The Divorced Luna :Claire's Revenge

Episode Four

Claire’s POV

For the first time in years, I felt warmth, not just the physical warmth of the fire crackling in my father’s study, but something deeper, something I had long forgotten, a warmth that whispered of safety, that whispers I had roots and I am no one's slave.

I sat across from him, my fingers curled around the cup of tea the maid had given me. My father Alpha Michael of the Dayes Pack, watched me closely, as if afraid I would vanish if he blinked.

It was surreal.

I had spent my entire life believing I had no family, that I had been abandoned, and yet, here he was, alive, very much real, and looking at me with eyes so much like mine that it made me feel lucky and wanted.

“After the war,” he began, his voice low and laced with sorrow, “our pack was nearly destroyed. Your mother… She stayed behind to protect the weak and the children. She didn’t make it alive, “He said, his voice shaking and his face sad from the sad memories.

I swallowed hard, gripping the cup tighter. He must have loved my mother dearly because I had no memory of her, No recollection of the woman who had given birth to me.

“She made me promise,” my father continued, his gaze distant, “to protect you, but everything fell apart so quickly. I was injured, barely breathing, I was dragged away by my warriors before I could reach you.”

My heart clenched, he had tried.

“I spent years searching for you, Claire.” His voice thickened; years, I never gave up on you; even when the world told me you were dead, I refused to believe it.

I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing my expression to remain neutral as he continued.

I wanted to tell him the truth.

That I had grown up suffering alone, that I had been treated as nothing but a worthless outcast, that I had found a mate who never loved me, who rejected me as if I were nothing more than a stain on his honor.

But I couldn’t, Not yet.

Instead, I offered him a small, guarded smile. “I survived, Father, “I muttered with a fake smile.

His gaze fixed on me, searching my face; he wasn’t a fool; he knew there was more to my story, but he didn’t push it.

“I was… married,” I said finally, keeping my voice even. “But it didn’t work out. He was unfaithful and I left, “I lied.

A low growl rumbled in my father’s throat, his fingers clenching the armrest of his chair. “If I ever see the man who disrespected my daughter, I will tear his throat out, “He uttered angrily.

His tone and how he cared for me even when I had refused to tell him what I actually went through, the feelings I had never felt, of someone ready to fight for me.

I forced a soft chuckle. “I handled it, father.”

Alpha Micheal exhaled deeply, nodding as if to let the matter rest for now. “You’re home now. That’s what matters.”

Home!

I wanted to believe that, but I wasn’t here for a fresh start, I was here for revenge, to plan how to make Ethan suffer just the way I had.

“I will introduce you to the rest of the pack, I will let the world know that my lost daughter has returned, “He said with a smile. I spent most of my time with my father in his study, because he couldn't let go of me. It felt like he couldn't breathe freely if I was not around him.

The day finally arrived, the day I was going to be revealed and introduced, as I had healed completely from physical wound and emotional wounds, I was dressed in a beautiful dress by the maids assigned to me, and escorted by my father and his guards to the Hall, the grand hall was filled with people of different ranks, enforcers, The betas, Gammas, the entire Dayes Pack had gathered, murmuring amongst themselves, their voices filled with curiosity.

I stood beside my father at the head of the room, my back straight, my expression carefully neutral.

This was my first introduction, my first step into this new world, my father raised a hand, and the hall fell silent.

“My fellow pack members,” he began, his voice echoing through the space. “I have called you here today for an important announcement.”

All eyes were on us.

His gaze softened as he looked at me. “Many of you know of the daughter I lost during the war. For years, I had searched, hoping and praying that she was still alive.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the pack, my father turned back to them, his voice ringing with pride.

“She is here, “he announced happily.

Gasps filled the air.

I stepped forward, meeting their gazes head-on.

“This is Claire,” my father announced. “My blood, my heir, the lost princess of Daye's pack.”

For a moment, there was silence, then cheers, shouts of welcome, and a sense of something I had never experienced before: acceptance.

Woooh! Oooh! Oooh!, “they growled happily.

My wolf stirred inside me, sensing the pack’s warmth, It felt strange but… good.

And then, I saw him.

The moment my gaze landed on him, something shifted in me.

He stood among the warriors, tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of quiet authority, his dark hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp jawline and piercing silver eyes held an intensity that sent a strange heat curling in my stomach.

I had a weakness for handsome men.

And he was breathtaking.

“Dante,” my father’s voice pulled me from my trance, “Come forward.”

The man, Dante, stepped through the crowd, his gaze never leaving mine; there was something dangerous about the way he moved, controlled, powerful, like a predator sizing up his prey.

When he reached us, my father placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

“This is my Beta,” he said. “Dante has served this pack with unwavering loyalty; He is one of our strongest warriors and, more importantly, someone I trust with my life.”

I swallowed.

“Dante,” my father continued, his voice dropping into something more commanding, “My daughter has returned, thanks to you, and she is to be protected at all costs, I am entrusting her to you.”

His Beta?

The words sent a strange thrill through me.

Dante’s silver eyes flickered with something unreadable, then, he dropped to one knee, bowing his head.

“I swear it,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “I will protect her with my life, “he said boldly.

Oh, I liked the way he sounded, my lips curled into a slow smile as I met his gaze again. This must be the Beta who saved me from the Rouges.

My wolf purred, her voice clear in my mind. Yes. This one.

I didn’t believe in fate.

But I did believe in opportunity, and if I was going to get revenge, I needed an ally.

I had just found the perfect one.