The Last Night

Aria’s POV

"Sometimes I feel like I'm invisible," the young Omega wolf across from me whispered, her shoulders hunched. "Like I'm taking up space that could be better used by someone stronger."

I leaned forward in my therapist's chair, letting my voice soften with understanding.

"Lisa, look at me." I waited until her tearful brown eyes met mine. "Being an Omega doesn't make you invisible. It makes you see things others miss. Feel things others ignore. That's not weakness – it's a different kind of strength."

"But how can you say that?" she burst out. "You're different! You work with both packs, you have a life! I heard..." she hesitated, then plunged ahead. "I heard you're involved with someone powerful. An Alpha."

My professional smile didn't waver, even as my heart clenched. If only she knew the truth – that I was just as lost as she was, playing a part that would end all too soon.

"My personal life isn't relevant," I said gently. "What matters is helping you see your own worth. Tell me about last week's incident with your sister again."

By the time Lisa left, looking marginally more hopeful, the sun was setting over Silver Moon Pack territory. I stayed at my desk, absently touching the silver pendant at my throat while reviewing my notes. The pendant was the only real gift Derek had ever given me outside our contract – a moment of weakness on his part, perhaps, or just another calculated move to keep me compliant.

"Aria?" Sarah's voice made me jump. My best friend since our orphanage days stood in the doorway, her warm brown eyes concerned. "You missed lunch. Again."

"Sorry, back-to-back sessions." The lie came easily after years of practice. In truth, I'd spent my lunch hour at the doctor's office, receiving a death sentence with a sympathetic smile.

*"Six months, maybe less,"* Dr. Carter had said, her face grave. *"The strain of supporting even an Omega wolf form is too much for your heart. I'm so sorry, Aria."*

"Well, you can make it up to me by helping with wedding preparations this weekend," Sarah said, perching on the edge of my desk. "Jason's family is insisting on all these traditional pack ceremonies, and I'm losing my mind trying to keep track."

My chest ached at her words. I wouldn't live to see her wedding. "Of course," I managed. "Whatever you need."

Sarah tilted her head, studying me. "Are you okay? You seem... off today."

"Just tired." I started gathering my things, avoiding her knowing gaze. "And I heard some interesting gossip today."

"About Natalie Windsor?" Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, she's back. Graduated early and coming to 'take her rightful place' in the pack, according to Whitney Stone. That girl never could keep her mouth shut."

I forced myself to shrug casually. "It doesn't matter to me."

"Aria-"

"I should go," I cut her off, unable to bear her concern. "I have... plans."

Understanding and disapproval warred in her expression. "With him?"

Before I could answer, a knock at the door saved me. One of the junior staff members looked in nervously. "Miss Moonlight? There's someone waiting for you in the parking lot."

Sarah's face darkened. "His lap dog is here already? Aria, you can't keep-"

"I'll call you tomorrow," I promised, hurrying past her. We'd had this argument too many times before.

The familiar black SUV waited in the parking lot, Samuel's tall figure a shadow against the dying light. Usually, his presence brought a flutter of anticipation – a prelude to seeing Derek. Tonight, something felt different.

"Evening, Samuel."

He straightened, his usually warm manner replaced by careful formality. "Miss Moonlight. Alpha Derek requested your presence."

"Is everything alright?"

"It's not my place to say." He opened the car door, avoiding my eyes.

The drive was silent save for the whispered rumors echoing in my head. *Natalie Windsor is back. Derek's first love. They were meant to be mated...*

I'd seen her picture in Derek's room once, hidden away in a drawer. The resemblance between us was startling – enough to make me wonder if that was why he'd filmed our first night together three years ago. Had he been pretending I was her?

"Miss Moonlight." Samuel's voice pulled me from my thoughts. We'd arrived at Derek's private residence. "Take your time getting ready. Alpha Derek will join you when he returns from his border patrol."

I nodded and headed inside, exchanging practiced pleasantries with the staff who pretended not to know exactly why I was there. In Derek's room, I showered and changed into the silk robe he preferred, trying to ignore the growing knot of dread in my stomach.

A new photo on his desk caught my eye – partially hidden behind some papers, but I could still see that the bottom half is a white dress. My hands shook as I forced myself to look away.

The door opened and Derek filled the frame, still in his dark suit from border patrol. My heart lurched painfully at the sight of him – his silver-blonde hair windswept, his ice-blue eyes intense as they found mine.

"Aria." His voice was deeper than usual as he crossed the room in long strides.

The kiss was different – hungry and desperate in a way that should have thrilled me but only fed my unease. His hands were everywhere, his mouth demanding, and I let myself drown in him even as my mind screamed that something was wrong.

When we finally collapsed against the sheets, I waited for him to leave as he always did. Instead, he propped himself up on one elbow, watching me with an unreadable expression.

"Would you like dinner?"

I stared at him. In three years, we'd never shared a meal in his room. "Dinner?"

He was already reaching for his phone. "I'll have the kitchen send something up."

My stomach twisted, but I forced a smile. "That would be nice."

[Previous content remains the same until the dinner scene, then continues:]

The food arrived on elegant silver trays – his usual excessive display of wealth. Roasted duck with cherry sauce, asparagus with hollandaise, and a bottle of wine I knew cost more than I made in a month. Under normal circumstances, I would have been touched by the gesture. Tonight, it felt like a farewell feast.

"The border patrol went well?" I asked, desperate to break the heavy silence.

"Yes." He took a sip of wine, his movements precise and controlled. "Some minor territorial disputes with the Stone Pack, nothing significant."

"I heard William Stone is doing a good job managing their decline."

"Indeed."

Another silence fell. I pushed the food around my plate, remembering other evenings when conversation had flowed easily between us. When his eyes had sparkled with hidden laughter at my attempts to use the right fork, or the way I'd wrinkle my nose at particularly fancy dishes.

"The duck is excellent," I said softly.

"I'm terminating our contract," he replied, setting down his fork. "Effective immediately."

The words hung in the air between us like shattered glass. I set my own fork down carefully, afraid my shaking hands would betray me.

"We have eleven months left," I managed to say.

"The termination clause allows either party to end the arrangement early with proper compensation. You'll find the remaining amount, plus a generous bonus, in your account by morning." His voice was perfectly businesslike, as if we were discussing a mundane transaction.

"I see." I folded my napkin precisely, focusing on the simple action to keep from falling apart. "May I ask why?"

He hesitated, something flickering in those ice-blue eyes. "Circumstances have changed."

"Natalie's return, you mean." The words slipped out before I could stop them.

His expression hardened. "My personal life is not your concern."

"Of course not. How silly of me to think that sharing your bed for three years might entitle me to even a simple explanation." Bitterness crept into my voice despite my best efforts.

"Aria-"

"No, you're right." I cut him off, sitting up straighter. "The contract was clear. No emotional attachments, no explanations needed. I just thought... after all this time..."

"You thought what?" His voice was dangerously soft. "That I would mate an Omega? That this was anything more than an arrangement of convenience?"

Each word was a dagger, but I refused to let him see me bleed. "Actually, I was just hoping for basic courtesy. My mistake."

He stood abruptly, pacing to the window. "You'll be well compensated."

"Yes, because that's all that matters, isn't it? The mighty Alpha heir can buy his way out of anything." I pushed back from the table, my appetite completely gone. "Don't worry, I won't make a scene. Your reputation is safe."

"Our agreement-"

"Is over. I understand." I walked to the bathroom, my legs somehow supporting me. "I'll get dressed and be out of your way."

"Aria, wait." Something in his voice made me pause, my hand on the doorknob. When I looked back, he was still staring out the window, his shoulders tense. "I never meant to-"

"Don't." My voice cracked. "Please don't pretend you care now. It'll just make it worse."

I closed the bathroom door before he could respond, turning on the shower to mask any sounds of my breakdown. The hot water mixed with my tears as I tried to gather the pieces of my shattered dignity.

"Goodbye, Derek," I said quietly.