going to be late. The principal is going to kill me!"

Before I could say another word, she muttered something under her breath, something that sounded suspiciously like "my life is over" and ran past me, her wet hair flying behind her like a dark banner.

I stood there, dripping with coffee, watching her disappear into the rain.

I didn't know her name. I didn't know anything about her. But somehow, in that brief moment, that little high schooler had managed to get under my skin.

I thought about her for weeks after that. The way her blue eyes had blazed with defiance. The way her voice had risen in indignation. The way she had run off without a backward glance, completely unconcerned with the Alpha she'd just drenched.

I told myself it was nothing. Just a passing curiosity. Besides, she was too young for me and I had bigger things to focus on.

But I never forgot about her, neither did my wolf.

We tried to find girls with the same scent to use them to get over her but it didn't work. That little high-schooler had branded herself into my brain and I didn't know how to erase her.

TWO YEARS AGO

I had succeeded in making the Darkwood Pack into one of the most powerful packs in New York. I didn't need Greg's help anymore. In fact, he needed mine.

That fateful day, my brother invited me to dinner to discuss a "collaboration," I knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted to ride on my coattails, to claim credit for my success. I had already decided to refuse him, but I agreed to the meeting anyway. I wanted to see the desperation in his eyes.

I arrived at the Wellington mansion with my usual cold composure, ready to play my part. But the moment I walked into the grand living room, everything stopped.

She was there.

The high school girl. But she wasn't a girl anymore. She had grown into a woman, her features sharp and elegant, her dark hair now styled in soft waves. She was wearing a simple dress that did nothing to hide her natural beauty.

And she was sitting next to my nephew, her hand intertwined with his.

My blood turned to ice.

My brother grinned, mistaking my silence for interest. "Richard, I'd like you to meet our new family member. This is Amy Hart, Derek's fated mate. They're going to be married next year."

I forced a neutral expression onto my face, but inside, I was raging. Fated mate? This beautiful, spirited woman was destined for my spoiled, worthless nephew?

What was the Moon Goddess thinking?

Derek, who had never worked a day in his life. Derek, who had never earned anything on his own. Derek, who can't keep his dick in his pants and would probably cheat on her the moment she turn her back to him.

I looked at Amy, waiting for some recognition in her eyes. But there was nothing. She smiled politely at me, completely unaware that we had ever met.

"Nice to meet you, Alpha Richard," she said sweetly.

I wanted to laugh. I wanted to scream. She had no idea who I was. She had no idea that I had been thinking about her for three years.

But I played along. I smiled, shook her hand, and made polite conversation.

I knew it was only a matter of time before he did something stupid. And when he did, I would be there.

I observed Amy from a distance over the next several months. I watched her at pack events, at family gatherings, at the engagement party that my brother threw with all the pomp and circumstance that money could buy. I watched her smile at Derek, laugh at his jokes, and cling to his arm like he was the greatest prize she could ever win.

And every time I watched her, my hatred for my nephew grew.

She deserved better. She deserved someone who could give her the world, not just the scraps my brother's family would throw her way. She deserved someone who would cherish her, not someone who would treat her like a trophy.

I kept waiting for my chance to claim her as mine and Derek presented her to me on a Golden platter.

---

When I arrived back at my office, I found my secretary waiting outside my door. He stood quickly as I approached.

"Alpha," she said, handing me a folder. "I've prepared the marriage contract as you requested. One year, no strings attached, with the financial arrangements you specified."

"Good," I said, taking the folder. “Get some champagne ready in my office. Something expensive.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I walked into my office and sat down at my desk, flipping through the contract. Everything was in order. The terms were clear: Amy would become my wife and Luna. In return, I would pay for her mother's medical expenses, fund her education, and provide her with a generous monthly allowance.

I set the contract aside and leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. Despite my cold exterior, I felt a flicker of something unexpected, excitement.

Tonight, Amy would become my wife legally. I couldn't wait to see the look on Derek's face when he finds out.

My phone buzzed on the desk, pulling me from my thoughts. Dr. Matthews.

I answered immediately. "Tell me it's good news."

"It is, Alpha," the doctor said, his voice warm. "The surgery was a complete success. Mrs. Emily Hart is stable and recovering well. She should make a full recovery."

A rare smile tugged at my lips. "Excellent. Make sure she has the best care available. Money is no object."

"Understood, Alpha.”

I hung up and another call from an unknown number came in almost immediately.

I had a feeling about who it was, so I answered it immediately. "Amy."

"Alpha Richard." Her voice was soft and filled with emotions. "The surgery is over and my mother is okay. Thank you for everything."

"Of course," I said smoothly. "I told you I will take care of what's mine."

She was silent for a moment, before she continued, "I'll come over and sign the marriage contract."

I realized the entire day has been such a rollercoaster for her and she was probably exhausted. “We don't have to do it tonight if you are tired.”

“No, I want to do it today and get it over with.”

I sighed. “Okay. Stay in the hospital, I'll send my driver to come pick you up."

"Okay,"

I ended the call and called my driver.

"Pick up Miss Hart from the hospital. Bring her to my place."

"Yes, Alpha."

I set the phone down and looked out the window at the city skyline. Somewhere out there, Derek was probably still proud of himself for cheating on his mate who he believes is powerless without him. He had no idea that his entire world was about to come crashing down.

And I was going to enjoy every second of watching it happen.