Chapter 1

The morning after her wedding, Amanda Robinson woke up in the Alpha's mansion with a heavy feeling in her chest. The silver moon crest above the bed reminded her that she was now the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, but the title brought her no happiness because her marriage to Louis Jones had been built around power, duty, and the promise of saving her father's failing company.

The bedroom door opened, and Louis walked inside in his black Alpha uniform. He looked at Amanda sitting on the edge of the bed and gave a mocking laugh. “Is that all the courage you have this morning? You certainly looked brave yesterday when you splashed red wine on Francine in front of the entire pack.”

Amanda lowered her eyes, remembering the incident during their wedding celebration. “I already apologized to her, Louis. It was an accident, and I never meant to embarrass Francine.”

Louis walked closer and leaned against the bedpost. “You should remember that Francine is my secretary and someone I trust. As my Luna, you need to know your place and stop causing problems with her.”

Amanda's fingers tightened around the blanket, but she forced herself to remain calm. “I understand. It won't happen again.”

Louis seemed satisfied by her answer and gently ruffled her hair. “Good. Then remember that. Don't pick on Francine anymore just because you're my mate and Luna.”

Amanda looked at him silently, hiding the pain in her eyes. Darcy, her inner wolf, stirred uneasily inside her mind. I don't like the way he treats us.

He's only angry about what happened yesterday, Amanda answered quietly through their mind link.

Louis reached into his coat and pulled out a black bank card, placing it on the table beside Amanda. “This is enough to save your father's company. I can transfer the money today and settle the debts.”

Amanda stared at the card without touching it. Tears slowly filled her eyes as she remembered the truth Louis did not know.

“I don't need it anymore,” she whispered.

Louis frowned. “What do you mean?”

Amanda quickly looked away. “Nothing.”

His face darkened as he stepped closer. “Amanda, don't be sarcastic with me. Your father's company is drowning in debt, and I'm the only person who can save it. You know that.”

Amanda swallowed hard. “I know.”

“Then why are you acting like this?” Louis asked coldly.

Amanda looked at the bank card again. “Because it doesn't matter anymore.”

Louis's expression became harder. “Fine. Since you're being so generous, I'll delay the transfer for another three days.”

Amanda looked up in shock. “Why?”

“When you learn how to speak to me properly, I'll transfer the money,” Louis replied. “Until then, you can think about your behavior.”

Amanda stared at him in disbelief. “Are you using my father's company to punish me?”

Louis gave a cold laugh. “I'm reminding you who has the power to save your family. Ever since the Robinson family's finances collapsed, everyone has known that you need me.”

Amanda's heart ached. She had never expected her own mate to use her family's suffering against her, but she still could not bring herself to argue with him.

Before she could respond, Louis's phone suddenly rang.

He looked at the screen, and Amanda saw Francine's name.

Louis answered immediately. “Francine? What's wrong?”

His expression changed as he listened to her voice. The coldness disappeared from his face, replaced by concern.

“An allergic reaction?” Louis asked. “Are you having trouble breathing?”

Amanda watched as Louis grabbed his coat.

“Stay there. I'm coming.”

“Louis,” Amanda called, her voice filled with hurt. “We haven't finished talking.”

He barely looked at her. “Francine needs me.”

“She has the pack doctor,” Amanda said. “Why do you have to go yourself?”

Louis frowned. “Don't start this again, Amanda. She's not feeling well.”

“But I'm your Luna,” Amanda said softly.

“And you should act like one,” Louis replied coldly. “Stop making everything difficult.”

Amanda's eyes filled with tears. “You're leaving me because your secretary called?”

Louis's expression hardened. “Learn your place, Amanda. I won't argue with you about Francine.”

He turned toward the door, then stopped for a moment.

“Stay here and think about your behavior,” he warned. “When I return, we'll discuss the money.”

Then he left.

The door closed behind him, leaving Amanda alone in the large bedroom.

Darcy spoke again through their mind link. He is changing.

Amanda closed her eyes. I know.

Then why do you keep trusting him?

Amanda wiped the tears from her cheeks. Because he's my mate.

But even as she said it, Amanda no longer felt certain.

She slowly stood and walked into the walk-in closet. She pulled out a suitcase and placed it on the bed before beginning to fold her clothes.

Her hands trembled as she packed, but she forced herself to continue.

Louis had no idea that Amanda already knew the truth about her father.

Alpha Richard Robinson was dead.

The previous night, before her wedding, Amanda had received the devastating news. Her father had been crushed beneath the debts and pressure surrounding the family's company, with dangerous creditors constantly demanding repayment.

Desperate and unable to see another way out, Alpha Richard had gone to the company's building alone.

He had climbed to the eighteenth-floor rooftop.

And then he had fallen.

Amanda stopped packing as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Dad...” she whispered, pressing a hand over her mouth.

Her father's death had left a wound that no amount of money could heal. She had lost the man who had protected her all her life, and now she was standing inside a mansion where her own mate was using his money to control her.

Amanda slowly lowered herself onto the edge of the bed.

Louis thought he could save her father's company.

He did not know that her father was already gone.

She looked at the bank card he had left behind and shook her head as tears continued to fall.

“I don't need your money anymore,” she whispered. “Dad is already gone.”

Amanda stared at the suitcase in front of her, knowing that everything had changed.

The dead had no use for money.