Chapter 11

“Why not?” he replied casually.

His gray eyes were fixed on me.

“You’re talented, Samantha. I’ve seen your previous work, and it’s incredible. I thought you might be interested in these scripts.”

My fingers brushed the cover of one of them, my thoughts racing.

It had been so long…

So long since anyone believed in my talent.

Let alone encouraged me to step back into the spotlight.

But was Zephyr really doing this just to help me?

That didn’t make sense.

It made more sense if he wanted me to become an actress again so I could pay him back.

For everything.

The living expenses.

The clothes.

All the things he had given me.

Even if he hadn’t said it…

I knew better than anyone.

Nothing in this world was truly free.

Still…

I wasn’t even sure I could become the actress I once was.

“I… don’t know what to say,” I admitted softly, looking at him.

Zephyr nodded. “No pressure. Just think about it.”

“Mr. Lloyd is right, Mrs. Cole.”

A middle-aged woman with glasses spoke up.

“It would be such a waste not to use your extraordinary talent again.”

I narrowed my eyes and glanced at her name tag.

Gina.

Director.

The men beside her had already been introduced.

Trevor—the Head Producer.

Ryan—the Vice President Director.

I couldn’t believe this.

Why were all these important people gathered here…

Just for me?

“Despite your hiatus, you still have a solid fan base,” Ryan said. “We’ve analyzed everything. There’s a huge demand for your comeback. Fans have been waiting for you, and this project is the perfect opportunity.”

I tapped my fingers lightly on the table, feeling overwhelmed.

“Honestly, I’m flattered,” I said. “But I haven’t been on screen in years. I’m not sure I can meet those expectations.”

And even if I did…

People would say I got the role because of Zephyr.

Not because I deserved it.

Gina chuckled softly. “Don’t worry about that. We didn’t come unprepared.”

She placed several sheets on the table.

“We’ve arranged professional acting coaches to help you refine your skills.”

So this was their plan.

They weren’t taking no for an answer.

Even if Zephyr said there was no pressure…

It didn’t feel that way.

They had everything ready.

There was no escape.

“This isn’t just about business, Samantha.”

Zephyr’s voice cut through the room.

“This is about giving you what you deserve.”

My chest tightened.

“Your ex-husband took everything from you. Now it’s my turn to give it back.”

Rowan…

He had taken everything.

My confidence.

My career.

My self-worth.

This wasn’t just an offer.

It was a chance.

A chance to rebuild everything I had lost.

Maybe…

The thing holding me back wasn’t my ability.

It was that voice in my head.

The one telling me I wasn’t enough.

“I really want you to take this opportunity,” Zephyr continued. “But if you’re uncomfortable, I’ll respect your decision.”

I looked at the documents again.

The scripts.

The contracts.

Everything they had prepared.

Other actors…

Would never get opportunities like this.

And that was exactly the problem.

It felt like I was being handed something I couldn’t even swallow.

If I wanted to return…

I had to earn it.

“I want to audition,” I said firmly.

“Like everyone else.”

“It’s been a long time, and I need something to push me. I want real critiques. No sugarcoating.”

Zephyr smiled.

“Glad to have you back, Mrs. Cole.”

• • •

After the meeting, Zephyr gave me space to think.

I had already narrowed it down to three scripts.

But I still couldn’t choose.

Even after we left the office…

Even after we got into the car…

I kept reading them again and again.

“The audition is still two months away,” Zephyr said. “You have time.”

“That’s the problem,” I muttered, flipping another page. “I don’t think two months is enough.”

“I can postpone it.”

I immediately looked up.

“No.”

“What’s the point of auditioning if it’s not fair from the start?”

Yes, I needed money.

But not like that.

Not through shortcuts.

Not through favoritism.

Then I noticed something.

The road.

This wasn’t the way back to Silverclaw Manor.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

Zephyr smiled faintly, his eyes still on the road.

“To register you as my Luna.”

My eyes widened.

Everything was happening too fast.

Too much in one day.

The car eventually stopped in front of a large, dark building on the outskirts of the city.

Unlike human institutions…

The Nocturnal Order only operated at night.

I took a deep breath before stepping inside.

My heels echoed against the marble floor as we approached the front desk.

A beautiful vampire greeted us with a polite smile.

“How can I help you tonight?”

“I’d like to register Samantha Cole as Luna of the Silverclaw Pack,” Zephyr said firmly.

He didn’t need to introduce himself.

She already knew who he was.

She typed my name into her system.

Then frowned.

A red warning flashed on her screen.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t proceed with the registration if one of you is still legally married.”

My brows furrowed.

“I filed for divorce,” I said. “Rowan Fell was supposed to sign the papers yesterday.”

The receptionist shook her head.

“Last night, Mr. Rowan Fell refused the divorce.”

She paused.

“He claims it was all a misunderstanding.”