Chapter 3
Cassian
13 min left
After leaving the bedroom, I didn’t look back. I headed straight for
the tallest building in Smokewind territory–our Packhouse. It was
also the headquarters of Blackwell Industries, and the top floor
belonged to Silver Sky Air, my smuggling air fleet.
The crash of one of our aircrafts yesterday had already drawn
media attention like blood in the water.
As soon as I arrived downstairs, a swarm of reporters circled like ravenous hounds. The patrol team barely held them back, forming a tight barrier that gave me a narrow path through. Still, a few brazen ones pushed in, desperate to dig for dirt.
“Mr. Cassian Blackwell–word is, the Pack has chosen a new
Luna. Is it true?”
“Alpha Cassian! Any official statement on the crash? What happens to the flight crew?”
“Can you comment on the investigation? Will the Werewolf Recon Squad be getting involved in Pack affairs?”
I ignored every question, walking silently through the lobby.
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Chapter 3
**) 13 min left
Just before the elevator arrived, I stopped–and turned around.
The reporters went silent–some even took an unconscious step
back.
I stared them down. If I could, I’d snap their necks right then and there. But with the rise of social media over the past few years, we’ve learned to use the press to our advantage. Pack politics
sometimes need the right kind of publicity.
“Everything is under control,” I said flatly, throwing the words like knives before stepping into the elevator.
The entire morning was a nightmare–private calls from European royals, South American wolf pack alphas, all demanding answers. The Council of Elders had called an emergency session, and with
the chaos around the new trade routes, the crash had lit a fire
under everything.
By noon, I was finally back in my office. I dropped onto the couch. with a sigh, shrugging off my suit jacket before heading to the liquor cabinet. I poured myself a glass of whiskey, let it burn down my throat, then wandered over to my desk.
It was nearly empty just a few documents waiting for my
signature.
Another swig of whiskey hit my stomach like a fist.
2/11
21:04
Chapter 3
Where the hell was my food?
13 min leff
Normally, Gemma would have already sent over something hot -something I actually wanted to eat. She always made sure the staff delivered it just the way I liked it.
But today, nothing.
“Our mate is pissed, dumbass! What the hell did you expect?” my
wolf snarled inside me.
And then I remembered–Gemma had the guts to sever our bond
yesterday.
Hah. Three years ago she schemed her way into my life, forced me to marry her. And now she thinks she can just walk away?
Not a chance.
Gemma
It didn’t take long to pack. I didn’t have much to begin with.
That Luna title–so many she–wolves would kill for it–meant absolutely nothing to me.
There was no mating ceremony when we got married. No Luna
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21:04
Chapter 3
(†) 13 min left
robes. No jewelry. Even after the wedding, I was still the same girl with no wolf, someone most of the pack looked down on.
Even this villa? Cassian barely ever showed up. The only times he came back were when his grandfather was visiting.
It’s been three years.
I should’ve known by now–I was never going to get Cassian’s love. A mate who isn’t accepted by her partner will never be blessed by the Moon Goddess. The ache in my chest hurt far more than anything physical.
I wrapped my arms around myself, took a shaky breath, and
whispered: This is the last time I’ll cry over Cassian Blackwell.
Then I grabbed my suitcase and walked out.
The butler looked surprised, glancing toward the dining table.
“Luna, the ingredients for lunch are prepped, but if we start
cooking now, there won’t be time to deliver it to the Alpha’s office
Η
“I don’t care,” I cut him off.
Suddenly, a wild idea popped into my head.I pulled out my phone and opened a food delivery app.Cassian always insisted on
4/11
21:04
Chapter 3
keeping our marriage a secret.
But after today? We’ll be divorced.
To hell with secrets.
I’m going to celebrate–loudly.
Cassian
13 min left
By the time I wrapped up work, it was already late afternoon.
There was a knock at the door. My beta, Adam Stein, walked in carrying a folder and what looked like a takeout box.
I knew it. Gemma just wanted my attention. Deep down, she was still playing her role as my quiet little “secret” wife.
“Alpha, I have some updates,” Adam said.
Adam’s one of my most trusted beta–young, short, with curly brown hair and a sharp mind. He’s also the only one who knows about my secret marriage with Gemma. Usually, he’s composed and confident. But today? He looked unsettled. Nervous.
“What is it?” Dammit. All I could think about was that food box.
“According to the investigation,” Adam said carefully, “Luna
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21:04
Chapter 3
Gemma… was on the crashed plane.”
13 min loft
“What?” I roared, nearly shifting on the spot. My claws itched to tear something apart–starting with Adam’s throat.
I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing my fury down.
“What the hell do you mean she was on that plane? I made it
crystal clear when she was hired–she wasn’t allowed on any
aircraft.”
Adam stepped back, visibly shaken by my Alpha presence.
“That was a top–level override order, Alpha Cassian.”
“I never issued any goddamn override,” I growled. “Find out who
did. Now!”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“She got hurt in that crash! Our mate–your orders endangered
her!”
My wolf howled inside me, his rage laced with pain.
A gnawing unease clawed at my gut. A part of me wanted to bolt straight home to her. But then the realization sank in–Gemma
had nearly died. That blood scent last night hadn’t been my
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21:04
Chapter 3
** 13 min left
Imagination. It wasn’t just her first time… she was bleeding because she’d been hurt.
I couldn’t stop the image from flashing in my mind–her last night, standing there in that dress, her curves, those long legs, her firm breasts, and those green eyes, wide with something between fear and resignation. I was in heat, and lost control. I didn’t even notice the injuries…
My clenched my fists. Someone had put her on that plane. And someone would pay for it.
Maybe it was another mafia–aligned pack family. We were all
powerful. All corrupt. All battling for land, influence, and control
over the Werewolf Council.
Whoever it was–they were dead men walking.
The only way to stop violence is with something even more
terrifying.
“And… one more thing,” Adam added, hesitant, eyes darting
toward the floor.
“What now?”
“Luna… sent over 100 lunch boxes from a catering service. And a gift. Said it was to… celebrate her divorce from you.”
7/11
21:04
Chapter 3
11 min loff
My head was pounding, and the wolf Inside me started roaring as soon as I heard the news,
“No! No! No! Bro, you have to apologize to our mate! We absolutely cannot lose her!”
I pushed down the wolf’s wild howling, forcing my face to stay
calm.
I clenched my jaw tight, trying to keep control–but inside, the fire was about to consume me.Was she serious about what she said
yesterday?
No way.
“And one more thing…” Adam quickly slammed a document on
my desk, then stepped back two big steps.
“It’s a divorce agreement from Luna.”
I skimmed through it fast. I thought Gemma would demand half
of the Blackwell fortune–but no. She only wanted the house her
mother left her. Seaside Manor.
“Where is she?” I gripped that damn paper, my claws itching to tear it apart.
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21:06
Chapter 3
11 min left
Adam froze for a second, then pulled out his phone. “I’m checking
now.”
I couldn’t wait. I stood up in one motion, grabbed that stupid
agreement, and stormed out of the office. I had to find Gemma. I
needed answers.
At the lobby, people whispered as I passed. When they saw
me, they immediately stopped talking. In the sudden silence, a loudspeaker blasted:
“Here’s food for everyone! To celebrate–finally divorcing Alpha Cassian! Free from three years of a sexless marriage!”
Gemma!!! Fuck!
I tightened my jaw and sprinted to the underground garage.
was
When I stormed back into the villa, she gone. The servants
were cleaning. Blood stained the sheets. Bandages lay scattered
on the floor.
“I really need you, Cassian,” I suddenly remembered her words.
She was hurt. She needed me to soothe her, to help her.
“Alpha, Luna left this morning with her luggage…” A few servants
bowed their heads, uneasy. One older servant looked up at me.
“Luna said… she’s not coming back.”
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21:06
Chapter 3
11 min left
Not coming back? I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. Damn it!
I never agreed to this divorce. And she had the nerve to run off?
How dare she? And to just leave a signed agreement behind and vanish???
“Adam.” I opened the mindlink.
“Yes, Alpha.”
“I want to know where Gemma is now.”
Adam stayed silent. Too long.
“Speak.”
“Alpha Cassian, Luna disappeared. There’s no trace of her
offline, and online.”
“it’s like she vanished into thin air.”
I froze, staring at the bloody bandages, teeth grinding.
“Use whatever means necessary. Mobilize the entire pack patrol.
Find her.”
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