Chapter 2

“The little wolf pup just turned one! Are you really going to let him grow up without a mother?”

Harper was clearly on Julian’s side, her voice brimming with reproach, as if she were putting me on public trial.

I gave her a half-smile, my gaze sweeping over her lazily.

“I’m asking for a divorce, not dropping dead. How could he not have a mother? Or… are you getting so worked up because you want to replace me as my pup’s mother? Or maybe replace the plush toy?”

I hadn’t even finished before she cut me off, eager and loud, her tone as arrogant as if she were declaring her claim.

“Any she-wolf with a shred of conscience would see you as ungrateful. You came from nothing, and Julian didn’t mind—he lifted you to the position of Luna, brought you into the Pack’s trade council. If it weren’t for the Everhart family, do you think you’d be where you are today? Sitting as CEO of the Pack’s largest enterprise?”

My eyes went cold. I raised my hand—

The sharp crack of my slap rang through the banquet hall.

“You’re just a Beta assistant. You have no right to lecture me.”

The room fell silent. The sound of that slap echoed under the crystal chandeliers, piercingly loud.

“Chloe! Are you out of your mind?!”

Julian stormed forward, shoving me aside to shield Harper, his eyes filled with tender concern for her.

I steadied myself, showing no guilt—instead, something clicked in my mind.

“Careful, Julian. If you protect Harper this much, your Plush Wolf Doll might get jealous.”

The air tightened. The pack wolves’ gazes sliced into me like blades—

In their eyes, my usual gentleness was nothing but a façade, hiding a narrow-minded, volatile, petty she-wolf underneath.

Harper’s eyes reddened as she threw herself into Julian’s arms.

“I’m sorry, Julian… I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn and made her angry. Don’t blame her.”

“It’s not your fault.” Julian patted her shoulder gently. “It’s my fault for not protecting you.”

He turned back to me, his tone pleading.

“Chloe, this is between us. Don’t drag others into it. Today’s the pup’s first birthday—please… I’m begging you, don’t make a scene.”

His restraint and concession—against my coldness and defiance—painted a striking contrast for everyone present.

Finally, Julian’s father, Percy, spoke.

“Chloe, you’ve done much for this family and the pack over the years. There’s no need for it to come to this. If you can bring solid proof that you’ve been wronged, I promise I’ll see justice done for you.”

It was an olive branch. But I had no intention of taking it.

“This marriage is over.” My tone was resolute, like a hammer striking the banquet hall floor.

A flicker of panic crossed Julian’s eyes. His voice shook.

“Chloe… do you have another mate?”

“Think whatever you want. Maybe I do—and maybe he’s also a Plush Wolf Doll.” My laugh was ice-cold.

“Enough!” Percy’s voice snapped like a whip. “Chloe, don’t think the Everhart family is easy to push around! I’ll give you three days—either return to fulfill your duties as Luna, or see us in court. And when that happens, you won’t leave with a single scrap! Don’t forget—your status and your position are mine to give!”

His words were claws sinking deep into bone.

Everyone expected me to yield.

Instead, I turned and walked away, my steps as steady as if I were heading toward a hunt I’d planned long ago.

Outside, my friend—and lawyer—Victor was already waiting.

“I’ve sent someone to dig into it.” His lips curved in a faint smile. “The truth you want will be in our hands soon.”

“Good. Three days from now, in court—you’ll be my lawyer.”

The car door shut behind me. I slumped into the back seat, pulled out my phone, and opened a hidden cloud folder on the Dark Net.

The footage played—

Julian’s beloved giant Plush Wolf Doll got up from its lying position, walked across the room, opened the fridge, and took a drink.

But I remembered perfectly—this toy could only make sounds. It couldn’t move, let alone eat.

Three days. That was all I needed to prepare.

Then, before the eyes of the entire pack, the truth would have nowhere to hide.