CHAPTER 5

Giovanni’s POV

"Now that we have a Luna, I do hope the elders will back down from their so-called project," my Beta, Jack, said, his tone hopeful.

"Back down?" I let out a sharp laugh, pouring myself a glass of whiskey. "They’re not backing down. If anything, I need to be even more vigilant. Sophia’s human, and that makes her a target."

Jack hesitated, shifting awkwardly. "But… how was it possible we couldn’t pick up her scent? She wasn’t giving off a human—"

I cut him off with a glare, sharp enough to silence him mid-sentence. He didn’t seriously expect me to explain how I’ve kept my Luna hidden all this time, did he?

Shaking my head, I returned my focus to the documents on my desk. Pack affairs, business deals—it was all routine, yet my mind wandered to something far more pressing.

My stepbrother.

He’s been off the radar for two years, and I know damn well he’s up to something. He’s too cunning to disappear without reason. Whatever he’s planning, it’s bound to surface soon.

A sharp voice tore through my thoughts.

"Giovanni!"

I knew that voice all too well.

Reluctantly, I left my office and stepped into the hall. There she was.

Michelle.

The woman I once loved. The woman who betrayed me by sleeping with my best friend in our marital bed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my tone calm, though my patience was already wearing thin.

"I heard you got married!" she snapped, eyes blazing. "You cheat!"

I rolled my eyes. "Don’t play that game with me, Michelle. I’m not the one who slept with their best friend."

Her gaze faltered, shame flashing across her face for a moment. But she quickly recovered, her anger reigniting.

"Where is she?" she demanded, pacing the room like a caged animal. "Who is she?"

"Michelle, you need to leave," I said, my tone firm.

She let out a bitter laugh, her voice dripping with mockery. "Are you seriously throwing me out? Me! A Beta’s daughter! Your wife!"

"Ex-wife," I snapped, my voice rising with anger. "And as your Alpha, I’m ordering you to leave. You’re nothing to me, Michelle. Nothing. You betrayed me in the worst way possible. On our bed, with my best friend." I took a step closer, glaring down at her. "You disgust me."

Her face twisted in fury, but I didn’t care.

"I hate you," I growled. "Now get out."

Michelle opened her mouth to argue, her voice shrill. “You think you can throw me out like some nobody? I’m the Beta’s daughter! I was your wife!”

“You were,” I said coldly, turning back toward my desk, signaling the conversation was over.

But Michelle wasn’t done. “You’ll regret this, Giovanni. I’m not leaving until you—”

Before she could finish, the door creaked open. Sophia stepped in, holding a tray with a glass of milk and some papers. Her movements were quiet and graceful, unaware of the storm she’d just walked into.

Michelle’s eyes landed on her immediately. “You!” she snapped. “Go and get me some water. And hurry up!”

Sophia paused, glancing between Michelle and me, unsure. “I’m sorry,” she began softly, “I’m not a—”

Michelle didn’t let her finish. She strode across the room and slapped Sophia across the cheek, the sound reverberating through the air.

“Go and get me something to drink!” Michelle shouted, her tone dripping with entitlement.

Sophia’s head turned slightly from the force of the slap, but she stood her ground, her voice calm and steady as she looked back at Michelle. “I’m not a maid. I’m his wife. His Luna.”

Michelle froze for a moment, staring at her in disbelief. Then she burst out laughing, the sound loud and mocking. “You? His wife?” she sneered. “Don’t make me laugh! You’re just a cover-up. A pathetic little placeholder for me, the real wife!”

Sophia didn’t flinch, her voice unwavering. “I don’t care what you think. I’m his wife, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Michelle’s laughter faded, replaced by a snarl. She took a step closer, her eyes narrowing. “Where are you even from? What kind of nobody are you? Do you even know what it means to be a Luna? You think you can handle him?”

Before Sophia could answer, I’d had enough. I moved faster than Michelle could react, my hand striking her across the face.

The room fell silent.

“Don’t you dare,” I said, my voice low but laced with fury. “Don’t you ever lay a hand on my wife again.”

Michelle’s hand flew to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock. “You hit me?” she whispered, her voice trembling with indignation.

“I did,” I said coldly, stepping between her and Sophia. “And I’ll do it again if you disrespect her. You’re no one to me, Michelle. You lost that right the day you betrayed me.”

Sophia placed a gentle hand on my arm, her voice soft. “Giovanni, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not,” I said, my eyes never leaving Michelle. “You don’t deserve her kindness. You’re lucky I haven’t thrown you out yet.”

Michelle’s eyes darted between us, her anger simmering beneath the surface. “This isn’t over,” she hissed, her voice venomous.

“It is,” I said firmly. “Leave. Now.”

She glared at me one last time before storming out, slamming the door behind her.

I turned to Sophia, my anger melting away as I saw the faint redness on her cheek. Guilt twisted in my chest. “Are you okay?” I asked softly.

She nodded, her smile small but reassuring. “I’m fine. She didn’t hurt me.”

I cupped her face gently, my thumb brushing over the mark. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

"You didn’t tell me you had a damn wife!" Sophia hissed, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

I ruffled my hair, exhaling sharply. “I’m sorry, okay? She’s not my wife—she’s my ex-wife. She cheated on me with my best friend, Sophia. I didn’t think she’d ever show her face again.”

“Whatever,” she snapped, shaking her head. “This is just a contract. I don’t care what baggage you bring, Giovanni.” She turned to leave, her steps quick and decisive.

Before she could get far, I reached out and grabbed her hand. “Sophia, wait.”

She stopped but didn’t turn around. “What?”

“I know this is a contract. I know none of this feels real to you, but you don’t deserve to be treated like this. Not by me, not by anyone. You don’t seriously think I’d let anyone call you a cover-up or disrespect you, do you?”

She finally turned to face me, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt. “Giovanni, I’m a human. Do you think the Lycan King, or anyone in your pack, will ever truly accept me? At best, I’m a placeholder. At worst, I’m a joke.”

Her words stung, and I shook my head firmly. “I never said that.”

She let out a humorless chuckle. “You didn’t have to. It’s written all over this arrangement. Let’s not pretend this is anything more than what it is—a convenient deal for you and nothing more.”

“That’s not true,” I said, stepping closer. “You’re not a joke, Sophia. I meant what I said—you’re my wife, and you’re my Luna. No one, not even an ex-wife with a grudge, is going to change that.”

Her gaze softened for a moment before she pulled her hand free. “Words are easy, Giovanni. Prove it.”

“I will,” I promised, my voice firm. “But I need you to trust me.”

Sophia looked at me for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether I was worth the effort. Finally, she sighed. “I’m still mad at you.”

“I’d be worried if you weren’t,” I replied, offering her a faint smile.

She didn’t return it, but the anger in her expression eased. “Good night, Giovanni.”

“Good night, Sophia,” I said softly, watching her leave.