Chapter 9

Theo’s Pov The air in my office was stale and tense. I was staring at the wall, but my mind was wandering about what Selena said about the settlement. I was hurting her, and in turn it was hurting me. The door opened, and Owen, my Beta, walked in looking annoyed. "She refused the villa," He said, tossing a folder onto my desk. I blinked, sitting up straighter. “What?” "Luna," Owen said, shaking his head. “She doesn't want the house up North. She says she wants a clean break. She doesn't want to live on Pack land.” I felt a sharp pang in my chest. A clean break? That wasn't part of the plan. The villa was perfect. It was safe, it was secluded, and it was close enough that my guards could watch over her without her knowing. "What does she want instead?" I asked, trying to make sense of everything. "Cash, and not a small amount. She’s demanding fifteen million dollars. If you agree, she says she will sign the divorce papers immediately and disappear." Owen crossed his arms, his face twisting into a sneer. “I told you, Alpha. These Omegas are all the same. She played the part of the shy, humble wife for three years, but now that the end is here, she’s showing her true colors. She’s just a vain, greedy woman looking for a payout.” "Watch your mouth!" I snapped. The command came out as a low, dangerous growl, and my wolf filled the room with heavy pressure. Owen took a step back, his eyes widening in fear. “Alpha... I just meant...” "You do not speak about her like that, you never speak about your Luna like that ever again." I said, my voice icy. “Selena is not vain. She has never asked me for a single penny in three years. She wears simple clothes. She drives an old car. If she is asking for money now, she has a reason.” I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the pack grounds. Why did she want fifteen million dollars? It was a fortune. Lexus, who had been sitting quietly on the leather sofa, finally spoke up. "Think about it, Theo. She’s an orphan. She has no parents to go back to. She has no job because your mother made her quit. And..." He paused. “She has no children.” I stiffened. "She is alone in the world," Lexus continued. “The villa is property, but it’s not liquid. Cash is security. Cash means she doesn't have to depend on anyone. Maybe she’s just scared.” The words hit me hard. No children. I looked down at my hands. I wanted children with Selena more than anything. I dreamed of a little girl with her dark eyes and my smile. I dreamed of a son who would lead the pack one day. I am doing this for our future children, I told myself. I am breaking her heart now so I can give her a safe, happy life later. When we remarry, we will fill this house with babies. "Give it to her," I said, turning back to Owen. "What?" Owen gasped. “Alpha, fifteen million is a huge amount of liquid cash. Your father Michael will never approve the withdrawal. He’ll flip out.” "Let him flip out," I said calmly. “My father wants this divorce more than he wants his right arm. He wants me to marry Claire to secure the alliance, and if the price of getting Selena to sign those papers is fifteen million, he will pay it.” “But—” "Redraw the agreement, Owen," I commanded. “Put the fifteen million in. Get the check ready. I want this done.” Owen sighed, realizing he couldn't win this argument. “Fine. I’ll get the lawyers on it.” He turned and walked out of the office, muttering about the cost. Lexus stood up and walked over to the minibar to pour us both a drink. He handed me a glass of whiskey. "You're taking a big risk, Theo," he said, leaning against the desk. "It's calculated," I replied, taking a sip. "Is it?" Lexus raised an eyebrow. “Fifteen million dollars is 'run away and never come back' money. What if she takes it and leaves the country? What if she vanishes?” I swirled the amber liquid in my glass. “She won't.” “How can you be so sure?” "Because she’s Selena," I said, a small, sad smile touching my lips. “She’s an orphan, Lexus. She’s never stepped foot outside the Sirius Pack territory since she arrived. She’s timid, and she doesn't know the world out there. She’ll take the money and buy a nice apartment in the city nearby. She’ll stay close to what she knows.” I looked at the calendar on the wall. Midnight has arrived. I am one step closer to my plan. 4 Days. "Besides, she won't have time to run." I walked over to the calendar and traced the date. “In four days, the divorce becomes official. The next day, I host the engagement ceremony with Claire. I'll wrap everything up soon.” "The day you sign your life away," Lexus noted. "The day I win," I corrected him. “The second the ink is dry, and I'm in control. I will strip my father of his power and announce that the engagement to Claire is a sham.” “And then?” "And then I go find Selena," I said, my heart beating faster just by thinking about it. “I will get on my knees and explain everything, why I had to be cold, why I had to lie, and then I will give her the ring I made for her.” "You think she'll forgive you?" Lexus asked softly. "I have to believe she will," I whispered. “She loves me. I feel it every night. She fought for us. Now, it’s my turn to fight for her.” I finished the whiskey in one gulp and slammed the glass down. “Four days, Lexus. Just four more days of this nightmare. Then I get my Luna back, and we can finally start our real life.” 4 days left. I can't wait to end it all, then hold Selena again, kiss her, touch her, and tell her I'm sorry. We will have a new life.