Allison's POV
The morning sun streamed through Bella's spare bedroom window as I finished my final yoga pose. For a moment, my body held steady even when my heart didn't.
I held the warrior position, breathing deeply, feeling strength flow through my body. Jasmine, my wolf, purred contentedly within me as I maintained perfect balance.
We're stronger now, she whispered in my mind. Her voice felt warmer than it had in weeks.
Three days away from the pack house had transformed me in ways I hadn't expected. Without the constant pressure to be the perfect Luna, I found myself remembering who Allison Carter really was. Not Storm's Luna. Not anyone's shadow. Just. me.
The doorbell rang just as I was rolling up my yoga mat. I padded barefoot through Bella's cozy apartment, wondering who could be visiting this early. The floorboards were cool against my soles-grounding, real.
A courier stood at the door, holding a large envelope. "Delivery for Allison Carter," he announced formally.
My heart skipped as I recognized the law firm's embossed logo in the corner. "Thank you," I murmured, signing for the package with suddenly trembling fingers. The pen felt too slick. My signature came out sharper than usual-like my hand already knew what it wanted.
Back in the living room, I carefully opened the envelope. Inside were the divorce papers I'd sent to Lucian just yesterday-the ones I'd read three times before I dared seal them-but now they bore his signature, his bold handwriting slashed across every marked line. He hadn't contested a single term.
I stared at the papers, a strange mix of emotions washing over me. Relief, certainly. But also a hollow ache I hadn't anticipated. Not because I wanted him back-because I couldn't believe it was this easy to be thrown away.
"It's done," I whispered to myself. The words tasted unreal. Like saying a spell and waiting for the world to change.
Freedom, Jasmine purred. We're finally free. Her satisfaction pressed against my ribs, steady and protective.
I reached for my phone and dialed Bella's number, needing to share this momentous news with someone who would understand.
"Morning, sunshine!" Bella's cheerful voice came through after two rings. "How's my favorite refugee from Alpha-dom?"
"He signed them," I said simply. My voice didn't shake. That surprised me.
A brief silence, then: "The divorce papers? Already?"
"They just arrived. He signed everything, Bella. No contest, no changes to my terms." I swallowed hard. "It's like he couldn't wait to be rid of me."
"Or his Beta slipped them into his regular paperwork and he signed without reading," Bella offered drily. "You know how Lucian is with anything that doesn't involve millions of dollars or his precious white wolf."
I laughed despite myself. The sound came out cracked, then real. "Either way, it's done. I'm officially almost-divorced."
"Then we need to celebrate!" Bella declared, her voice rising with excitement. "I'm taking an early lunch. Be ready in thirty minutes-we're going to Embers."
"Okay," I said softly.
Embers was the most exclusive restaurant downtown, known for its perfect fusion of traditional pack cuisine with modern culinary techniques.
The place smelled like roasted spices and expensive confidence. I sank into the plush seat, letting the quiet luxury wrap around me like a blanket. For a heartbeat, I almost forgot the hospital smell. Almost forgot the bills waiting behind my relief-my mother's care, the future, the way freedom still cost something.
"To new beginnings," Bella declared once our champagne arrived, raising her glass. "And to never again having to pretend that undercooked steak is acceptable just because an Alpha likes it that way."
I laughed, clinking my glass against hers, but my mind still counted bills in the background.
Our conversation flowed easily through appetizers and entrees, punctuated by laughter as Bella recounted her latest dating disaster and I shared stories of my most ridiculous moments catering to Lucian's whims.
"Remember when he made you redo the entire guest room because his mother said the shade of blue was 'common'?" Bella rolled her eyes.
"Or when I spent three weeks researching and preparing that special herbal remedy for his ulcer, and he never once asked where it came from?" I added, surprised at how I could now laugh about things that had once made me cry. As if the distance had turned old wounds into something I could finally name.
As we finished dessert, I felt truly relaxed for the first time in years.
"Allison Carter? Is that really you?"
The deep voice made me freeze. I turned to see Alpha Peter, Alpha of the Silver Lake Pack and founder of Knight Jewels, standing beside our table. His trademark silver-streaked dark hair and piercing gray eyes were instantly recognizable-he'd been featured in countless business magazines as one of the most successful Alpha entrepreneurs in the country.
"Alpha Peter," I managed, suddenly conscious of my simple outfit and minimal makeup. "What a surprise."
"The surprise is mine," he said, his eyes warm with genuine pleasure. "You look even more beautiful than I remember. The years have been kind to you."
I knew it was just polite flattery. How could three years of being a neglected housewife have improved my appearance?
"So," Peter said gently, his tone shifting as if he sensed I'd gone somewhere dark, "would my elusive piano-inspired jewelry designer finally consider coming back to Knight Jewels?"
I looked up at him, seeing the same hopeful expression he'd worn four years ago. Only this time, he'd used the word back.
The truth was, I'd never actually worked at Knight Jewels. Peter and I had met during my freshman year of college. By chance, he had visited my university scouting for fresh design talent. He'd found me sitting alone in the campus courtyard, quietly sketching jewelry inspired by the graceful lines of grand pianos.
My concept had captivated Peter. To transform the idea into actual jewelry, I'd even developed new stone-cutting and setting techniques. Peter had immediately offered me a position at Knight Jewels, saying I could work part-time while completing my studies.
But I had declined. I had no passion for the jewelry industry; my heart belonged to my research work. And I preferred anonymity, so I'd used a pseudonym-"E.C."-and agreed only to a royalty arrangement for the "Piano" collection.
To everyone's surprise, the collection had become an overnight sensation, and my pseudonym had transformed into a mysterious jewelry design legend.
With a start, I suddenly remembered the bank account where those royalty payments had been quietly accumulating for years-money Lucian knew nothing about. I'd been so consumed with being the perfect wife that I'd almost forgotten my life before him. Almost forgotten I'd built something valuable with my own hands.
"I'm afraid I must decline again, Peter," I said with a gentle smile. "But I appreciate the offer."
"Well, at least say you'll come to our fourth anniversary celebration for the 'Piano' collection next week." He persisted. "It wouldn't be right without the designer who started it all."
Before I could respond, Bella jumped in. "She would love to!"
"Bella!" I protested, but she ignored me.
"She'll definitely be there," my friend assured Peter. "We both will."
Peter beamed, obviously pleased. "Excellent! It's black tie, of course. I'll have VIP passes sent to you tomorrow."
After exchanging contact information and goodbyes, Peter left us to finish our dessert. I turned to Bella with an accusatory stare.
"Why would you do that? I have nothing to wear to a black-tie event, and I haven't been in public like that since-"
"Since you locked yourself away in that mansion to please a man who didn't deserve you," Bella finished for me. "And as for having nothing to wear, darling, that's what I'm for." Her eyes gleamed with excitement. "Shopping spree tomorrow. My treat."
As we drove home, I couldn't help voicing my concerns. "I don't know, Bella. I haven't been to anything formal in years. I'll feel out of place."
"Nonsense," she dismissed my worries with a wave of her hand. "It's like riding a bike. Besides, don't you want to see the look on Lucian's face when you walk in looking absolutely gorgeous?"
I turned to her, surprised. "What do you mean?"
Bella smirked. "Oh, did I forget to mention? Storm Industries is one of Knight's biggest investors. Your ex mate and his precious Heidi will definitely be there." Her grin turned sharp. "Wouldn't it be satisfying to show them exactly what he's losing?"
"You know what?" I said, a slow smile spreading across my face. "You're absolutely right. It's time they saw the real Allison Carter."
