CHAPTER 3

Amelia's POV

The grand ballroom was filled with bright crystal chandeliers that poured soft light down on the fancy crowd.

Classical music played softly in the background, but the smooth violin notes did not calm the nervous fluttering in my chest.

Hundreds of rich pack members, high-ranking warriors, and noble ladies were walking around in elegant clothes, laughing and sipping expensive champagne.

I stood near the entrance, smoothing down the edges of my plain dress.

My hands were freezing, and my heart was hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. I was only here tonight because my parents had practically begged me to go.

They needed me to pretend that everything was fine so Drystan’s pack wouldn't cut off the money keeping my family’s business alive.

I raised my eyes, scanning the crowded room, and that was when my heart dropped into my stomach.

Standing right near the central chocolate fountain was my husband, Alpha Drystan. But he wasn't standing alone. His hand was resting comfortably on the small of a woman's back, pulling her close to his side.

It was Tina, his assistant. She was wearing a tight, bright red dress that showed off every single curve, including her small, growing baby bump.

She was laughing, resting her head on Drystan’s shoulder as if she were the rightful Luna of the pack. Drystan wasn't pulling away. In fact, he was smiling down at her with a soft, affectionate look that he hadn't given me in years.

A sharp, stabbing pain rushed through my chest. I took a deep breath, forcing my feet to move forward across the polished floor.

My high heels clicked loudly against the floorboards, but nobody noticed until I stopped right in front of them.

Tina turned her head first. Her bright eyes scanned me from head to toe, and a nasty, fake smile spread across her red lips.

She didn't look scared or guilty at all. Instead, she leaned even closer to Drystan, wrapping her arm tightly around his elbow.

"Oh, look who decided to show up," Tina said, her voice loud enough for the nearby guests to hear.

She let out a soft, teasing laugh that made my blood run cold. "Is this really your wife, Drystan? That barren Luna who can’t give you children and lied to everyone that you were the one with infertility? Look at what she is wearing! She dresses so conservatively. She looks just like my grandmother."

My face burned with hot shame. I gripped my clutch bag so hard that my knuckles turned completely white.

I looked at Drystan, waiting for him to snap at her, waiting for him to defend my dignity in front of all these people.

But he just stood there, sipping his drink without saying a single word to stop her.

Drystan’s Beta, James, was standing right beside them with a smirk on his face. He chuckled, shaking his head as he looked at me with deep pity and disrespect.

"Come on, Tina, go easy on her," James chimed in, his voice full of cruel sarcasm.

"We all know Amelia only showed up tonight just for the sake of her family's empty bank account. She has to put on a good show if she wants to keep her parents from losing everything."

Tears poked at the backs of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall in front of these horrible people. I swallowed the painful lump in my throat and looked directly into my husband's eyes.

"Drystan," I said, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to sound strong. "Are you really going to let them talk to your wife like this?"

Drystan set his glass down on a passing waiter’s tray and let out an annoyed sigh. He rolled his eyes, looking at me as if I were a bratty child throwing a ridiculous temper tantrum.

"They’re just joking, Amelia," Drystan said, waving his hand dismissively in the air. "Don’t take everything so seriously. You are always so sensitive about every little thing. Just relax and enjoy the party."

Hearing him throw my pain away like garbage was the absolute final straw. The love I had felt for him for three years completely dissolved, replaced by a cold, sharp anger that cleared my head completely. I stepped closer to him, lowering my voice so only he could hear me.

"I want a divorce, Drystan," I said clearly.

Drystan stopped smiling. He stared at me for a second, and then he suddenly threw his head back and laughed out loud, as if I had just told the funniest joke in the world.

"Don’t joke around, Amelia," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Divorce? Do you really think your family will agree to that?

They need my money to survive. Stop making a scene and embarrassing me. As long as you behave yourself, you’ll always be my wife and keep your sweet little title."

"I’m serious," I whispered, holding his gaze without backing down a single inch. "I’m divorcing you. I am done being your punching bag."

Drystan’s smile faded, replaced by a dark, arrogant frown. He bent down slightly, whispering directly into my ear.

"If you really wanted a divorce, Amelia, you wouldn’t have come here tonight. You came because you need me. You'll always need me."

Before I could answer him, a heavy, sudden silence fell over the entire ballroom. The background music instantly stopped playing.

The chatter from the guests faded away into total quiet.

A wave of raw, overwhelming power filled the air, making it hard for everyone in the room to breathe.

The pack members quickly backed away from the entrance, lowering their heads in complete respect and fear.

An unfamiliar, powerful man walked slowly into the banquet hall. He wore a sharp, tailored black suit that fit his tall, broad frame perfectly.

His dark hair was styled neat, and his deep eyes held an ancient, dangerous dominance that made every Alpha in the room shiver.

Drystan’s eyes widened in absolute shock.

He immediately dropped Tina’s hand, smoothed down his jacket, and rushed forward toward the doorway, suddenly becoming extremely respectful and humble.

I had never seen my arrogant husband bow his head so low to anyone before.

"Alpha Zephyr..." Drystan said, his voice shaking with deep respect as he bowed to the powerful man. "What an absolute honor it is to have you at our banquet!"

I turned around slowly to see who had caused such a massive reaction in the room. My breath hitched in my throat, and my heart stopped dead in my chest.

My hands began to shake violently, and all the color drained straight out of my face. Standing right there in front of the entire pack was the same dark, handsome man with silver at his temples.

He was the exact same stranger I had spent last night with at the club.