The coffee in front of me had gone cold. I couldn't drink it anyway—my stomach was tied in knots watching Natalie's smug face as she lounged across from me.
"You know," she said, trailing her finger along the rim of Julian's jacket, "he's absolutely insatiable. Couldn't keep his hands off me all night."
I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt. "I don't care what Julian does anymore."
"Oh, please." Natalie leaned forward, her perfect blonde hair falling over her shoulder. "We both know that's a lie. You've been pathetically clinging to him for five years."
"I clung to the hope of giving my daughter a father," I corrected her, keeping my voice steady despite the rage building inside me. "That obligation died with her."
Natalie's blue eyes sparkled with malice. "Speaking of dying, Julian comforted little Isabelle all night. Her new kidney is working perfectly."
The deliberate cruelty made my wolf snarl within me. Violet's kidney—stolen and transplanted into this woman's child while my baby died alone.
"How do you sleep at night?" I whispered.
"On Egyptian cotton sheets, with Julian's arms around me." She reached into her purse again. "Want to see what else he left at my place?"
Before I could respond, she dangled a pair of men's black boxer briefs between her fingers. Several other café patrons turned to stare.
"He ripped my dress off so quickly," she continued, loud enough for everyone to hear. "We barely made it to the bedroom."
My cheeks burned with humiliation, but I refused to look away. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
"Are you finished?" I asked flatly.
Natalie tucked the underwear back into her purse and pulled her blouse down slightly, revealing a series of dark hickeys on her neck.
"Not nearly," she purred. "But Julian certainly was. Three times, in fact."
I took a deep breath, channeling all my grief into cold determination. "You can have him, Natalie. You two deserve each other."
She blinked, clearly thrown by my lack of jealousy. "You don't mean that."
"I do." I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "But there's something you should know. Something Julian probably never told you."
Natalie's expression wavered. "What?"
"Our mating ceremony was never legally binding. We never signed the Moon Registry papers."
The shock on her face was worth every moment of this torture. For five years, Julian had kept our relationship unofficial—a slight that had once hurt me deeply. Now, it felt like my only advantage.
"You're lying," she hissed, her composure cracking.
"Ask him yourself," I replied with a calm I didn't feel. "Julian knew I wasn't his true mate. He made sure there was always an escape clause."
Before Natalie could respond, a shadow fell across our table. The scent hit me first—pine and winter air, with an undercurrent of anger.
Julian.
"What's going on here?" His deep voice sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.
Natalie's expression transformed instantly, vulnerability replacing her earlier smugness. "Julian! Thank goodness you're here. She's been saying such awful things."
I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. "Really, Natalie? That's the best you can do?"
Julian's amber gaze locked on me, his jaw tight. "Aurelia, I need to speak with you. Alone."
"No." I stood up, gathering my purse. "I have nothing to say to you."
His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my wrist like an iron shackle. "That wasn't a request."
"Let go." I kept my voice low, aware of the audience we were attracting. "You're hurting me."
Julian's grip tightened. "We need to discuss Violet."
"Now you want to discuss her?" My voice cracked. "Five days after her funeral? Five years after you abandoned us both?"
Natalie stood up, placing herself between us. "Julian, darling, I don't feel well." She swayed slightly, pressing her hand to her forehead. "I think I need to sit down."
His attention immediately shifted to her, his grip on my wrist loosening. I pulled free, staring in disbelief at the angry red marks blossoming on my skin.
"Take care of your 'real family,'" I spat, throwing Natalie's words back at them. "I have somewhere to be."
I walked away without looking back, my wrist throbbing in time with my racing heart. Julian's voice called after me, but I didn't stop. I couldn't bear another second in their presence.
Twenty minutes later, I stood in the center of Silver Moon Mall, staring up at the banner announcing the Annual Healer's Crystal Competition. The grand prize: one million dollars and recognition as the region's top crystal healer.
Money I desperately needed for Violet's proper burial.
The temporary urn sitting on my mantel wasn't good enough. My daughter deserved the sacred Moonwood Ceremonial Urn, crafted by pack elders and infused with protective magic to guide her spirit to peace. But the traditional burial rites cost more money than I had—money Julian had refused to provide when he dismissed Violet's illness as "attention-seeking."
I traced my fingers over the application form I'd picked up, determination settling into my bones. I was good at crystal healing—better than good. It was how I'd supported Violet and myself when Julian's "allowance" wasn't enough for her medical bills.
"Aurelia Monroe." A warm, familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. "I was hoping I'd find you here."
Elder Juniper stood before me, her weathered face creased with genuine concern. As the oldest healer in our territory and my former mentor, she was one of the few who had shown kindness during Violet's illness.
"Elder," I greeted her with a respectful bow of my head.
Her eyes fell to the application in my hands. "You're entering?"
I nodded. "I need the prize money."
Understanding dawned in her wise eyes. "For the Moonwood burial rites."
"Julian refused to pay." My voice came out bitter. "He said a standard urn was 'sufficient.'"
Elder Juniper's gaze hardened. "That boy never did understand our sacred traditions." She placed her gnarled hand over mine. "Your crystal work has always been exceptional, Aurelia. If anyone can win this competition, it's you."
For the first time in days, a flicker of hope sparked in my chest. "Do you really think so?"
"I know so." She squeezed my hand. "Your ability to infuse healing energy into crystals surpasses even mine. It's a rare gift."
Tears pricked at my eyes. "Thank you, Elder."
She patted my cheek gently. "Violet's spirit won't rest until she's properly honored. Win this competition. Give your daughter peace."
With those words, she shuffled away, leaving me with renewed purpose. I completed the application and submitted it to the registration desk, ignoring the whispers that followed me. Everyone knew who I was—the Alpha's unwanted mate, now the mother of a dead child.
Let them talk. I had more important things to focus on.
The sky had darkened by the time I finished shopping for the competition supplies. Basic crystals, purification herbs, binding cords—everything I would need to create a healing matrix impressive enough to win the judges' favor.
My arms laden with bags, I made my way to the parking garage. The concrete structure was eerily quiet, my footsteps echoing in the empty space. Most shoppers had left hours ago.
As I approached my car, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Something felt wrong. I quickened my pace, fumbling for my keys.
A black SUV with tinted windows pulled up alongside me, moving slowly. I clutched my bags tighter, heart racing. Just a few more steps to my car.
The SUV's rear window rolled down.
I made the mistake of glancing over.
A hand shot out, grabbing my wrist—the same one Julian had bruised earlier. Before I could scream, I was yanked forward with supernatural strength. My bags scattered across the concrete as I was pulled headfirst into the vehicle.
The door slammed shut behind me, and the SUV accelerated with a screech of tires.