Chapter 3

I spent three days selling everything off.

During those three days, Lucian never came back.

I heard he was busy preparing for his marking ceremony with Sophia.

The whole Blackwood Tribe was thrilled.

Nobody noticed that I, Lucian's ex-lover, was slowly emptying the villa.

When I moved out the last valuable item, the empty living room seemed especially huge.

I stood in the middle of the living room, looking at this place I'd lived in for five years.

I felt empty inside, yet somehow relieved.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door lock turning.

Lucian pushed the door open and froze when he saw the empty living room.

"Did we get robbed?" he asked instinctively, his hand already reaching for the weapon at his waist.

I looked at him calmly. "No, I sold everything."

Lucian let go of his weapon, his brow furrowed, and asked me angrily.

"Are you crazy? Those were all expensive pieces I bought at auctions! Are you that desperate for money?"

He strode over and grabbed my wrist, gripping it hard.

"Audrey, have I ever let you go hungry or without clothes? You want money so badly you'd sell even the vases in the house?"

"Home?"

I couldn't help but laugh, gently pulling my hand free.

"Lucian, don't give me that."

"This was never my home, and I never planned to settle down here."

"This is your territory, and I was just a tenant here."

"Since I'm leaving, of course, I need to get rid of things that don't belong to me."

"Leaving?" Lucian acted like he'd heard a joke. "Where are you going? Back to the wandering district to pick through trash?"

He let go of my hand, his eyes full of contempt.

"Stop being dramatic. I know you're throwing a tantrum because of Sophia."

"But I told you, as long as you behave, there'll always be a place for you here."

"You can keep living here as my mistress."

"I'll give you double the money, as long as you don't show up in front of Sophia."

Even now, he still thought I could be bought off with money.

He still thought that being his mistress was a huge blessing for a wandering werewolf like me.

Looking at the handsome but arrogant Lucian in front of me, I suddenly realized how naive I'd been to be moved by him five years ago.

I didn't love him anymore.

Once that filter shattered, he was just an ordinary, arrogant alpha.

"Lucian," I called his name for the last time.

"Do you know why I stayed for these five years?"

Lucian paused. "For money, what else?"

"I gave you a chance."

The opportunity to be the Queen of the Silvermoon Clan's mate and share half the world's wealth.

"But unfortunately, you didn't pass the test."

Lucian froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.

His laughter was full of mockery.

"A test? Who do you think you are to test me? Audrey, get real."

"All we had was a transaction."

He pulled out a checkbook from his pocket, quickly scribbled down a string of numbers, tore it off, and slapped it against my face.

The sharp edge of the paper cut across my cheek. It stung.

"Take it. This is for your little tantrum these past few days. Get the house furnished again, I don't like it this empty."

With that, he didn't even look at me again and turned to go upstairs.

"Oh, and," he stopped at the staircase, "you don't need to come to tomorrow's marking ceremony. I don't want Sophia to be upset seeing you."

The check fluttered to the floor.

I bent down and picked it up.

The amount was substantial, but I didn't need money.

Still, I could donate it to an orphanage.

"Alright, Alpha."

I bowed deeply to his retreating figure.

"I wish you and Ms. Brown the blessings of the Moon Goddess."

Lucian's figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs.

He didn't look back, and he didn't catch the farewell in my tone.

He was too confident.

He thought I'd compromise for survival, just like I had for the past five years.

Too bad for him, this time he was wrong.