Audrey's POV
I couldn't help laughing at Rowan's words—sharp, humorless, edged with the bite of a wolf showing its fangs.
The arrogance of that man. As if I needed anyone to survive.
I wasn't like Lisa, clinging to him like a tick burying itself into a host. Even stripped of every resource Rowan thought he provided, I'd still stand on my own four feet. I always had.
For years he'd believed he was the one carrying me, feeding me, sheltering me.
He never realized that I'd simply let him believe it—because it kept the peace, and because back then I still thought loyalty mattered.
Now I knew better.
Rowan's threats didn't cow me. They only revealed how fragile his dominance really was.
His cold glare flicked toward Riley, and he sneered, "You can't even manage yourself. You think that little pup-toy of yours will support you?"
My patience snapped like a brittle bone. "Are you done?" I growled. "Get. Out."
His face twisted with rage, jaw clenched so tight I heard the grind of his teeth. "Audrey, don't come crawling back later. I won't be merciful again."
I swung the door open wide. "Don't let me keep you then, Alpha."
He gave me one last venomous look, then stormed out.
And I knew exactly what he was thinking—cut me off, starve me of company and pack resources, let me hit the ground so hard I'd come crawling back on shredded knees, begging for his approval.
Divorce? Not for him. He wanted me trapped forever—his quiet little wolfless servant.
Once his footsteps faded, the room went quiet. The tension finally began to loosen, though a dark, heavy fog still clung to my chest.
Riley glanced at me, face still flushed with anger. "Ms. Audrey, if you hadn't stopped me, I would've put that bastard through a wall."
I let out a low, humorless chuckle. "No need to hurry. His day will come."
But first, I had to sever every last tie between us.
He'd already made it clear he wouldn't let me go willingly. Which meant I had to force his hand—legally.
Rowan believed I was powerless. Just a housebound mate with no rank, no influence, no strength to challenge him.
He'd regret believing that.
"I wish I could tear him out of my life this instant," I muttered.
Every time I saw him, I imagined him and Lisa slinking around together like two animals in heat behind my back. It made bile rise in my throat.
Riley sighed. "We've gathered proof of Rowan's affair with Lisa, but the Crescent pack has a whole army of lawyers. If we want to win—and win properly—we need to strike at the right time."
He added quietly, "You know how it works, Ms. Audrey. The law protects property, not loyalty. Even an adulterous Alpha keeps what's his. You leaving with nothing? We can't let that happen."
My eyes narrowed. I could endure humiliation for one more month. I had endured eight years of lies—I wasn't giving him the satisfaction of a clean escape.
"Riley," I said, voice icy. "Find out which villa Rowan is sharing with Lisa."
"Yes, Ms. Audrey."
He worked quickly. Within half an hour, he handed me the address.
I stared at the map and laughed under my breath.
Rowan wasn't even hiding her anymore. He had moved that home-wrecking parasite straight into his secondary villa.
I wondered what his iron-spined mother would think of that. Sylvia prided herself on the purity of the Blackthorne line. She'd tear Lisa to shreds if she found out the truth.
Time to guide her straight to the spectacle.
I dialed Sylvia's number. She answered with her usual frostiness.
I told her tomorrow was her birthday dinner—inviting her to the house.
Of course, she refused immediately.
Sylvia had always despised me, snapping at my heels for years. I'd endured it for the sake of staying in the pack Rowan forced me to protect.
He'd married me to shield Lisa, nothing more—to give Lisa a safe pregnancy while I took all the blows from his mother.
I was the decoy Luna. The sacrificial mate.
So I dangled the bait she could never resist.
"Fen's sick," I said flatly. "He wants to see you."
That did it.
Sylvia's voice sharpened to a blade. "How could you let Fen fall ill? What kind of mother are you? If anything happens to my grandson, you'll answer for it!"
Her scolding lasted nearly half an hour.
Once, her words would've pierced me. I would've bowed my head, accepted the blame, worked myself raw trying to prove I could be the mother they wanted.
But Fen wasn't mine. And I wasn't their Luna.
Now, her insults washed over me like meaningless noise.
She finally said she'd attend the dinner, then hung up.
Riley approached cautiously. He'd heard every shrill word through the phone.
"Ms. Audrey… what exactly are you planning?"
I pocketed my phone and let a cold, slow smile curl across my lips.
"I'm doing what any considerate mate would do," I said. "I'm helping Rowan and Lisa be together."
***
Meanwhile…
Lisa had sensed Rowan pulling away these past few days. That made her nervous—terrified, even—that he might drift back to Audrey.
She couldn't allow that.
So she called Rowan this morning, told him she'd cook dinner herself. He agreed.
Overjoyed, she ordered the maids to prepare everything. She wasn't going to dirty her own hands—Lisa lived to be worshipped, not worked.
She left Fen at the hospital with a nurse, determined to have Rowan to herself.
Then she went out and bought a set of black lace lingerie, planning a surprise she was certain Rowan wouldn't resist.
By the time the maids finished cooking, she dismissed them and claimed the villa as her private stage.
She changed into the lingerie, draped a sheer robe over herself—Rowan's favorite look.
She perched on the living-room couch, buzzing with excitement, texting Rowan:
"Rowan, I have a surprise for you tonight."
Night settled. The city lights reflected across the windows.
Then— Ding-dong!
Lisa lit up. He's here! Why had he rung the bell? Forgotten his keys?
She rushed to the door, already wearing her sweetest smile.
Then she opened it—and froze.
It wasn't Rowan.
It was Sylvia.
The Alpha's mother.