Seraphina’s POV
Thunderous applause reverberated through the grand hall, filling the air with energy and excitement. I lifted my head high, a confident smile gracing my lips as I stepped onto the stage, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The crowd’s eyes followed my every move—admiration and awe mirrored in their gazes. In this moment, I was the epicenter of their attention, the woman who had defied all odds to claim her rightful place.
The applause and cheers wrapped around me like a warm embrace, yet my focus remained unshaken as my gaze drifted toward Damon.
He stood to the side, his face a perfect portrait of discomfort and bitterness, as if he’d just bitten into something sour. Beside him, Althea clung to his arm like a lifeline, her once-perfectly made-up face now contorted with pale disbelief.
Oh, Damon, I mused inwardly, a flicker of satisfaction warming my chest. When you brought her into our lives and decided to discard me, you couldn’t have imagined this, could you?
Now, under the dazzling lights, surrounded by applause, I stood tall—not as the humiliated ex-Luna, but as a partner in the project that would shape the future.
Sorry to disappoint you, Damon, but I don’t lose.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Caden’s approving smile. As he leaned closer, his low, smooth voice reached my ear.
“Well done,” he murmured, his tone carrying genuine admiration.
I smiled back, my voice soft but steady. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Before Caden could reply, Damon’s growl shattered the moment.
“What are you waiting for?” he barked, barely masking his frustration. “Get over here and sign the damn contract already!”
With an air of calm, I approached the table and picked up the pen. My hand glided across the paper, each stroke of ink sealing my declaration of independence.
Seraphina Laurent
Emerald Howl Pack
A surge of triumph coursed through me. This signature wasn’t just ink on paper—it was the final severing of Damon’s shadow over me, the start of a new chapter for me and my pack. No longer would Emerald Howl Pack be looked down upon. We would forge our own destiny and claim the wealth and respect we deserved.
As the ink dried, fireworks lit up the hall, scattering vibrant confetti that sparkled like tiny jewels. The crowd erupted in another round of applause, the noise washing over me in waves of validation and pride.
Reporters and photographers surged forward, their cameras flashing like stars.
The Photo Op
“Can we get a photo of the three partners together?” one photographer called out, positioning himself in front of the stage.
I stepped forward confidently, positioning myself between Damon and Caden. My posture radiated strength and poise, a stark contrast to the simmering frustration evident on Damon’s face.
Althea, however, had other plans. She strode onto the stage, her smile forced as she sidled up to Damon. Her movements were deliberate, her shoulder bumping into me to push me back.
The photographer frowned, his voice laced with irritation. “Just the partners, please.”
“What?” Althea gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I’m Damon’s future Luna! Surely I deserve to be in the photo.”
The reporter raised an unimpressed brow. “This image is for the front page. We’re focusing on the project partners, not… anyone else.”
Althea’s face flushed with anger. “Do you have any idea who I am? I’ll have you fired!”
The reporter didn’t flinch. “Unfortunately for you, I don’t work for Crimson Hollow Pack. Now, could you kindly step aside and stop blocking Ms. Seraphina?”
A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd. All eyes turned toward Althea, their gazes filled with mockery.
Damon’s tone turned icy as he ordered, “Move aside, Althea.”
Her expression crumbled, her ashen face betraying a mix of anger and humiliation. Slowly, she stepped back, retreating off the stage like a defeated combatant.
I watched her go, a faint smirk curling my lips.
She schemed her way into my position as Luna, but here she is, unable to stand beside him for a simple photograph. How utterly pathetic.
The Ball
With the contract signed, the celebration transitioned into a grand ball. As soon as I descended the stage, I was swarmed by a sea of well-dressed men vying for my attention. Their eyes sparkled with admiration as they showered me with compliments and extended eager invitations to dance.
Flattered, I accepted their praise graciously. Before my marriage to Damon, I had received my fair share of attention at events like these—but never this much.
I attempted to slip away toward the bar for a drink, but the men surrounding me were relentless, pressing glasses of wine into my hands and vying for a moment of my time.
“Ms. Seraphina,” a distinguished gentleman began, his tone filled with excitement. “I’m from Black Mountain Pack. You look breathtaking tonight. I’ve seen pictures of you before, but in person, you’re absolutely radiant.”
I smiled politely. “Thank you.”
Before he could continue, another man stepped in, gently nudging him aside. “Ms. Seraphina,” he interrupted smoothly, “I’m the Alpha of High Wind Pack. The Carnival City project will take some time to break ground—how do you plan to spend the interim?”
“I might visit home,” I replied, keeping my tone light.
“Ah, Emerald Howl Pack is near my territory! Perhaps you’d allow me to host you? We could go horseback riding or hunting—it would be an honor.”
Their enthusiasm was overwhelming. I struggled to find the right words to respond when a deep, commanding voice cut through the crowd.
“I’m afraid she already has other plans,” Caden declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The crowd instinctively parted, bowing their heads respectfully as he approached. His presence was magnetic, his confidence palpable.
When he reached me, he extended his hand, his smile warm but tinged with an air of authority.
“May I?” he asked, his emerald eyes holding mine.
Relieved, I placed my hand in his. “Of course,” I replied, letting him lead me to the dance floor.
For the first time that evening, I felt at ease.
