My wolf claws at my skin, desperate to tear Lydia apart. Gritting my teeth, I narrow my eyes at the she-wolf. "Lydia, you're the second person to blackmail me this month. This is getting old."

Rolling my eyes, I continue, "And you seem to forget I'm on the board of the Moon Valley Associated Press. I hold shares in every major city publication. Furthermore, none of them want the Prince to win; a Prince victory means the end of the free press."

Lydia snarls, throwing up her hands. "Fine! I'll text it to everyone I know!"

"And I'll refute it," I say coldly. "I'll claim it's an old photo from our marriage, and the pack will believe me. You're a traitor who abandoned them." I scan the room for her phone. Refuting her story might sway the pack, but I don't want to risk it.

I spot her phone on the hotel bed's pristine white coverlet. Straightening, I stride toward Lydia, towering over her. "You've gone too far," I declare, backing her against the wall. "Leave Moon Valley by sunset. Don't come back."

"Or what?" she mutters, tears brimming. "You'll kill me?"

"You aren't my mate anymore," I remind her. "And you never deserved to be. I will kill you if you force me, but it doesn't have to come to that. Go back to your husband, adopt a child—whatever—but stay away from my family."

Lydia shakes her head, defiant, though the scent of her fear intensifies. "I don't believe you'd harm me."

With controlled fury, I close my fist around her throat, letting her feel my rage. "You took my brother from me for over a decade," I remind her. "You ignored fate until it benefited you, blaming our fertility struggles on me for years." My voice is a snarl. The insecurity is gone, but the hurt remains.

I press on, watching panic grow in her eyes as I cut off her air. "You left when the pack needed a strong Luna. Your selfishness endangered everyone in Moon Valley, paving the way for a tyrant. You drugged me, tried to steal my sperm, and made Ella cry!"

I hiss, surprised my wolf finds this as offensive as Lydia's actions. It was more than tears; Ella ran away because of Lydia, and might have been killed if I hadn't found her. "You're only alive because you were my mate. That protection is gone."

I release her abruptly, grabbing her phone as she gasps against the wall. "You have until sunset. After that, all bets are off."

I storm out, hearing her slide down the wall, sobbing. Once, my mate's distress would have broken me; now, it brings satisfaction.

I should have ended things years ago. I never should have started the relationship. I wasn't strong enough then, but I am now—for my pack, for Ella and Rafe, even for Roger.

I want to go home to Ella, but I need to release this rage. I take my guards to the forest, shifting as soon as we leave the car, and run through the woods at top speed, leaving them behind. I run until my fury subsides, only stopping when my wolf is calm enough to think of Lydia without growling.

I work from home, finally returning to Ella. She's asleep in my bed, curled in a ball. At first, I think it's a pillow, but I see her breathing. The precious human is cocooned in bedding. I lift the duvet, kissing her hair, admiring her serene expression.

I shower, still sweaty. I tell myself I must return to work, despite wanting to nap with Ella.

"Just five minutes?" my wolf begs.

"It's never five minutes," I grumble. "Five turns into fifteen, then an hour. Besides, Ella needs rest."

"We promised to update her about Lydia," he reminds me.

"And we will," I promise. "When she wakes."

I dress and go to my study, planning to check on Ella later. Around three, I hear her padding down the hall, followed by a soft knock.

I open the door, looking down at the beautiful human with a furrowed brow. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"Two twenty-minute walks, remember?" she says pointedly. "I wanted a snack, and my guard said you were home."

"And how did you get downstairs?" I ask, brushing hair from her face.

"Marcus carried me," Ella declares, gesturing to the guard. "What happened with Lydia?"

I glance at the guard, reminding my wolf we can't be annoyed he followed orders, just because he touched her. "Let's get you a snack, then we'll talk," I suggest, scooping her up.

"Dominic, I want to walk!" she groans. "I've been in bed all day."

"More stairs," I object, secretly relieved. I haven't held her since this morning, and I've missed her.

"Fine, but I'm standing when we get there," she declares.

"As long as you're next to me," I reply, hugging her close as we navigate the corridors. "Nice nap?"

"Fine. What happened with Lydia?" she presses.

"So impatient," I chuckle, setting her down in the kitchen. "Food first. What do you crave?"

Ella crosses her arms, tilting her chin defiantly. "Dominic Sinclair, I'm not eating until you tell me."

I arch a brow, giving her my most disapproving look. She glares, but finally caves at my low rumble. "Fine," she huffs, getting baby carrots and hummus. She eats, then says, "There, happy?"

"Not yet," I murmur, pulling her between my legs. My wolf relaxes, knowing we can catch her if she feels faint. I feed her carrots, noticing she was hungrier than she admitted. Her grumpiness fades.

Finally, I announce, "Lydia isn't pregnant."