Trista’s POV“I want a divorce and to end our mate bond.” I didn't expect this to be the first thing my alpha husband said to me on the night of our 3rd wedding anniversary… -Few hours ago-“Please, Moon Goddess, open the mindlink!” I prayed, but it didn’t work. Liam had closed it.I prepared a fancier-than-usual dinner for this special day, but my husband turned off the mindlink to me.It's already 9:40pm, so I scraped his plate of steak and mashed potatoes, (now cold), into a container. My maid could take it home for her children. I worked hard on that dinner. I wanted someone to enjoy it.I squinted as I tried to snap the lid shut. I reached for my glasses. My eyesight isn’t so great, so I have to wear these thick-rimmed glasses. That’s more than I can say for my poor wolf, though. My wolf was born blind. There’s no glasses to help with that.I sighed deeply and sat at the kitchen table. I’d been Luna of Blue Moon Crescent Pack for three years, but I didn’t feel like a Luna at a
Trista’s POVI tossed and turned all night. I got up with the sunrise, but Liam was already gone. So I slapped some makeup on my face to try to cover the dark circles under my eyes. It didn’t help though. My eyes were too swollen from crying. Divorce.The word hit me again and my stomach turned. I couldn’t…I couldn’t even think about it. So instead I started my daily cleaning routine. The maids tip-toed around me, casting me sympathetic looks. They knew something was off with me and Liam. But they were kind enough not to mention it. They gently helped with my housework to show their support.Divorce.I scrubbed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees as hard as I could, like I was trying to scrub away the word. It just kept coming back though.At 10:00am, the kitchen door flew open. It was Hazel, Beta Jack’s daughter and my best friend.“Tell me everything,” she said, her eyes wide and sympathetic like my maids’.I smiled gratefully at her. Judging by the look on her face, she alr
Trista’s POV “He’ll reconsider, I know he will,” Hazel said.Hazel and her dad, Beta Jack, walked with me to meet Liam at the elders on Monday morning.“You’ve been a good Luna, Trista,” Jack assured me. “There’s no reason for him to divorce you.”We got to the elders but Liam wasn’t there yet. I hadn’t seen him since he told me he wanted the divorce.The elders instructed us to take a seat and wait.“Do you know where he’s been staying?” I asked Jack. Jack shook his head.“But it looks like you can ask him yourself, because here he is,” Jack said.Sure enough, Liam had entered the room…with another woman on his arm!!!I blinked in disbelief. Another woman? But who?“Trista,” he said snidely. “Meet the NEW Luna, Lucy.”New Luna? But we weren’t even divorced yet! I squinted, trying to make out the woman’s face. But I couldn’t see her clearly. They took their seats across from us. The elders stood. The woman looked at me smugly. Was she…was she the reason he wanted a divorce?“W
Trista’s POV“And sign the divorce paper as well,” Liam snidely slid the files across the table. I breathed deeply. This was for the best. I would leave the pack and reintegrate into human society. I could start over. I had my degrees and experience in the human world. It wouldn’t be that bad.“Here, I have a pen,” Lucy scoffed. I locked eyes with hers. If this was the woman he loved, an omega from a different pack, then so be it. I was done. I was so over this. I grabbed the pen and quickly slapped my name onto the papers. Then I slid it towards the elders. They read the papers recognizing our divorce.And just like that, it was over.I was no longer Luna.“Trista is entitled to half the pack’s wealth,” Hazel said.What was she doing? I shot her a look that said, ‘stop it, no,’ but she continued. “The pack is only rich now because of Trista. All the wealth we have, Trista earned it. When humans divorce, they share their wealth. It’s the law. Trista should receive compensation. How e
Trista’s POVMy paper gown crinkled as I laid down on the bed for an ultrasound. I wouldn’t normally go to a human hospital but what choice did I have? I was exiled. So I’d found a small but cheap hospital one town over from Summerset. Because the hospital was small and cheap, I knew their equipment wouldn’t be very accurate. They wouldn’t pick up on any of the ‘wolf’ in me.The doctor was nice. I described my symptoms and he suggested an ultra sound. He smeared the cold jelly on my stomach.“Ah,” he said, smiling. “I thought that might be the case. See here?” He pointed at the screen and I looked over. “That small ball, right there. That’s your baby. Congratulations! You’re pregnant!”Preg…nant?What?He smiled kindly at me. “I assume from the look on your face that you weren’t planning this?” I shook my head in disbelief. I’d been trying to conceive for three years! To give Liam the heirs he so desperately wanted! How was it possible that I was finally pregnant…now…right after he di
Trista’s POV“Stop your foolish tricks! I haven’t even touched you for months! It can’t be my baby!” Liam spat out, his voice seething. “Who’s bastard seed is in your fucking womb, Trista. Who were you screwing around with?”I gasped, shocked by his words. We’ve been together for three years, he should have known what kind of a person I am. “Liam, I never cheated on you. The baby is yours.” He must have forgotten the night he came home drunk from the pack social night. We had sex that night. It was about a month ago before we divorced.Lucy looked nervous. She bit her lip. But then he started yelling at me and she relaxed. “Are you stupid?” he scoffed at me. “Do you think I want a blind heir? Blind like you and your useless wolf?”“I…no…I,” I stuttered.“It’s not mine,” he stated. “I can’t feel my heir. If it was really mine in that disgusting womb of yours, I’d be able to feel it.”No, you wouldn’t, I said to myself. You already rejected me. Plus, the baby was still so tiny. Only six
Trista’s POV*Five years later*“Billy! Belle! Lunch!” I called. My two precious twins came running in through the door. They just turned five and they’re one heck of a handful, but they’re the most wonderful children in the world. The sun streamed in through my oversized, floor to ceiling window. We sat at the table and I sighed with contentment.I had thought I would have one lovely child, but didn't realize they turned out to be two. So I have both an adorable angelic girl and a smart and handsome boy. They made me the luckiest mom ever.Just then, the phone rang. It was Jonhson, the CEO of JL Jewelry and my boss. He had also become a good friend. When I packed up five years ago and made the risky decision to move here, to Milan, he hired me on the spot. He said he saw ‘real potential’ in my designs. I was a little worried, because I was pregnant. Could I do this all on my own? But when the babies came, he gave me a generous bonus so I could afford the best daycare in Milan.“Trist
Trista’s POVWe boarded the red eye to New York. From there, a driver would take us up the coast to Summerset where we would stay at the Four Seasons Resort.“Nervous about flying?” Jonhson asked me. I was wringing my hands on my lap. “Or is it Billy and Belle? Don’t worry, they’re in good hands.”They were. They were staying with Johnson’s parents. The twins loved his parents. Once Johnson took the kids to his parents on a vacation for a nice summer day in order for me to focus on creating the drawings for my new products. I am truly grateful to Johnson's parents for providing me with very just the right amount of help every time. I think I'll find some time to visit them and tell them my thanks in person.Johnson thought I was anxious about the flight or my kids. I was anxious, yes, but not about the flight or the kids. I was anxious about running into Liam. I didn’t want to tell him that, though, so I just nodded. “I know. You’re right. Billy and Belle will be just fine.
Trista’s POVThe overall feeling in the room plummeted the moment the word ‘lycan’ left Dagny’s mouth. It was as though the very air had turned ice cold. The tension was palpable.I suddenly realized that maybe Dagny was right. Because Lycans are so rare and they basically only exist in our legends and moldy ancient books, we basically know nothing about them.Dagny sat, perched on the edge of her seat, her chin jutted high in the air, looking like a royal queen. Liam sat beside me, completely shocked.“Does that clear things up, dear?” Dagny asked sardonically. She smiled smugly at Liam. Her entire demeanor had shifted. The once friendly and warm Dagny had been replaced by this indignant Dagny. Her attitude towards Liam was clearly unfriendly now. In fact, it was almost antagonistic.At first, I thought Dagny’s shift in attitude was because Liam had offended her by making fun of her blood pack. But I could see now there was something much deeper going on. Dagny said the word ‘Lycan’
Trista’s POVI glanced over at Liam. He’d been listening to the whole story, completely silent. But now he spoke up.“I remember him,” Liam said. “The man from Milan.”“What do you make of all this?” I asked Liam. I was curious to know his thoughts on everything. All eyes turned to Liam. He inhaled a sharp breath.“Well, first off, I have to say I’m surprised to hear that Johnson comes from a mafia wolf family. I mean, I’ve only met him a few times, but he seemed pleasant and courteous enough. I never would have known that he was involved in the mafia.”I could tell that Liam didn’t particularly like admitting that Johnson was pleasant and courteous, but I appreciated that Liam was setting his personal grudge against Johnson aside and giving his honest opinion.Dagny smiled proudly. “We did our best to raise him right, Johnson. I instilled manners in him. I’m happy to hear he’s upholding the values I taught him.”Liam side-eyed me. It wasn’t exactly a compliment. Liam was pointing out
Trista’s POV“Johnson?” I asked, trying to figure out how he played into all of this.“Yes. Shortly after Johnson was born,” Dagny explained, Steward and Felix agreed to part ways. They each had a share in the family business and decided to stop the feuding. They thought it best if they just each focused on their respective fields and leave each other well enough alone. I had the herbal medicine from Darla and Darren that could suppress my wolf, so Steward and I integrated fully into the human world. We decided to raise Johnson there, figuring it was best for him. That’s the last time we saw each other,” Dagny said to Darren. “And I must say, it’s lovely to see you again.”“Likewise,” Darren smiled back. They shared a knowing smile. Although I was surprised that they knew each other, I was happy to see that they seemed to genuinely like one another.Liam shifted in his chair then. I glanced at him, just as he winced.“Are you okay?” I asked him. His face was still pretty pale. His wou
Trista’s POVI stared in disbelief as Dagny and Darren smiled at one another.“I wasn’t sure if you’d recognize me. Time has been kinder to you, I’m afraid. I’m an old man now,” Darren said.They knew each other? But how was that possible?“I’m sorry, “ Dagny said. “That probably took you by surprise. Let me explain.”All eyes turned to Dagny as she began her explanation.“The Cartwright family is very well-known in both Italy and France. As I’m sure you’ve surmised, they own many successful businesses. But that’s just on the surface. Most of their businesses are just fronts because their ancestors gained control of the largest underground mafia organization this region has seen in several generations.”She paused to let the words sink in.“How about some tea,” she said. “I think there’s still some in kitchen, as well as a kettle. This is a lot to process and a hot cup of tea might help.”Before any of us could answer, she scurried off the kitchen. Honestly, I failed to see how a cup
Trista’s POV“It’s a trap,” Dagny said. Her brows furrowed and I could see how stressful this was for her. “These people don’t care about the police. The police are scared of them. They operate in a criminal, underground world. The police can’t protect us. No one can.”I side-eyed Liam and Darren. They both had concerned looks on their faces.So the police were out. If Dagny thought it was a bad idea to go to the police, then I trusted her judgement. But were we supposed to do? “I waited here, for Johnson,” she said sadly. “Otherwise, I would have left as soon as I saw those curtains. I just couldn’t bear the thought of my poor Johnson walking into a trap. It’s another reason I had to risk exposing myself and go to the funeral. I was afraid he would just show up. I tried calling him but I can’t get through to him on his phone. I’ve been worried sick,” she said. A single tear fell from her eye as she wrung the handkerchief in her lap. “I just kept hoping he’d come and I’d get to him
Trista’s POVI asked Dagny if there was somewhere else we could talk. The men in the black suits were eying us up, making me feel uncomfortable. I had so many questions but I knew I couldn’t ask them there, in that church, with all those people around.“There is,” Dagny whispered to me.“I have a car waiting outside,” I told her. She simply nodded and then we made our way outside.We approached the car and relief washed through Liam’s eyes when he saw me.“I was just about to go in for you,” he said sternly. Then his eyes fell on Dagny.I introduced her and both Darren and Liam nodded knowingly. Dagny, on the other hand, looked at them suspiciously. There was a blood stain on Liam’s shirt. His wound was soaking through.“You can trust them,” I assured her. “They’re my friends.”She glanced at me quickly then back at the men in the black suits. They had come out of the church and were eying us across the parking lot.“Let’s go,” Dagny said firmly, and we all climbed into the car. Darre
Trista’s POVThe parking lot to the church was packed. We pulled in and got out. A stream of black-clad people were walking into the church. A few others were mingling outside on the front steps.My heart sank.Was Steward really dead? I really didn’t want that to be true. Both he and Dagny had been very generous to me and my kids when we stayed with them.My mind flashed to Johnson. Where was he? If this really was his father’s funeral, then why wasn’t he here? The only explanation I could think of was that he didn’t know.“Do you want to go inside?” Liam asked, taking my hand. I let him. It felt warm and comforting.“You should wait in the car,” I told him. He’d put a shirt on over his bandage. It looked like the bleeding had stopped, but he was nowhere near fully healed. It was hard for him to walk, I could tell.“She’s right,” Darren said. “I can go with her. You should rest.”“I’m not leaving her,” Liam said. “We don’t know any of these people. They could be dangerous.” His eyes
Trista’s POVI might have poor eyesight, but I have a fantastic memory. As soon as we got close to Johnson’s family estate, I remembered the roads perfectly. Before I knew it, we were heading towards the estate where Johnson’s parents lived.We pulled up and parked the car.“This is it,” I said, opening my car door. But as soon as I did, I could tell that something was wrong. “Stay here for a moment,” I told Darren and Liam. “I just want to check something out.”The air was full with the scent of people – all strangers. And a lot of them, too. They were all sort of milling about, dressed in black.It was very odd. I knew that Dagny and Steward had lived at the estate for a long time, but they didn’t seem very social. At least, they hadn’t when I was there.I saw a group of people huddled in the courtyard, talking in a whispered hush. They seemed to be consoling one another. I really wanted to find out what was going on, so I tried to blend in.I pretended to walk around for a bit, to
I was so shocked that I couldn't speak, let alone know how to comfort him.“That’s… awful,” I told him. I didn't know what other words to use. Poor Darren. It was one thing to be threatened by the Alpha, but it was another thing to be stabbed in the back by your mate. Mate is our closest family member. Because of the bond of the mate bond, we instinctively trust and support our mate and would never betray them for the sake of simple gain. From what I know, this is also why wolf families usually have a stronger bond than humans.Betrayal from our mate is enough to shatter a wolf's faith. I've felt it once. Darren's experience was even worse than mine. “What happened after the accusations?”“Everyone believed her, including Alpha Jeremy. So I was permanently exiled from the pack.”“I know how that feels,” I said sympathetically.“It gets worse though,” Darren said. “Alpha Jeremy issued a wolf hunting order against me. I was a good doctor, but no pack dared to accept me. Not with an or