Chapter 3
I sat at the small desk in my room, my fingers hovering over the keyboard of my laptop. The screen displayed the secure login page for the Silverclaw Pack's offshore banking system. My heart pounded against my ribs, but my hands remained steady.
"Just a few more clicks," I whispered to myself.
The irony wasn't lost on me. For years, Graham had treated me like a decorative accessory—his Luna in name only. Yet he'd never bothered to remove my access to the pack's financial systems. Perhaps he thought I was too broken to notice, too defeated to care.
He was wrong.
I entered the final authentication code and watched as the system granted me access. The screen populated with account balances that made my breath catch. Millions. Tens of millions. All bearing the Blackwood name—my family's legacy that had merged with the Silverclaw fortune when I became Graham's mate.
"Time to take back what's mine," I murmured, navigating to the transfer menu.
Because my name remained on the founding documents as the primary heir of the Blackwood fortune, I still had authority. One by one, I initiated transfers from each account, watching the balances diminish as funds flowed into the blind trust managed by the Parisian Lycan Clan.
Jasper had set it up yesterday, his voice calm and reassuring over our secure connection. "The Lycan Council guarantees anonymity and protection. No one can trace these funds back to you once they're in our system."
I paused, my finger hovering over the final confirmation button. Once I pressed this, there would be no going back. The money would be beyond Graham's reach forever.
"For you," I whispered to my lost pup, pressing the button firmly.
The confirmation appeared: Transfer Complete.
I closed the laptop and slid it beneath a loose floorboard under my bed. The room suddenly felt lighter, as if I'd shed another layer of chains.
---
I needed to check one last place before finalizing my escape plans.
The nursery was at the end of the east wing, a room I'd spent months preparing with love and hope. Pale yellow walls. A handcrafted oak crib. Stuffed animals arranged carefully on shelves. A rocking chair where I'd imagined holding my child.
I approached the door slowly, my hand trembling slightly as I pushed it open.
The sight that greeted me froze my blood.
Jade stood in the center of the room, directing two Omega wolves who were packing away the remaining baby items. The crib was already dismantled, its pieces stacked against the wall. The rocking chair was gone. The walls had been stripped of the forest-themed decals I'd so carefully applied.
"Oh!" Jade turned, her hand flying to her chest in mock surprise. "Serena, I didn't expect you."
"What are you doing?" My voice came out steadier than I felt.
Jade's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Didn't Graham tell you? We're converting this space." She gestured around the room with manicured hands. "It's going to be my private yoga studio."
"Yoga studio?" The words felt like glass in my throat.
"Yes." She stepped closer, fingering my mother's moonstone at her throat. "Graham thinks it's best. He says looking at empty cribs is too... depressing for him." Her eyes glittered with malice. "For both of us, really."
One of the Omegas glanced up nervously, then quickly looked away, continuing her work with trembling hands.
"I need this space to manage my stress," Jade continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "All this baby stuff was just a reminder of... unfortunate events."
I stared at her, at the calculated cruelty in her eyes. She wanted me to break down, to give her another victory.
I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
"Enjoy your yoga," I said quietly, turning to leave.
"Oh, Serena?" Jade called after me. "Graham says you should stay out of the way tonight. The pack is throwing me a little birthday celebration."
I paused at the doorway but didn't turn back. "Happy birthday."
---
A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened it to find Beta Marcus standing there, his expression uncomfortable.
"Luna," he said, his eyes not quite meeting mine. "I've come to... inform you of tonight's activities."
"Jade's birthday party," I supplied.
He nodded, shifting his weight. "The Alpha wants you to remain in your quarters during the celebration."
"And if I refuse?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Marcus's jaw tightened. "It would be... easier for everyone if you didn't attend."
Easier for Graham. Easier for Jade. Never easier for me.
"I understand," I said, stepping back into my room. "Please tell Alpha Graham I'll comply with his wishes."
Relief flickered across Marcus's face. "Thank you, Luna."
As he turned to leave, I called after him. "Beta Marcus?"
He paused, looking back at me with cautious eyes.
"Will there be music?" I asked innocently.
"Ah, yes," he nodded. "The Alpha has arranged for a band. It will be... loud."
"Good," I said softly. "I like it loud."
Something in my tone made him study me more closely, but he found nothing suspicious in my expression.
After he left, I locked the door and leaned against it, a slow smile spreading across my face. Loud music meant noise. Noise meant cover. And cover meant opportunity.
Jasper would be waiting at the eastern border at midnight.
The party would provide the perfect distraction for my escape.
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