Chapter 6

Ceres's POV

I shook my numb hand, feeling an indescribable level of satisfaction.

Rage flashed through Richard’s eyes as he glared at me in disbelief. His eyes burned a flaming red as he shielded Anita behind him.

“Have you lost your mind, Ceres?” Richard growled, his voice filled with fury and carrying a slightly inhuman edge.

I stood my ground. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, clawing to emerge.

Since yesterday, something had awakened inside me—a force I could no longer suppress. It prevented me from taking any form of bullshit from anyone.

For three years, I had lived like a fool, doing only things that would please my mate, hoping he’d love me even half as much as I loved him. But now, the scales had fallen from my eyes. I could finally see the truth—he was never going to love me.

With a scornful expression, I faced Richard’s angry gaze and threw the resignation letter and divorce papers at him.

“Shame on you, Richard! You manipulated the pack, twisted public opinion, and even used your influence over the council to slander me. Did you really think I’d forget? That I’d let it slide? You disgust me!”

I smirked coldly and stepped forward, covering the distance between us with a confidence that made Richard slightly uneasy.

Grabbing his collar, I yanked him closer with force. My green eyes locked onto his blue ones, burning with a mix of rage and defiance.

“Alpha Richard,” I said mockingly, my voice dripping with venom, “if you want to avoid a full-blown scandal, sign the agreement and grant me a peaceful divorce. Otherwise, I’ll bring every dark secret of the Winston family to light—especially yours.”

I released him abruptly, the sharp tug of his collar causing a ripple in his perfectly pressed shirt.

Disgusted at the sight of him, I turned on my heel and strode out of the office, my wolf howling in triumph within my mind.

As soon as I left, my colleagues surrounded me. Their expressions were filled with concern and sympathy.

“Luna Ceres,” one of them began hesitantly, “you’ve sacrificed so much for Alpha Richard. Are you really going to let the other woman take your place?”

“That’s right,” another chimed in. “Martins mentioned they’re assigning Anita to the Chief Secretary’s office. Are they trying to push you out?”

A tall, lanky girl huffed in frustration. “Alpha Richard must be blind. In terms of intelligence and beauty, that lady is nothing compared to you, Luna!”

The title “Luna” felt hollow now—a reminder of the role I had tried to fill for a pack that no longer felt like mine.

I shook my head at them and advised in a firm tone, “Don’t worry about me, guys. It would be insanity not to give up on this so-called marriage after everything that has come to light, don’t you think?”

I flashed them a nonchalant smile.

“Oh, and one more thing,” I added. “If Richard wants to take out his anger on you by sending you away, know that you can always come to me. I will make jobs available to you all. I promise.”

They stared at me in surprise, as though wondering why I spoke so boldly. After all, they knew me—or so they thought.

Truth is, they knew nothing about me but soon, they would all find out just who I am.

After working with them for years, I had come to develop a strong bond with each one of them. If Richard decided to let them go, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to my father’s company.

I quickly said my goodbyes and left the Corporation with my belongings without looking back.

I was absolutely done with Richard and everything that concerned him. It was time to start living for myself.

Richard's POV

I remained rooted in place, staring at Ceres’s retreating figure with furrowed brows, as she left my office. A complicated mix of emotions swirled within me—anger, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite name.

My heart pounded fast against my ribcage, and my wolf—usually calm and controlled—paced restlessly in my mind, unsettled by Ceres's fiery defiance.

Our union had been one of convenience, a bond that brought stability to the pack and served my ambitions. She had been obedient, reliable, and resourceful—everything a leader could want in a mate.

But now, watching her transform before my eyes, I realized I had grossly underestimated her.

The obedient mate I thought I knew had shed her sheep's clothing, revealing her untamed wolf. She was now fearless, bold, and rational—qualities I found both infuriating and strangely alluring.

Her icy cold gaze replayed in my mind, making me feel quite uneasy. Why would she assume I bribed the media to slander her? Where did that come from?

Anita, standing close to me, cautiously reached out, touching my arm. Tears glistened in her eyes as she spoke softly, “Richard, should I find an opportunity to explain everything to Ceres?”

I heaved a sigh and gradually removed her hand from my arm, my lips pressed together at the sight of her swollen face.

“No need. Don’t blame her,” I said.

Her face turned pale at my words, but she weakly smiled, nodding in understanding. “Of course, I won’t.”

Later, after I had dismissed Anita, I went to my swivel chair and sat down. Still disturbed by what Ceres had said, I pulled out my iPad and searched the trending news.

There it was—a list of unsettling rumors about her. I clenched my fists in anger and tossed my iPad onto the desk. The things circulating in the media about Ceres were untrue. She was never promiscuous before I met her. I would know because I’m the one who deflowered her.

I immediately dialed Martins’ line. “Come to my office now!” I commanded.

A few seconds later, Martins was standing before me.

“Have you seen this?” I asked, gesturing to my iPad.

He glanced at it, his hands behind his back. His gaze shifted back to me, and he stuttered, “I saw it not quite long ago, Alpha.”

I leaned back in my chair, trying to control my temper. “Have you found out who is behind it?”

He nodded in response. “Upon investigating the matter, I found out it was the PR manager who was behind it.”

I ran a hand through my hair and took deep breaths. “Bring him to me now!”

Martins scurried out of my office and came back moments later with the PR manager, who tried to explain the situation.

“Alpha, you specifically ordered us not to involve your son, Lucky, in any rumors. To protect him, we had to divert attention to Luna Ceres’s past.”

Upon hearing his words, rage coursed through me. My wolf surfaced, and within seconds, I had the PR Manager pinned to the wall, my hand around his neck.

“How dare you publish such lies about your Luna?” I growled.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He looked absolutely petrified, his voice trembling as he spoke. “Alpha Richard, someone sent the news anonymously to us. Your child's mother, Ms. Anita, also urged us to protect Lucky at all costs.”

“And you published it without running it through me or my beta first?” I snarled.

“I... I thought you’d be okay with it, seeing that she publicly humiliated you yesterday,” he stammered, his fear evident.

My fury deepened. Glaring at the man, I fought the urge—spurred by my angry wolf—to strangle him to death. After much struggle, I finally released my grip around his neck and spat coldly, “You are fired! Take your things and leave the premises immediately!”

He immediately fell to his knees, begging profusely. “Alpha Richard, please don’t fire me! It was an honest mistake. Please, I didn’t know they were all lies. You have to believe me!”

Hardening my heart to his pleas, I had my security men throw him out of my office.

Turning to Martins, i commanded, “Make sure every rumor about Ceres is pulled down from the internet before the end of today!”.