Ava POV:
The fallout was immediate. By the next morning, Crescent Tech's stock had dropped 15%. The banks, run by the shrewd Ironclaw Pack, were already calling in Liam's loans.
"Why go after his money?" my friend Maya asked as we walked through the luxury shopping district. Maya was a human, one of the few who knew about our world. "I thought wolves were all about honor duels."
"Liam doesn't have honor," I said, pausing in front of a jewelry store window. "He has an image. He built his entire identity on being the successful, modern Alpha. If I take that away, he's just a boy who broke a promise."
We entered the store. It was a high-end boutique that specialized in silver-infused jewelry-dangerous for wolves if not handled correctly, but a status symbol for the ultra-rich who wanted to show they could flirt with danger.
And there she was.
Sarah was standing at the counter, pointing at a delicate watch encrusted with diamonds and silver filigree.
"I'll take it," she said loudly. "My mate is celebrating a big victory over his ex."
The salesclerk nodded. "Of course, ma'am. That will be fifty thousand."
Sarah pulled out a sleek black credit card. I recognized it immediately. It was a supplementary card attached to my private account. I had given it to Liam for 'pack emergencies' years ago. He had given it to his mistress.
I felt a cold fury settle in my stomach.
Sarah tapped the card.
Beep. Declined.
She frowned. "Try it again. It's a Black Card. It doesn't have a limit."
Beep. Declined.
The clerk looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, ma'am. The issuer has blocked the card."
"That's impossible!" Sarah screeched. "Do you know who I am? I am the Luna of Crescent Tech!"
"Actually," I said, stepping forward. "You're a thief."
Sarah spun around. Her face went from red to white when she saw me.
"Ava," she hissed. "You... you blocked the card?"
"It's my card, Sarah," I said, my voice projecting clearly through the quiet store. Other customers turned to watch. "I gave it to Liam for emergencies. Buying a silver watch for a mistress is not an emergency."
I walked up to the counter and plucked the card from her hand.
"Hey! Give that back!" Sarah lunged for it, her claws extending slightly.
I caught her wrist. My grip was iron. I squeezed, just a little, letting a fraction of my strength show. Sarah gasped in pain, her knees buckling.
"You are wearing a dress bought with my money. You are driving a car leased in my name. You are living in a pack that runs on my family's charity," I whispered, leaning close so only she could hear. "You think you won the prize? You just stole the dog, Sarah. I own the kennel."
I released her. She stumbled back, rubbing her wrist.
"You're jealous!" she shouted, trying to salvage her dignity. "Liam loves me! He gives me everything!"
"He gives you nothing that isn't mine," I corrected.
I turned to the clerk. "I'll take the watch. And please cut this card in half."
"Yes, Miss Sterling," the clerk said, recognizing me.
Sarah looked around. The other shoppers-some human, some wolf-were snickering. The illusion of the glamorous Luna was shattering. She was just a woman with a declined card and a stolen life.
She turned and ran out of the store, tears of humiliation streaming down her face.
I watched her go. It felt good. But it wasn't enough.
Taking their money was easy. Taking their hope? That was the next step.
My phone buzzed. It was a text from my father.
Come home, Ava. The Elders have found something in the archives about the White Wolf. You need to go to Paris.
Paris. The Sanctuary. The neutral ground where the Lycan Kings lived.
I looked at the silver watch in my hand. It was beautiful, dangerous, and cold.
"Pack your bags, Maya," I said. "We're going to France."
