Chapter 7 The One Uninvited

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(A few hours earlier – a little surprise visit that he did not expect)

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Riana remembered the morning with perfect clarity-the subtle flicker of shock in Beta David's otherwise unreadable eyes. Seated in a convertible car, she smile recalling her short visit that would leave a long term mark.

David was a man of few words and even fewer expressions, Wesley's most trusted aide. While Wesley was. otherwise occupied with his lover, David was the one who truly managed the empire.

That morning, Riana wore her favorite tailored suit, the one that made her feel both powerful and untouchable. She didn't knock when she stepped into the glossy, intimidating office with fancy name plate stating Wesley Winters.

Before that moment, she would float in with carefully painted smiles, perfectly ironed plain dresses, and a mind stuffed full of useless perfect etiquette of an obedient wife like don't slouch in front of the Alpha, he likes his wife poised.

That morning, she strolled in with her chin high, wearing heels sharp enough to strike a man's ego. She walked past those that had mocked her before, talking behind her back while she pretended not to hear. Some pitied her but most wished she never existed in Wesley's life.

Her heels clicked like a countdown to what she had planned to achieve that day. Walking into the office that had the strong scent of her soon-to-be ex-husband, she felt nauseous.

She knew he was not in office as he was most likely busy f*cking his mistress. But his David would be there in his absence.

She met him in his sterile, glass-walled office, placing her resignation letter neatly on his desk. His tie already loose, his sleeves rolled, like he knew chaos was a bout to walk into his life that morning.

"Luna, what –"

"Inform Wesley that the value I've created over the years far exceeds the salary he ever paid me," she said, her voice calm and crisp. "But as of today, I'm done."

David picked up the envelope, his brow furrowing slightly. "Luna, I'm afraid I can't officially accept this without notifying the board. You know the protocol"

"No need for the formality, David" Riana replied with a cool, polished smile. "The board has already been notified. You know better than anyone how efficient I am."

He cleared his throat and slowly stood up, "Luna, let me call Alpha Wesley"

"Don't bother" She adjusted her sleeve, meeting his gaze squarely. "As of today, I am no longer an employee here, nor am I your Luna."

"Why now?"

She smirked with her eyes looking around the room one more time. The place that she knew Delilah had offered her body for her husband's pleasure. A place she had wished she could burn it down to ashes years ago.

When her eyes met his, she gave him a half smile, "You take care, David"

Before David could form another question, Riana slid her sunglasses on and turned, her heels clicking a sharp, final rhythm against the marble floor.

The whispers began before she even reached the elevator-employees peeking from cubicles, speculation swirling in the air.

She heard the murmured bets, the gossip about Delilah soon taking her place. A faint, scornful smile touched her lips. Let them talk.

Outside, the sun glinted off the sleek, obsidian finish of Sasha's convertible. Sasha herself leaned against the door, a smirk playing on her lips, while Carlita gave a

serene wave from the passenger seat.

"Ready to return to your throne, my queen?" Sasha called out.

Riana slid into the car with effortless grace, her chin held high. Letting her hair loose, she smiled and raised her arms in the air, "I'm free!"

Her friends cheered for her as she took her seat in the convertible. And with that, Riana Regalia – once the perfect trophy wife – clicked out of the office tower as though she were walking a runaway.

"Next stop," she said, her voice laced with long-awaited resolve. "The Moon Gala."

"And I know the perfect place to get ready" Carlita sang her words as Sasha drove them out from the city.

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(Later that evening at Mystic Town)

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"Darling, if you tug at the hem of the dress again, I'm putting a spell on your hands to keep it still the whole night" Carlita slapped Riana's fingers away as she gave the last touch of makeup on Riana's face. "There.. you are gorgeous, and bold. I love it"

The feeling was not all mutual. Riana groaned and twirled in front of the mirror. The silk gown hugging every curve of her body was going to make the headline of her comeback in tomorrow's news. "This feels too much"

"Too much?" Sasha snorted while she sat on the boutique sofa like she owned it. Her lips curled forming a smirk, "Your entire life for the past seven years were too much. Too loyal, too obedient. For once, you need to be too hot"

Carlita adjusted the gown's neckline pulling it lower to show some cleavage. "She's right. Tonight is not about being subtle. You need to step into that ball and make every wolf choke on their champagne."

Riana nodded and held her chin up. "Not the kind of support I need tonight but I'll work on it."

"This is our support," Sasha shot back and stood up. "We're supporting your cleavage, your confidence, and your political aspirations. In that order. You have a mission tonight, and you need to have that killer look"

By the time they were done, Riana looked less like a fallen Alpha's wife and more like the Alpha herself. Hair pinned back sleek and sharp, eyes smoky with determination, and a gown that dared anyone laugh at her. "Perfect"

As the girls dropped her to the location where the Moon Gala was held, Riana held her breath trying to control her emotion burning inside her chest. Her eyes scanned the entrance, locating a member of the Wolf council that may be to her advantage.

The ballroom glittered with gold, silver, and wolves who thought they were gods. Riana's heels clicked across marble as conversations dipped. Eyes followed her, whispers trailing of her return.

She's back.

She dares to return.

She thinks she still belongs.

And then, came Amy Brown.

An old acquaintance from her former pack was seen at the entrance. She smelled trouble coming.

"Riana?" Amy's voice cut through the music like nails on glass. She sauntered forward, dripping in diamonds and smugness. Her eyes scanned Riana from head to toe, "Well, well. Look who crawled back into town."

Riana wanted to ignore Amy's presence but was blocked by her and her friends. "Without your husband? How bold of you to come here tonight."

Riana's smile didn't falter. "Boldness is in fashion this season."

Amy gave a sharp laugh, loud enough to turn heads. As always, Amy loved the attention, "Fashion? Sweetheart, no dress can hide the fact your Alpha husband preferred another woman. And now you think you can waltz in here, like you're still relevant? You are no longer accepted here. Did you not get the memo?"

Gasps rippled. Amy's cruelty was like a sport, and tonight she was aiming for gold medal. She gestured to the guards, waving her hand like a Queen. "Guards, remove her. We don't allow ghosts of failed wives at our council gatherings. Besides, she left town for a man who does not love her."

Riana's hand tightened around her clutch, but her chin stayed high. She would not break. Not for Amy. Not for anyone.

"A failure like Riana Regalia being allowed to attend is a disgrace to the Moon Gala."

The crowd buzzed. For the first time that night, Riana felt her pulse race for reasons entirely unrelated to vengeance.

And then-

"Touch her, and you'll answer to me."

The voice came smooth, deep, and familiar enough to make Riana's heart stumble. She turned, and there he was: tall, broad-shouldered, devastating in his tailored suit.

His eyes locked on hers with that same unshakable intensity she remembered from nights that felt like another lifetime. The one she never stopped dreaming about, no matter how hard she tried.

Her inner Wolf Geena whispered his name in her mind, 'Raphael?'