Chapter 0039 – Althea’s POV
I had spun a web of lies so intricately that even Damon, with all his authority, had swallowed it whole. “Lucian’s grey eyes?” I’d told him, with a feigned chuckle, “My grandfather had grey eyes. It must have skipped a generation.” The fool had believed me completely.
But deep down, I knew this lie was as fragile as a glass figurine perched on the edge of a shelf. A single paternity test or even a basic blood type analysis could shatter it entirely, exposing Lucian as not Damon’s son.
And if that happened, my dreams of being Luna, of Lucian inheriting Crimson Hollow Pack’s riches, would vanish in an instant. We’d become the laughingstock of the werewolf world.
“Mom, everything’s going to be fine, right?” Lucian’s small hand tugged on mine, his voice laced with nervousness.
“Of course, sweetie,” I replied, my voice gentle but firm. “Nothing will go wrong.”
Because I would destroy anyone who dared to threaten us.
After tucking Lucian into bed, I summoned the maids to clean up the mess Damon had left. His words rang in my ears like a haunting melody: “You’re nothing compared to her.”
I laughed bitterly to myself. Nothing? I was one step away from being Luna, while Seraphina was nothing more than a discarded divorcee, unwanted by any man of worth.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed, cutting through my thoughts. My father’s name flashed across the screen.
Dread coiled in my stomach like a snake. This wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation.
“Father,” I answered hesitantly.
“You’ve made a mess,” he said coldly, his voice slicing through me like a blade. “I’ve heard everything. Seraphina is now a partner. Lucian is being sent to boarding school. And Damon is growing tired of you.”
“I-I can fix it,” I stammered, clutching the phone as if it could anchor me.
“You said that the last time,” he snapped. “And the time before that. Althea, I don’t give people third chances. You are a failure.”
“Father, please!” My voice cracked as desperation clawed at me. “I tried to poison her, but she survived. Alpha Caden is helping her—everything became so much harder!”
“Only losers talk about excuses,” he sneered. “You are done, Althea.”
“No!” I cried, panic tightening around my throat. “Wait! I have something on Seraphina!”
He paused, his interest piqued. “Speak.”
I gulped, forcing my brain to work quickly. “Seraphina signed the Carnival City contract without consulting her pack. She acted entirely on her own. And I’ve heard she isn’t close to her brother Eason.”
“…If we pit Emerald Howl Pack against Seraphina, they’ll drop out of the project,” he murmured, more to himself than to me.
“Exactly,” I said, my heart racing. Did I just salvage my position?
There was a long, agonizing silence before he spoke again.
“I’ll handle Seraphina myself,” he said coolly.
“What?” I froze, gripping the phone tighter. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll deal with Emerald Howl Pack directly,” he explained. “I might ask one of your siblings for help. You focus on keeping Damon under control.”
“But, Father—”
“Enough,” he cut me off sharply. “Carnival City is too important to leave in your incompetent hands. Stay out of my way.”
The line went dead, leaving me standing there, trembling with the phone still pressed to my ear.
I was sidelined. Again.
Hatred surged in my chest. My father was sending one of my siblings—probably Owen or Holly. But I wouldn’t let them or Seraphina ruin my plans.
As I stared out the window, my heart twisted with malice.
I would send Seraphina to hell myself.
________________________________________
Seraphina’s POV
Caden was leaving today, and I only had one day to pack. It was more than enough. I wasn’t planning on taking much—just my clothes, work files, and my sapphire necklace, a gift from Eason for my 18th birthday.
Everything Damon had ever given me? I left it all behind in the closet. He could give it to Althea, or the next mistress he decided to entertain. I didn’t care anymore.
“And this, Seraphina.” Isla handed me a small stack of papers—the divorce documents.
It was time to finalize everything.
Just as I grabbed the papers and turned toward the door, it creaked open. Damon stepped in, his eyes dark and stormy.
“You’ve already packed?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous. “I told you not to leave with Alpha Caden.”
I held my ground, my voice steady. “That’s none of your business. Sign these papers, Damon. Finalize our divorce and release my soldiers. Tell Althea to transfer the 30 million as soon as possible. I’m done waiting.”
His gaze shifted to the suitcase by my side. “You didn’t take the diamond ring I gave you.”
I laughed bitterly. “That’s our wedding ring, Damon. We’re divorced.”
His lips curled into a smirk. “You think Alpha Caden gives a damn about a divorcee like you? He only dates supermodels and movie stars. You don’t stand a chance with him.”
Anger flared in my chest, but I kept my tone cold. “I don’t need you worrying about my personal life. Are you going to sign the papers or not?”
Instead of answering, Damon grabbed the documents and tore them in half right in front of me.
“What are you doing?!” I gasped, staring at the shredded papers in disbelief.
“I’ve changed my mind,” he said, stepping closer. “I don’t want a divorce. I want you to stay.”
I recoiled. “Are you kidding me? You humiliated me, paraded Althea in front of me, and now you’re saying this?”
“Althea doesn’t matter,” he insisted, grabbing my wrist. “We can work this out. I’m your best option, Seraphina.”
“No! Let go of me!”
BANG!
The door burst open with a loud crash. Damon and I spun around to see Caden standing there, flanked by his soldiers.
His green eyes locked onto Damon’s hand on my wrist, a storm of fury brewing within them.
“What’s going on?” Caden growled, his voice low and dangerous.
