Aurora
I stood outside the study, still clutching the clipboard pressed to my chest, when I heard Dunstan and Aubrey arguing.
"Why bring her back to the packhouse? Is it because you won’t divorce her—and still plan to restore her as Luna?"
Dunstan scoffed. "I already have a Luna, and that’s you. Why be threatened by someone who’s already a loser?"
I knew he no longer loved me, but hearing the disdain in his voice seemed to crack my ribs into two.
"Then why?" Aubrey demanded.
"She may no longer be useful to me as a wife or Luna, but I need her brain. She’s good with paperwork and communications." Dunstan’s tone turned matter-of-fact. "There’s a deal that needs to be closed soon, and I’m assigning her as my temporary secretary to ensure it doesn’t fall through."
"What? No! You can’t be serious!"
"I am serious. If only you could do those things. When I handed you the inventory of our stockpiles, you didn’t even touch it." He exhaled loudly. "I was disappointed. You begged to be Luna, Aubrey, but you won’t even lift a finger to understand the logistics. What kind of Luna doesn’t know what her pack has in storage?"
"Umm..." Aubrey faltered. She shifted in her seat, eyes narrowing, but her voice softened when she finally spoke. "Of course, I’m not here to do those things. I’m your Luna. My task is to sit beside your throne, right?"
"Exactly. And that’s why I need Aurora for the real work," Dunstan said. "I won’t deny it—she’s good."
Aubrey's tone cooled. "Promise me you only brought her back for those things. Nothing else."
Dunstan let out a low laugh. "But of course. I’m not a dog who’ll consume something he already puked."
My fingers tightened around the clipboard.
I wanted to barge in, but instead, I stood frozen as my wolf said, 'Patience, Aurora. This is actually the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.'
I took a series of deep breaths and nodded.
Let them believe I’m broken.
---
I resumed my duties quietly, handling the council’s documents, read reports, and even presented summaries during meetings.
Dunstan was always impressed, though he barely said so aloud.
Aubrey, however, was always watching me.
One morning, I was preparing coffee in Dunstan’s office when he walked in.
"Thanks," he said as I handed it to him. But instead of drinking it immediately, he continued to gaze at me, saying, "You still haven’t changed, Aurora. Still got that exceptional ability."
I kept my tone cool, laying out the day’s paperwork. "You don’t need to flatter me so I won’t fail again."
He raised a brow. "I’m not flattering you. Just stating facts. I regret putting you in the Dire Oval. You didn’t deserve that."
My hand, which had been flipping through the pages stilled as I thought, 'And you don’t deserve my time either.'
I pushed the stack of reports toward him. "Here are the papers in their proper order. All you need to do is sign." I gave him an innocent smile.
He sat down, placing the untouched coffee beside him, and began signing the documents without reading. I stood by, composed and civil, watching the ink dry on decisions I no longer cared for.
Then the door burst open.
"Babe! Breakfast is ready!" Aubrey chimed. "I made your favorite coffee too."
Dunstan looked at the cup I had prepared.
"It’s okay," I said smoothly. "You don’t have to drink that. Please enjoy your breakfast. I’ll continue my work here."
He shrugged. "Alright. You drink it then. You need something in your stomach too."
I blinked. It was the first hint of concern I’d heard from him in a long time.
Aubrey's eyes narrowed. "Don’t get any ideas, omega. You may wear decent clothes now, but you still reek of desperation. This packhouse isn’t yours anymore. Remember that every time you breathe the air in here."
"Come on," Dunstan muttered, annoyed. "I don’t want negativity in the morning."
He pressed a kiss to her cheek. She giggled, pleased, and they left together.
Once they were gone, I returned to the desk and began sorting the signed papers.
My lips slowly curled.
He had no idea he had signed our divorce papers, along with the official severed mate bond declaration.
I was officially free and unmated.
---
Dominic
The bedroom was too masculine. All dark wood and sharp edges. It looked like it belonged to someone permanently angry. I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Tessa stroll in with her measuring tape and sketchpad.
"Make it unisex," I told her. "The current vibe is... testosterone and trauma."
Tessa gave me a look, one brow raised. "If I didn’t know this was just an arrangement, I’d think you had a crush on this Aurora."
I rolled my eyes, exhaling hard through my nose. "Just do the job."
She snorted but got to work.
Then my phone buzzed.
It was the office. My secretary’s voice came through the speaker. "Sir, I think you’ll want to see this. Riverbanks just submitted a bid for the Richmond account. And it’s... incredible."
I was already grabbing my coat.
Half an hour later, I stepped into the glass lobby of Richmond Tower. The city skyline blinked beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. My secretary handed me the file, and I flipped it open on the elevator ride.
Then I saw the name.
Prepared by: Aurora Aspen.
I smiled. Just slightly.
"We’ll choose this one," I said aloud.
In my mind: I’m choosing you.
