4. A Difficult Time

After the fight with Castor, I drove aimlessly through the streets. I couldn't believe how quickly everything had fallen apart. 

Castor's betrayal had broken my heart, but his demand that I give him an heir before he would even consider a divorce was the final blow. I wasn't a breeder, and he wasn't about to treat me like one.

 I couldn't stay with him, couldn't bear to live in that house knowing what he had done and what he thought of me. But leaving him wasn't as simple as walking out the door.

The prenuptial agreement. It had been a formality, something I had signed without much thought before the wedding. At the time, I was so in love, so blinded by the fairy tale of being the Luna to the most powerful Alpha in Georgia, that I hadn't bothered to read the fine print. Now, I regretted that more than anything. Castor had texted me, warning me to look at it, telling me I'd be left with nothing if I tried to leave him.

 I didn't want to believe it, but I knew he was right.

He kept texting, the messages becoming more hostile with each one. The initial pleas had quickly turned into threats, his anger in every word. "If you think you can divorce me, you're dreaming. You're too naive, Lila. Take a look at the prenup. You'll leave with nothing."

I parked the car on a quiet street and pulled out my phone, my hands shaking as I scrolled through the document. There it was, in black and white. I hadn't paid attention back then, too caught up in the romance, but now the words felt like a death sentence.

 If I left, I would have nothing. No money, no home, no support. I would be in debt, drowning in legal fees, with no way to start over.

Despair washed over me. I couldn't return to Castor but couldn't live with my parents either. Their house was suffocating, a constant reminder of their disappointment in me, their belief that I had failed as a Luna and a wife. I failed to elevate them to the status they felt they deserved for adopting and raising me. I had to find a way out of this mess, and fast. There was no way I could let Castor win after everything he'd done.

I wiped my tears and opened my phone, searching for divorce lawyers in Augusta. I needed someone who could take on Castor and help me fight for what I deserved. I scrolled through the search results, scanning the names and reviews. One name kept coming up repeatedly.

Lincoln, Greer, and Associates.

The firm was well-known, with a reputation for being ruthless and effective. But it was one name in particular that caught my attention. Declan Lincoln. He was the founding associate, a man who had never lost a case. The reviews were glowing, filled with praise for his tenacity and his willingness to fight to the death for his clients. People said he was a shark who would do whatever it took to win. And that was exactly what I needed.

I couldn't find a single bad review about him. Every article and every testimonial painted him as the perfect lawyer. 

Intelligent, powerful, and relentless. 

He was known for taking on the toughest cases, the ones no one else would touch, and winning. 

And now, I needed him more than ever. I trembled as I bookmarked his contact information, a glimmer of hope breaking through the darkness that had settled over me.

But it wasn't just his reputation that drew me in. There was something else, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. His background was a mystery, with rumors about his connections to wealthy and powerful families, though no one seemed to know exactly where he came from. The secrecy only made him more intriguing, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was the key to my survival.

I knew I had to meet him to see if he would take on my case. If anyone could help me escape this nightmare, it was him. I didn't know what kind of lawyer he was in person, but everything I had read told me he was the best. And right now, I needed the best.

I put my car in gear and started driving again, my mind racing with possibilities. I didn't have a plan yet, but I was beginning to see a way out. I wasn't going to let Castor destroy me or let him take everything I had worked for. I would fight back, and I would win. Somehow, I would find a way.

When I returned to my parents' house, I went straight to my room. I couldn't face them right now, not with everything in my head. I needed time to think and plan my next move. 

I sat on the edge of the bed, my phone in hand, staring at Declan Lincoln's contact information. I had to call him. I had to know if he would take my case.

But the longer I sat there, the more doubt crept in. What if he turned me down? What if he didn't think I had a case? Castor was powerful, and I knew he would use every resource he had to crush me. Could I stand up to him? Could I fight back against everything he was throwing at me?

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I couldn't let the fear paralyze me. I had to do something. I couldn't just sit here and let Castor win. I opened my phone and dialed the number, my heart pounding as I waited for someone to pick up.

"Lincoln, Greer, and Associates," a woman's voice answered. "How can I help you?"

"I need to speak with Declan Lincoln," I said, my voice shaking. "It's urgent."

"May I ask what this is regarding?" she asked, her tone professional.

"It's a divorce case," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need his help."

There was a brief pause. "Mr. Lincoln is very busy, but I can take down your information and have someone get back to you."

"No, I need to speak with him directly," I insisted. "Please, it's essential."

"Let me see what I can do," she said. "Hold on a moment."

I waited, my heart pounding as I listened to the hold music. Every second felt like an eternity. I was terrified that she would come back and tell me he was too busy and couldn't take on my case. But I couldn't give up. I had to fight for this.

Finally, the music stopped, and the woman came back on the line. "Mr. Lincoln can see you tomorrow at three o'clock. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, thank you," I said in relief. "That's perfect."

She gave me the address and ended the call.

I sat there trying to process what had just happened. I had an appointment with Declan Lincoln, the best lawyer in Augusta.

 It wasn't much, but it was a start.

It was the first step in taking back control of my life.

The next day, I drove to the address she had given me. The law firm was located in a sleek, modern building in the heart of the city, contrasting with the old-world charm of Castor's office. I parked the car and took a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves buzzing under my skin.