Marked by a Stronger Alpha After Being His Stand-in

At two in the morning, Scarlett sent me photos.

The first: Rocco on one knee in the plaza below his office building, holding a bouquet of white roses and gazing up lovingly at the building's facade.

The second: A silhouette of them running in the moonlight, her in a white dress, him chasing after her.

The third: A candid shot from that very afternoon, of them embracing in his office.

I put down my phone and walked to the window.

In the distance, the commercial tower was still ablaze with light, the show still playing on a loop.

So that was it.

What my colleagues thought was an "anniversary surprise" was actually Rocco's public declaration of love for Scarlett.

I picked up my phone and replied: "Congratulations."

Then I blocked her number.

Eight days until my flight.

The next morning, I received a mass message from Rocco's assistant: "The Alpha is participating in a five-day, inter-pack hunting competition. He'll be out of contact."

Five days.

Just enough time for me to handle everything.

I called a moving company immediately.

"You want everything moved?" one of the movers asked.

"Everything that's mine," I said, pointing to the boxes I had already packed. "This is all of it."

Six years of a relationship, all packed away into a dozen cardboard boxes.

The irony was bitter.

"What about the furniture and decorations?" the mover asked, gesturing to the loveseat and the photos on the wall.

I glanced at the pieces I had once so carefully chosen, each one a vessel for my hopes for our home.

"Leave them."

Those things belonged to "us." Now that "we" no longer existed, they were meaningless.

After the moving truck drove away, I stood in the empty den for one last look.

Then I closed the door and walked away without looking back.

For the next few days, I stayed in a hotel downtown, taking care of my affairs.

Separating bank accounts, changing insurance beneficiaries, terminating contracts.

On the fourth day, I was in my father's study discussing the final details of the marriage alliance when I got a call from Jessica, the receptionist at Rocco's company.

"Luna Caterina, a package arrived for you, but since you weren't home, the courier brought it to the office," Jessica said, her voice bright with excitement. "It's a huge, beautiful box!"

I frowned. "What is it?"

"It has the Blackwood Pack's crest on it. It must be something important. The Alpha isn't here, so we didn't dare do anything with it."

The Blackwood Pack?

It must be the ceremonial gown for the new Luna.

"I understand. Thank you."

After hanging up, a sense of dread washed over me.

If Rocco saw that gown…

Sure enough, that afternoon, I received a furious call from him.

"Caterina!"

He was practically roaring, his Alpha's rage so potent I could feel it through the phone.

"Get your ass to my office. Now."

I could hear the sound of things shattering in the background. It sounded like he was destroying his office.

I glanced at my watch. Four days until my flight.

"Fine. I'm on my way."

I threw the door to Rocco's office open with a resounding crash.

He stood with his back to me, staring out the floor-to-ceiling window, radiating a dangerous aura.

On his desk, the exquisite white box had been torn open. Inside, the Luna's ceremonial gown lay in a cascade of deep blue silk and silver embroidery, its patterns of moons and stars glittering in the light.

It was a gown worn only for the most sacred of Luna coronation ceremonies.

"What is this? A Luna gown?" Rocco turned slowly, his eyes blazing with fury. "Don't play dumb, Caterina. Who is he? What Alpha do you think could possibly replace me?"

I remained calm. "That has nothing to do with you."

"Nothing to do with me?" He sneered. "Then who are you wearing it for? That Damon?"

The name seemed to push him over the edge. He strode toward me, each step heavy with an Alpha's absolute authority. "You think finding a replacement will threaten me? Caterina, you are so naive."

"I'm telling you," he seethed, "he would never take another Alpha's marked woman. Not even if you were standing naked in front of him!"

I didn't answer. I just watched him.

Even now, this man thought everything I was doing was just a desperate attempt to win him back.

"Who do you think you are?" Rocco advanced on me, his Alpha presence pressing down like a physical weight. "Without my permission, without the Elders' blessing, you will never be with another man! You belong to me!"

His voice dropped to a low growl. "You think you can play games with me, Caterina? You are way out of your league."