Chapter 4 She Did Not Matter

An hour later, Wesley's luxury sedan glided up the driveway. The night was deep, and he assumed his wife was still out carousing with those eccentric friends of hers-the reclusive vampire and that witch he'd never approved of.

'Out partying and maxing out the credit card,' he thought with a smirk, thinking about Riana for a split second.

What kind of Luna preferred the company of night-walkers and spell-weavers over her own Pack? He silently prayed Willa hadn't inherited her mother's questionable tastes.

Willa clung to his sleeve, dragging her feet as she hopped out of the car. "Do we really have to go home, Daddy?" she pouted. "I want to stay with Aunt Delilah longer."

Delilah emerged from the car and crouched, taking Willa's hands gently in her own.

"We'll see each other again soon, sweetheart. For now, your mother is waiting for you." Her voice was honey-smooth. "She just wants time with you and your father. She'd be heartbroken if you didn't come home."

Wesley watched, pleased. Delilah treated Willa as her own-something he doubted Riana would ever be generous enough to do if the roles were reversed. No, Riana was likely waiting inside, poised for a fight. The thought alone was enough to put him on edge.

Yet tonight, something felt off. A prickle of unease traced his spine.

After instructing his driver to take Delilah to the luxury hotel he owned a few blocks away, Wesley led his daughter inside.

"Your mother's probably not home yet," he remarked, glancing around the overly silent foyer.

"Nope," Willa skipped ahead. "I didn't see her car."

He frowned slightly. Not worried-just curious. It was late.

His obedient wife usually waited up for him when she knew he was back in town. She'd always be there-even with that perfect smile and dead eyes. She always came to the door, offered wine, and asked about his flight like a loyal spouse from some old-school etiquette manual.

But tonight? Nothing.

Silence.

"Daddy, do we have to be home tonight? Can't we just stay at the hotel with Aunt Delilah?"

"Darling, if we don't come home tonight, your mother will insist on joining us tomorrow."

Willa wrinkled her nose. "What if Mommy tries to come with us tomorrow?"

"She won't." His voice was steel.

In all their years of marriage, Riana had learned her place. Patience, beauty, quiet devotion-his word always brought her back in line. "Your mother won't challenge me. I'm her Alpha."

Reassured, Willa's mood brightened. She skipped farther inside, calling for the housekeeper.

As he turned back toward the hallway, Mrs. Leah appeared like a retired ghost, her silver-streaked hair pinned neatly back, her posture so precise she could almost be mistaken for an automaton.

"Good evening, Alpha, Miss Willa. Let's get you cleaned up for the night."

Willa was fond of Mrs. Leah, who had often filled the void of loneliness when both her parents were absent. Most of the time, Willa listened to her, treating her with the trust of family.

Pausing her steps, Mrs. Leah turned to face Wesley.

"Alpha. Luna Riana left this for you." She held out a plain ivory envelope.

Wesley took it without interest, his attention already captured by a message from Beta David.

David: Luna Riana has quietly bought out that failing fashion label. Completely.

'With whose money?' he wondered with a smirk. 'Likely mine.'

"Where is she?" he asked without looking up.

Mrs. Leah whispered for Willa to go upstairs, then turned back with unusual hesitation. "She packed her things and returned to Mystic Town. She. didn't inform you, Alpha?"

"She left?" It was unlike Riana to leave the city without notice.

"Yes, Alpha."

He smirked and continued toward his room.

'Perhaps, she finally knows her place and gave way for Delilah to move in.'

'Wes, I sense something unusual,' Vars, his spirit wolf, voiced its concerns, but was ignored by Wesley.

As he walked up the stairs, he caught sight of Willa lingering on the landing, eavesdropping. No doubt disappointed that Riana hadn't stayed to help finish whatever trinket she was crafting for Delilah.

"Alpha." Mrs. Leah followed, her voice softening uncharacteristically. "Luna Riana didn't look well. She seemed. upset."

"Upset?" A dry, mocking smile touched his lips. She'd never shed a tear in all their years of marriage-as if perfectly content with their arrangement.

He'd assumed as long as she had money to spend, this political marriage would hold. Until he consolidated power. Until Willa was old enough to understand.

If not for that damned night eight years ago, he wouldn't still be bound to her.

Delilah was his true mate. The woman who should have been his Luna.

He had no doubt Riana had orchestrated that "accident". Out of fear that her half-sister would surpass her.

A calculated, greedy move from a woman who'd always been threatened by Delilah's grace.

Dismissing Mrs. Leah with a wave, he continued his way, the envelope still clutched in his hand.

As he passed Riana's door, nothing seemed out of place. Shopping bags lay on the floor, and dresses were laid across the bed. She'll be back, he thought.

Then his phone rang. Delilah's name flashed across the screen.

"Miss me already?" he answered lightly.

But Delilah's voice trembled. "Wesley, can you come? I'm scared. I think someone's watching my suite. It could be one of your Pack enemies."

Without another thought for the envelope or Riana's departure, Wesley turned and strode back out of the mansion. Some things were more important than that.

A ten-minute drive later, Wesley strode through the opulent lobby of the Moonlight Grand Hotel, his tie loose, adrenaline sharp in his veins. The thought of an enemy threatening his mate clouded his judgment, overriding any lingering unease from home.

The suite door opened an inch before he could use his keycard, then swung wide.

Delilah stood there, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, wearing nothing but a robe the color of sin.

Candlelight flickered behind her. The suite smelled of jasmine and warm skin. The city lights glittered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, a silent audience to the scene.

"I heard something," she whispered, her voice breathy. "I thought someone was outside."

One hand rested on her chest, the silk robe parting just enough to reveal a tempting glimpse of what lay beneath.

He scanned the room, instincts on high alert, his gaze sharp. "Did you call security?"

She shook her head, her eyes dark and pleading. "I only wanted you."

That gave him pause.

Wanted. Not needed. Wanted.

It was a word that had never found a place in his eight years with Riana. Perhaps this was the pull of a fated bond-raw, undeniable, and utterly selfish.

Delilah stepped closer, her fingers tracing the line of his chest. "I'm sorry. I know you were probably putting Willa to bed, but I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about you." She licked her lips. ".especially after that shower."

In the haze of heat and arrogance, he knew-she had heard nothing. No one had followed her.

The last thread of his control was shaking. He was, after all, still technically a married man. If Riana ever discovered this, the scandal would ripple through Ambrose City like a tidal wave.

But Delilah had always been bold.

She untied her robe.

Let it fall.

The scent of her desire enveloped him, clouding his senses. Reason was a feeble thing in the face of want-a flame too easily snuffed.

A heartbeat later, he lifted her into his arms and carried her straight to the bedroom.

In that moment, Wesley did not foresee the cost of this reckless choice-or how dearly he would one day pay for it.