Haley's POV:
The Sanctuary was a paradise built for the elite of the werewolf world.
Located on a private island, it was neutral ground. No pack politics, no wars. Just luxury, healing, and obscenely expensive cocktails.
I was lying on a massage table on a balcony overlooking the turquoise sea. The air smelled of sea salt and hibiscus.
"Dr. Hogan?"
I opened one eye. A young cabana attendant stood there, holding a silver tray with a phone on it.
"I told you, no calls," I murmured.
"It's the High Council, ma'am. And... the police."
I sat up and pulled my silk robe tight around me. "The police?"
I took the phone. "This is Dr. Hogan."
"Dr. Hogan, this is Detective Miller from the Financial Crimes Unit. We received an automated fraud alert from your accounts."
"Yes," I said, swinging my legs off the table. "I authorized the freeze."
"We apprehended a suspect in Kansas, a Mr. Jackson Dorsey. He attempted to forcefully access an electronic vault using old passcodes. When he failed, he tried to physically intimidate a teller at a local bank branch."
I laughed. A short, sharp bark of laughter. Jackson, trying to pull rank as an Alpha on a human bank teller. He really was an idiot.
"Is he under arrest?"
"He's in custody. He claims this is a misunderstanding. He says he's your husband and has rights to the money."
"He became my ex-husband four hours ago," I corrected. "And the money is in a pre-marital trust fund. His name isn't on it. It's attempted grand larceny."
"Understood, ma'am. We will hold him. Do you wish to press charges?"
I looked out at the ocean. I thought about five years of disrespect. I thought about that economy ticket.
"Yes," I said. "Press charges. And Detective? He might try to claim diplomatic immunity as a 'Pack Alpha.' Please inform him that the Dorsey Pack is a registered corporation, and he is merely a terminated CEO."
"Will do."
I hung up.
The attendant handed me another folder. "This arrived from your lawyer."
I opened it. It was a status report on the Dorsey Pack.
Subject: Dorsey Pack Status.
Location: Motel 6 off Interstate 70, Kansas.
Status: Destitute.
There were photos attached. One showed Cornelia sitting on a curb, eating a plastic-wrapped sandwich. She looked traumatized.
Another photo showed Amber. She was screaming at the motel receptionist.
The report noted: "Ms. Compton attempted to sell a 'family heirloom' at a local pawn shop to cover room and board. The item was identified as a fake. She fled the premises when the owner threatened to call the police."
I scoffed. "My pearl necklace." Jackson had stolen it from my jewelry box to give to her. "Of course they were real, but Amber looked so trashy the pawnbroker probably assumed she stole a fake."
Cutting the funding brings instant karma.
My phone rang again. This time it was a video call from an unknown number.
I answered.
It was the Alpha of the Blood River Pack-one of the most powerful packs in the North.
"Dr. Hogan," Alpha Kane's deep voice rumbled. He was ruggedly handsome, bearing scars that told stories of real battles, not Jackson's fake posturing.
"Alpha Kane. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I heard you are... newly available," he said, a glint in his eye. "And that you're in St. Barts. My Beta took a heavy hit from a rogue bear. His leg is shattered. The local docs say he'll walk with a limp for the rest of his life."
"And you want me to come fix him?"
"I'll pay," Kane said. "Double your usual rate. Plus... I'd like to take you to dinner. To discuss business, of course."
I felt a flutter in my chest. Not a mate bond-that was gone. Just pure, primal attraction.
"I'm expensive, Alpha Kane," I said, leaning back.
"Quality always is," he replied. "My private jet can be there in two hours."
"Make it three," I said. "I have a massage to finish."
I hung up.
I looked at the attendant. "Bring me another mimosa. And tell the spa I want the 'Rebirth' package."
I lay back down.
My white wolf, my inner beast, stretched luxuriously. She felt powerful. She felt seen.
For five years, I had been the shadow behind a weak man. I had dimmed my own light so he could shine.
Not anymore.
The Dorsey Pack was crumbling in a cheap motel in Kansas.
And Dr. Luna's empire was just getting started.
