Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Arthur’s POV

My office door slams open, bouncing off the bookcase behind it. No knock. No warning. No

chance to hide the creased photograph I’ve been staring at until my vision blurs, before Regina strides in like she owns the place.

Her heels click against the hardwood floor, sharp and deliberate. Her skirt is so tight it looks painted on, and her top plunges low enough to make my wolf snarl in disgust. Does she even realise how desperate she looks? Or maybe she does, and doesn’t care.

I hastily shove the photo under a folder, my heart pounding. Melody’s smile stares up at me

from the edge of the paper, a cruel reminder of everything I lost. Everything I threw away without thought.

“You look tense,” Regina purrs, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Let me help take

your mind off the Cup and all those heavy Alpha duties.”

She leans across my desk, her top gaping open and her lips curling into what she probably thinks is an irresistible smile. My stomach churns. My wolf recoils. How many men has she made this offer to? I’ve heard the rumours, at least a dozen, and that’s being generous.

My blood heats as memories of her venomous words resurface. ‘useless orphan slut.’ That’s what she spat the night everything fell apart. And now here she is, flaunting herself like a prize. The hypocrisy makes my jaw ache from clenching.

She has no idea I heard her, or that she’s on borrowed time. I can’t cast anyone out until I

take the Alpha title, but that day is coming, and when it does, she’ll be gone so quick her head will spin. Her father may be our lead warrior but I’ll find a way to get rid of her, I’ll get rid of them both if I must.

“I’m not Alpha yet,” I bite out, my voice cold and my anger building. “Don’t call me that.”

“Fine, Arty,” she says lightly, as if my anger amuses her. “No need to be so serious. You will be Alpha soon. The strongest, most respected leader in all the packs. Let me show you how good it feels to relax for once.”

She circles the desk, her eyes gleaming withambition. Not desire, ambition. She doesn’t want me. She wants the title. She wants to be Luna, and she’ll burn anyone who stands in her way.

Melody included.

“I’ve signed up for the Cup,” she adds, chin lifting proudly. “So I can go with you. Keep you

company.”

Her words barely register before she reaches for me, assuming my silence means consent. My wolf snaps, fury surging through me. I shove back my chair so hard it crashes into the drinks cabinet. Regina stumbles, her mask slipping for a heartbeat before she smooths it back into place.

Her gaze flicks to the photograph on my desk and her eyes narrow. She knows what it is, and who it’s of. My pulse spikes. That picture was meant to stay private until I could make things right. It’s all I have left of her and it’s the only thing that gives me or my wolf any comfort.

“Get out,” I snarl, snatching the photo and locking it in the drawer. “Find someone else to entertain you. Goddess knows the barracks are full of men who love easy prey.”

Her lips curl, but she doesn’t leave.

“I’ll prove myself,” she vows, voice sharp now. “I’ll train harder. I’ll show you I’m the best Luna you could hope for. Your father will approve. The pack will approve. You’ll see.”

She reaches for my arm just as Dane strolls in, whistling.

“Uh oh,” he grins. “Am I interrupting?”

“No,” I snap. “Regina, don’t test my patience. Get out. And never walk into my office uninvited again.”

Her huff is pure theatre. She flicks her bleach-blonde hair over her shoulder and flounces out like a child hearing ‘no’ for the first time.

Dane watches her go, eyebrows raised. “Seriously, mate? How many times is that now? Why do you keep turning her down? I’ve heard she’ll do anything for a scrap of attention.”

“I don’t need a Luna with big tits and no brain,” I bite out, harsher than intended. “I have a mate chosen by the goddess. She’s the only one who should stand by my side.”

The words hang heavy in the air. Dane’s grin fades. He leans against the doorframe, arms folded. “You mean Melody.”

I don’t answer. I don’t have to. He’s suspected my regret before, but I’ve never admitted it.

Until now.

“Arthur…” Dane’s voice softens. “You know we have had no luck tracking her down, and even if we found her, do you really think she would forgive you. You rejected her. She left because she was humiliated”

My chest tightens. “I know.”

“She obviously doesn’t want to be found,” he reasons. “If you did find her, do you think you can just walk up and say sorry...”

“I don’t,” I cut him off. “I don’t expect forgiveness. I expect a fight. And I’ll give her one if that’s what it takes.”

Dane whistles low. “You really think you can trick her into coming back?”

“I don’t want to trick her,” I admit, my voice raw. “I want her to see I’m not the same man who broke her. I’ve spent two years training, learning, clawing my way back from that mistake. My father is ready to hand over the reins, but he insists I take a chosen mate before he steps down. He won’t risk our bloodline.”

“So the Cup…?”

“Is my only chance,” I say. “The pack thinks I’m competing to find a Luna. Let them believe it. It buys me time, the chance to talk to other packs and find her, time to figure out how to win Melody back.”

Dane studies me for a long moment. “And if she doesn’t want you? If you hunt her down and she rejects you?”

My wolf growls, a sound that vibrates through my bones.

“She will be ours again. No matter what it takes. No matter how much we have to beg or bleed.”

“I’ll bring her back,” I promise him silently. “I swear it.”

He’s suffered as much as I have, maybe more.

Every day without her is a wound that won’t heal.