Ex–fiancé’s Invitation
(Ethan’s POV)
There are five days in my life I’ll never forget.
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The first was when Amber Chase disappeared after that terrible ardent in high school the one that swakened her wolf prematurely. I still remember the chaos, the blood, and her terrified amber eyes before her parents whisked her away.
The second was when she returned to Silvercrest City years later, more beautiful and confident than ever. My wolf Noah howled with recognition—she was meant to be ours.
The third was the day I met Melissa. The day my heart began to slit, torn between duty and desire.
The fourth was the day she announced she was breaking off our me bond with me.
And today might be the fifth.
“You need to apologize in the pack group chat,” my father said, his voice firm as he handed me back my phone. “It’s not just about making amends–it’s strategic.”
I clenched my jaw. “Strategic? Dominic has humiliated our entire family!”
“And he could do worse.” Father’s eyes hardened. “This is about maintaining our position in the pack hierarchy. Your mother overstepped by attacking the future Luna without evidence.”
Noah growled inside me, reluctant and angry. But even my wolf understood the necessity.
“Fine,” I muttered, taking the phone. “I’ll apologize.”
Father nodded. “Good. I’ll post mine first, then you follow. It shows we’re unified but also respects the chain of command. This isn’t about submitting to Amber and Dominic–it’s about showing obedience to pack structure.”
As Father typed his message, I quickly called Melissa. She needed to understand what was happening.
“No!” Melissa’s voice was high and thin through the phone. “I won’t apologize to her!”
I could picture her in the hospital bed, bandages covering her injuries, her face flushed with anger.
“Melissa, please,” I urged, keeping my voice low as I stepped into the hallway. “This isn’t about who’s right anymore.”
“She ruined everything,” Melissa whimpered. “And now your mother hates me too. Olivia slapped me, Ethan! My face still stings.”
I winced at the reminder. “I know, and I’m sorry. But we need to do this.”
“Why should I apologize when I’m the one lying in a hospital bed? These silver–infused monitoring devices are making my wolf uncomfortable!”
I took a deep breath, then let my eyes flash with alpha authority. “Because I’m asking you to. Because our position in this pack is precarious right now, and we need to appease my father.”
There was silence on the other end. Then a small, defeated voice. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Thank you,” I said, relief washing over me. “I’ll help you draft something appropriate.”
After finishing the call, I leaned against the wall, exhaustion settling into my bones. Keeping Melissa calm while navigating pack politics was draining me.
As I walked back toward Melissa’s room, voices from my parents‘ adjoining hospital suite stopped me in my tracks.
“You had no right to attack that girl!” My father’s voice was low but intense.
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“She nearly killed our grandchild!” Mother shot back.
“The video clearly shows Melissa at fault, and you know it.” Father’s voice hardened. “Now we’re all paying the price for your impulsive behavior.”
“Oh, like you care about this family!” Mother’s voice cracked. “You’ve never cared about me or our marriage!”
“How could I?” Father’s response was so quiet I had to strain to hear it. “When William forced me to mate with you instead of Grace?”
My blood ran cold. What?
“Don’t you dare bring her up again!” Mother’s voice trembled with fury.
“Grace was my fated mate, Olivia. We both know it. But William saw her first and decided he wanted her for himself. So he forced me to take you instead.”
I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. William Blackwood–my grandfather, and Dominic’s father–had forced my father to mate with my mother? While taking my father’s true mate for himself?
“And now his son is Alpha heir,” Father continued bitterly. “While our son loses everything.”
“Is that why you’re so quick to bow to Dominic?” Mother accused. “Still trying to please William after all these years?”
“I’m trying to salvage what’s left of our family’s standing,” Father growled. “Something you seem determined to destroy.”
I backed away silently, my mind reeling. This explained everything—my father’s long–standing resentment toward the pack Alpha, the tension at family gatherings, the cold distance between my parents.
And it cast a dark shadow over my family’s place in the pack.
(Amber’s POV)
“You should have seen the pack chat,” I told Paige, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice as I sat in her office. “After Dominic created it, everyone started taking sides.”
My amber eyes twinkled with joy as I described how several Blackwood pack members had transferred money to my account.
“Benjamin Blackwood apologized first, then transferred $100,000 as ‘emotional damages.‘ Then everyone started adding more!
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Paige leaned forward, her eyes wide. “Seriously? How much?”
“Over $150,000 total.” I shook my head in disbelief. “I donated it all to create a scholarship fund for young pack members.”
“Smart move,” Paige nodded approvingly. “Shows you’re above petty revenge.”
“It wasn’t about the money,” I said. “It was about being recognized. They’re finally acknowledging my status.”
Paige reached across the desk to squeeze my hand. “Dominic really stood up for you. That man is committed to protecting you as his Luna.”
I ran my fingers over the marking scar on my neck, a smile tugging at my lips. “He’s been incredible. So supportive and protective.”
“Then cherish that,” Paige said firmly. “Not many wolves find a mate who will stand against their own family to defend them.”
“I know,” I admitted. “But sometimes I worry. There’s this she–wolf from another territory–she seems so capable, so confident. What if
My phone vibrated, interrupting my thought. I glanced down and froze.
“What is it?” Paige asked, noticing my expression.
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“It’s Ethan,” I said, my voice tight. “He wants to meet. Says he needs to tell me something about Dominic’s true motives for marking me.”
Cora, my wolf, mentally growled in disbelief.
“Don’t,” Paige said immediately, her brown eyes grave. “He’s trying to cause problems between you and Dominic.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” Paige’s tone was firm. “He’s lost his standing in the pack, and you’re rising. He’s desperate.”
I nodded, taking a screenshot of Ethan’s message. “You’re right. f sending this straight to Dominic. No secrets between mates.”
After sending the message, I turned back to Paige. “About that woman I mentioned…”
“The one you’re worried about? Who is she?”
“I don’t know her name,” I admitted. “But I saw her with Dominic at the Howling River Restaurant. Tall, confident posture, maybe late thirties? The way they interacted seemed… familiar.”
Paige’s eyes widened with recognition. “Wait–was she wearing floral earrings? Always impeccably dressed?”
“Yes! That’s her.”
Paige burst into laughter. “Amber, that’s Ryan’s aunt, Vivian Quinn! She’s a powerful Alpha female, but trust me, she has zero
interest in men like Dominic.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, unconvinced.
“Positive. She’s currently on her fourth mate–she prefers the submissive type, especially young, physically strong wolves she can dominate.” Paige shook her head, still chuckling. “Dominic is the exact opposite of her type.”
I relaxed slightly, but something still bothered me. “Lucas seemed to think there was something between them.”
“Lucas?” Paige frowned. “Why would he try to make you suspicious of Dominic?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he was trying to protect me?”
“Or maybe he has his own agenda in pack politics,” Paige mused. “The Blackwood family is complicated.”
Before she could elaborate, my phone rang. Dominic’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hello?” I answered quickly.
“I got your message,” Dominic’s deep voice came through, warm and reassuring. “About Ethan wanting to meet.”
“I thought you should know.”
“Thank you for telling me.” His voice carried that comforting aura that always quieted both me and my wolf. “I think I know what he’s trying to do. Let me explain everything myself.”
Later that night, I lay in bed beside Dominic, his strong arms wrapped around me as he spoke.
“I believe Ethan has discovered the truth about our fathers‘ past rivalry,” he said quietly, his blue eyes serious in the dim light. It’s an old story, but one that still affects our families.”
“What happened?” I asked, nestling closer to him.
Dominic sighed. “It’s about my mother, Grace. When she was attending Moonlight Academy, she had a chance encounter with Benjamin at a café. They discovered they were fated mates.”
My eyes widened. “Benjamin? Ethan’s father?”
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“Yes. But my mother was determined to finish her studies in the man world first. She wasn’t ready to commit to pack life.”
“What happened then?”
“When she was volunteering at a charity before she graduated, William happened to go to a meeting at that charity.” Dominic’s voice was slightly raw.” He was immediately attracted to her, but she actually had Benjamin on her mind the whole time.”
“So what did William do?”
He used the Alpha King to force her to accept him. And threatened her to consider Benjamin’s place in the pack, after all, he has more than one son.” Dominic’s jaw tightened.” My mother had no choice but to reject Benjamin and bond with my father.”
I gasped. “That’s horrible!”
“They were completely incompatible–too far apart in years, too different in temperament. It made my mother’s life in the pack difficult.” Dominic stroked my hair gently. “And it created a deep resentment in Benjamin that continues to this day.”
“And you think Ethan is going to use this against you?”
Dominic nodded.
