Chapter 3

The mansion was dark when I returned to the Moon Howlers Pack House.

Only a few wall lamps remained lit along the entrance hall, their golden light stretching across the polished marble floor. Usually, at this hour, I would have been waiting in the living room with a cup of tea for Jude to come home. Even if we exchanged only a few words before retreating to separate sides of the bed, I still waited.

Tonight, I simply wanted to sleep.

I had barely stepped inside when a deep voice shattered the silence.

"Where were you?"

My fingers froze around my handbag.

Jude stood near the fireplace, still wearing the black suit from this morning. His expression was colder than I had seen it in weeks, his silver eyes fixed on me like a predator watching its prey. The scent of cedar and wolf surrounded him, stronger than usual. His wolf was agitated.

Mine… There was no wolf to answer.

"I asked you a question, Beatrice." His voice dropped another degree. "You ignored every one of my calls."

I quietly removed my shoes before looking at him. "I was with my parents."

"You left without saying anything."

A tired smile tugged at my lips. "I believe you're confusing me with someone else."

His brows drew together.

"I always tell you where I'm going." The words escaped before I could stop them. "You've never done the same for me."

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

The clock in the hallway ticked steadily, each second sounding louder than the last.

Jude finally exhaled. "You've been acting strangely these past few days."

"Have I?"

"You're making unnecessary problems."

I looked at him for a long moment before asking softly, "Jude... do you remember what today is?"

He frowned slightly. "Your mother's birthday."

"And?"

His silence answered me.

I nodded once. "Today also marks three years and fifteen days since our wedding."

Something flickered across his face. "Three days before that was our anniversary."

I laughed quietly, though there was no amusement in it. "The anniversary dinner I prepared while you were with Helen."

His lips pressed into a thin line.

"Seven days ago was your birthday. You spent it with Helen. Fifteen days ago..." I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. "...was the first time you chose her over me."

The memories came one after another, like wounds reopening all at once.

"A month ago I caught moon fever after inspecting the southern borders. The healer wanted me admitted overnight. I called you three times."

"You never answered."

"You were having coffee with Helen."

Jude's expression finally changed.

Not guilt. Surprise.

As though he genuinely hadn't remembered. "I didn't know—"

"No." I shook my head. "You didn't. And that's the problem."

Silence filled the room again.

I could hear the wind rustling through the ancient trees outside, carrying distant howls beneath the moonlight.

After a long while, Jude spoke. "Why are you bringing all this up now?"

I looked into the eyes of the man I had loved for three years.

The man I had chosen every single day. The man who had never once chosen me.

"Because..." My voice remained surprisingly calm. "...I don't want to lie to myself anymore."

His brows furrowed. "Lie about what?"

I smiled sadly. "That one day… you would fall in love with me."

The words settled between us. Neither loud nor dramatic.

Simply true.

The ticking clock suddenly became unbearably clear.

Every tick sounded like another day I had wasted waiting for a miracle that never existed.

Jude stared at me without speaking.

Perhaps he expected tears. Perhaps he expected accusations.

Instead, I only felt exhausted.

"I spent three years trying to become the Luna you deserved."

"I learned your habits."

"I ignored the whispers that I wasn't worthy because I don't have a wolf."

"I defended you whenever others questioned our marriage."

"I kept believing that if I loved you enough… you would eventually see me."

A bitter smile crossed my lips. "I was wrong. Helen never had to earn your affection."

"I spent three years begging for what she received simply by existing."

His jaw tightened. "Beatrice. I've never betrayed you."

"No. You never did." I nodded. "You simply never loved me."

For the first time since we had married… Jude had no answer.

He stood silently while I walked past him toward the staircase.

Halfway up, I stopped without turning around.

"I hope she's worth everything you've lost."

Then I continued upstairs.

This time… He didn't stop me.

*****

I cried for less than ten minutes.

Not because the pain was small.

Because there were no tears left after carrying this marriage alone for three years.

When the last tear dried, I washed my face, looked into the mirror, and barely recognized the woman staring back.

She looked tired.

But she also looked… Free.

I picked up my phone.

There was only one person I trusted enough to call.

Damian Cross.

My closest friend from the Royal Lycan Academy.

Now one of the capital's most respected legal advisers, specializing in mate contracts, Alpha succession agreements, and divorce settlements between noble packs.

I typed only four words. [I need your help.]

His reply came almost instantly. [What's happened?]

My fingers hovered above the screen.

For a moment, my heart hesitated.

Then I finally wrote the words I should have written years ago. [I want a divorce.]

The typing indicator appeared.

Stopped.

Appeared again.

Almost a full minute passed before his reply arrived.

[Are you free tomorrow morning?]

*****

The next morning, Damian sat across from me in a quiet café overlooking Crescent Lake. After listening to everything without interrupting, he leaned back in his chair and studied me carefully.

"So… Have you finally decided?"

I nodded. "I want a clean separation. No property. No money. No compensation from the Moon Howlers Pack."

"I only want my freedom."

Damian remained silent for several seconds before letting out a slow breath.

Then… He smiled.

Not because he was happy my marriage had ended.

But because he had waited years to hear those words.

"You finally woke up."

For the first time in a very long time… I smiled back.

"Yes. I finally did."