I've Got Money, It's All I Need Baby

When Sabrina landed in her hometown, she was more relieved than she had ever been in her entire life. She first got herself a hotel room, then had the credit card Asher gave her checked to see just how much was in there. And oh boy, when she saw the number of zeros behind those figures, she knew Christmas had come early.

This was more money than she'd ever handled in her entire life. It was ironic that Asher was paying her more to leave him alone than he did for her to sleep with him. And if Sabrina felt guilty for abandoning the pregnant man at the slightest opportunity, she told herself there was nothing she could have done. The man was after her life—she was just protecting herself.

After having the most sumptuous lunch she'd ever had the pleasure of eating, Sabrina took a cab to her small pack. It was nestled at the very edge of the city, where humans rarely ventured. The Moonshine Pack might be the only pack led by a Luna, which would explain why it was peaceful. She’d only had good memories growing up here; honestly, if she hadn't been fascinated with humans back then, she wouldn’t have left at all.

It felt nice being back home. She admired the never-changing environment as the car wheeled itself around the large space. Finally, they arrived in front of a house. Sabrina paid the taxi extra because she had enough money to get away with it. Excitedly, she knocked at the front door and waited. Soon enough, the wooden door pried open.

“Mom!” Sabrina quickly threw herself into the woman’s embrace.

“Rina! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?” The older woman, though surprised, wrapped her arms happily around her daughter.

“Sorry, Mama. I wanted to surprise you. Is Dad home?”

“No, he had to attend the pack meeting. I heard it’s about the massacre going on in the South. I was so worried about you, dear. Thank God you came home. I don’t know what kind of demon runs the Blood Moon Pack, but he has single-handedly taken a lot of lives.”

“Uh...yeah.” Sabrina wasn’t surprised that even the people here knew about the nonsense Asher was doing. That man wasn’t capable of remorse. She didn’t even want to think about him anymore.

She had a happy reunion with her family that night. The next day, she met up with a childhood friend of hers. She’d known Ethan since she was a child—they went to school together. Ethan had settled down with his mate, and the woman was already expecting a child for him.

“It’s good to have you back,” the Beta said as he pulled her into a warm embrace.

“Me too. God, I never thought I’d miss the quiet life so much.” Here, there was no maniac pregnant Alpha to torment her. “When I settle down, I’ll invite you and Natasha for dinner.”

“All right, Ree. Looking forward to that.”

Despite her parents’ objections, Sabrina returned to her hotel room. That night, she went apartment hunting. She didn’t plan to leave town anytime soon. She would apply to the hospital in town. Though it couldn’t compare to the one she worked for in the city, she had enough money to cope until she got a better position.

The apartment she found was relatively simple yet had everything one might need for comfort. There was even a balcony where she planned to grow some nice flowers. The next day, after moving in, she ran into the Beta who lived next door.

“Hey, you must be the new neighbor.” The man seemed to be in his late twenties. He had brown hair and beautiful green eyes, and when he smiled, the cutest pair of dimples appeared on either side of his cheek. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Sabrina accepted the outstretched hand and shook it. She brushed a strand of hair from her face, flustered. “It’s nice meeting you too. I’m Sabrina.”

“Ryan Heart. Are you new in Elthon, Sabrina?”

“Actually, I was born here. I moved away when I was eighteen to pursue a degree in med school.”

“A doctor—fancy. Well, if you need anything—or nothing at all—I’m just right next door.”

Oh, Moon Goddess, her luck was already picking up. She’d been in town for less than a week and already had someone showing an interest in her. Maybe moving back home was the best decision she’d ever made.

Three days later, Sabrina landed a job at Elthon Hospital, and Ryan finally asked her out. At this point, her life couldn’t possibly be better.

---

Back in the Blood Moon Pack, Asher sat elegantly, but his eyes were murderous as he watched video footage playing on the large television in front of him. The Beta by his side shrank into himself, wanting to appear as small as possible. He wished he could be anywhere else at this moment.

The video showed a beautiful woman dressed in simple gym clothes. Her long blond hair was tied in a loose ponytail. Beside her was a tall, handsome man, his hand wrapped around the woman’s waist. Although the footage had no audio, one could easily guess that the two were talking about something intimate. In the next moment, the man leaned forward and kissed the woman. The glass in Asher’s hands shattered.

He laughed coldly. No wonder she was so anxious to run away—she actually had a lover waiting for her back home.

“How long?”

“This was taken three days ago.”

Asher’s lips curled into a menacing grin. Just a week and three days after leaving, she was already hooking up with another man—a Beta, for that matter. The fact that she opted for someone Asher considered a mere peasant pissed him off to no end. Such a downgrade—it was insulting!

“Amazing. She left to be with another man,” he said. He was alone, and pregnant. Very funny indeed.

The Beta glanced at Asher from the corner of his eye. From what he’d heard, it was the Alpha who had chased the woman away, even going as far as paying her a large sum of money to keep her away. So, Boss, why are you offended now?

“Alpha, we can bring her back here if you wish.”

“There’s no need.” If that treacherous woman didn’t wish to stay, Asher wouldn’t force her—that would only make him seem petty.

He left the room to find his mother. He only came back to the pack to check on how things were going. His mother was very disappointed when she found out her son had no intention of changing his initial plan. He would still conquer the neighboring packs to expand—he needed more power. No punishment from the Moon Goddess would stop him from accomplishing his goal.

He ran into Bella, who was on her way to see him. Asher’s eyes twitched with irritation as the woman threw herself on him.

“Ash, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back to the pack? And what’s up with you? You’re not working out anymore? Your stomach is bulging.” Bella was just about to touch his belly. If she remembered correctly, the last time they slept together, Asher had a well-chiseled chest and sexy abs. But now…

Asher pushed the annoying woman away. He watched her stumble to the ground with great satisfaction. Nosy bitch. “Tell my mother I’m off on a business trip for a few months.” He walked away after saying this.

Bella watched her mate’s retreating back in surprise. She soon exploded in rage. “A few months?! Don’t tell me you’re going back to that woman again!”

She huffed when she received no response. What the hell was wrong with Asher?! Sure, he was always gloomy and hard to get along with in the past, but never to this extent. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was a pregnant woman experiencing hormone changes!