Luna's Payback: Claiming My Fate!

54:

By the time Angelo returned to the mansion, he couldn't stop smiling. It was as if he was walking on air, feeling like he had wings. He felt as though he'd accomplished so much tonight, and he could already envision a "better" future for himself.

"Sorry, Chloe. I really thought you were my best option. Turns out, you're not. I found someone even better for me—a bigger fish to catch. Tough luck for you," he thought to himself, grinning.

He lived in the mansion he had bought for his family. He didn’t want to be separated from them because, for him, family is love. As for the small house he shared with his former human wife, he never set foot in it again. There was nothing special there, and there weren’t many things inside anyway. He was considering selling it since no one would live there now.

He preferred living where their wealth and power were visible—right in the heart of the Midnight Fall Pack. His family had truly come a long way. From squeezing into one small room, they now lived in a vast mansion where each of them had their own room.

Of course, he didn’t achieve all of this through hard work, sweat, blood, and perseverance. He didn’t believe in that. That was just something poor people said to excuse why they were still poor. If you truly wanted to get rich and succeed in life, you had to be smart and outwit others. He didn’t believe in karma because if karma were real, then everyone who had done wrong would have already been punished.

If he hadn’t done what he needed to do, they wouldn’t be in this situation. If he had to kill, he would. He despised being poor and never wanted to return to the mud they once came from.

That’s why, after he killed his annoying human wife, he started living in the mansion. He belonged there, in a luxurious and beautiful palace. He didn’t even notice his sister Anne standing beside him. He was in the living area, resting, sitting on the soft sofa.

It was late at night, and everyone in the mansion was asleep, so he didn’t expect Anne to still be awake. "You seem pretty happy tonight, big brother. Did everything go well with Chloe?" she asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

His family knew all about his plans, including his intentions with Chloe Aura, who was among the few wealthy women in the Midnight Fall Pack. They were well aware of his plan to use her, and they fully supported him because they never wanted to be poor again, especially their mother. If they could have amnesia and erase the memories of anyone who knew them when they were poor, they would.

That’s why they had cut ties with all their old friends and acquaintances. They weren’t on the same level anymore, and their circle of friends had to change. Now, they only associated with the wealthy, businessmen, and elites.

"Why are you still awake? It’s late," he replied, instead of answering her question.

Anne raised an eyebrow as she looked at him. "Seriously, big bro? You think I could sleep, knowing today was a special event for you? I’m itching to know what happened with you and Chloe. Does it look like you're close to getting her sweet 'yes'?" she asked eagerly, hoping for good news.

He put an arm around her and pulled her closer. “Anne, there’s something you need to know.”

“What?”

“I’ve got a change of plans.”

“You mean?”

“I’m not pursuing Chloe anymore.”

Angelo could see her eyes widen in shock, her face showing clear disapproval. “What? Big brother! What kind of nonsense is this? Why aren’t you continuing? Don’t tell me you’re feeling guilty? Don’t! Chloe won’t lose anything from this! Your wealth will combine once you marry her. Plus, our friendship will be ruined! I like Chloe for you, she’s nice. She always gives me branded bags and shoes! And guess what? She just gave me a bottle of Jacob Falcovsky perfume! Do you know how much that tiny bottle costs? What if she takes back everything she’s given me? You can’t do this!” She stomped her foot like a child, utterly frustrated.

He laughed. “Anne, relax…”

She brushed his hand off her shoulder. She was really furious. “Relax?! How can I f*****g relax when you want to back out? Come on, big bro! You know you won’t find anyone like Chloe again! Did you hit your head somewhere and suddenly feel guilty? Or are you actually in love with Chloe, is that why you’re acting like this?”

This time, he couldn’t stop himself from laughing like a demon. Him? In love with Chloe? That would never happen. Other than his mother and sister, women were nothing but foolish creatures to him—whether they were she-wolves or humans. They were all the same. He didn’t love Chloe, nor would he ever love any woman that came into his life. The only thing that mattered to him were the benefits he could gain from them.

Well, there was one person he loved…

“You know that’s impossible, Anne. And can you let me finish talking before you react like that? You don’t need to worry about Chloe. I’ll take care of her. I don’t need her anymore.”

“I’m telling Mom! You’ve gone crazy, big brother!”

He shook her body to snap her back to her senses. “Go ahead, tell her. She’ll probably be thrilled.”

“W-What do you mean…?”

He gave her a wide grin, one that looked almost devilish. “Because I’ve found a bigger fish than Chloe. So, I don’t need her anymore.”

He heard Anne gasp in front of him.

“B-Bigger fish? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Angelo shrugged and sat back on the soft sofa like a king. “It’s simple. At the party, I saw a woman who’s more deserving of me. She’s beautiful. Well, she was wearing a mask, but I’m certain she’s gorgeous underneath it.”

Anne rolled her eyes at what she heard. “Just beauty?”

“Shut up and listen to me. She’s the kind of beautiful that suits me. Classy and sophisticated. You can tell she’s from a wealthy family, one that won’t go bankrupt even after decades. And do you know she was wearing the most expensive jewelry I’ve ever seen or heard of in my entire life? The necklace alone she was wearing is almost eighty-five percent of Aura’s shares combined. So just imagine how rich that woman is,” he explained like an older brother trying to drill a point into his sister’s head.

Anne was calming down slightly but still not completely. “H-How much was her necklace?”

Angelo smirked and gave her a command. “Do you have your phone with you? Search for ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ on the internet.”

She followed his instructions and searched it on her phone. He saw how her jaw dropped when she found the image.

“That’s exactly the reaction of the guests at the party when they noticed the woman wearing that necklace. It’s a real diamond surrounded by pearls. And that diamond isn’t something you come across every day. Did you know that necklace is one of a kind in the world? The party host said that necklace alone costs $5.4 million dollars!”

Anne’s jaw trembled as she spoke. “Oh my goodness… $5.4 million dollars!”

They were already wealthy, but there was no way they could ever afford such an extravagant piece of jewelry.

“And I’m sure that’s not even the final price. Every year, its value increases. That’s just the starting point. So, if her jewelry alone is worth that much, imagine how many cars, properties, businesses, investments, and savings she must have.”

Anne’s eyes practically turned into dollar signs, and now she understood what her big brother was getting at. She smiled and nodded. “Well, I know you know what you’re doing. You’re right; it’s better to target this woman. I’ll take care of Chloe.”

Her mood shifted so quickly. He ruffled his sister’s hair. “Thanks for understanding. You know I’ll do anything for our family, right?”

Anne knew that, which made her so thankful to have a big brother like Angelo. “She’s not a pure-blooded human, right? Or a hybrid? You know, you made a mistake once with that pest Veronica. We don’t want that happening again.”

He grinned widely. “Of course. There’s nothing to worry about. That woman is definitely a pure-blooded wolf like us. Actually, her scent is different from a normal she-wolf. She smells powerful and elegant. Like someone who commands respect. I’ve never smelled a scent like hers before. But I assure you, she’s just like us.”

Anne let out a sigh of relief. “Well, if her scent is different, maybe it’s because she’s not just an ordinary pack member. She might be one of the candidates to become the Luna of their Alpha? Especially since you said she’s beautiful, elegant, and rich.”

Angelo’s heart raced with anxiety. Anne had a point. What if the woman was already bound to the Alpha King of her pack? It would be impossible for her not to be noticed; she stood out in a crowd.

“You’re not from the same pack. Naturally, if she’s looking for a mate, it’ll be from her own pack. And if an Alpha King is interested in her, what chance do you have? Even though we’re wealthy, you’re still just a Warrior in our pack. I’m just telling the truth, big bro.”

He clenched his fists. The memory of the man with her at the party flashed in his mind. He wouldn’t allow her to slip away. He had to get the ruby bracelet back from Chloe and give it to her. He was holding onto that hope.

“She gave me a chance. We’re meeting again at the Governor’s birthday party. I believe she’ll like me and choose me. Why wouldn’t she? There’s nothing about me that isn’t desirable,” he arrogantly declared, and his sister eagerly agreed.

“You’re right. Any woman who catches your interest is incredibly lucky. They should consider themselves blessed,” Anne replied, equally deluded.

Angelo relaxed and smiled. Tomorrow, he had to retrieve the bracelet from Chloe. He didn’t care if they pulled out of the company. He would recover that money once the mysterious woman’s wealth was his.

“Thanks for believing in me, Anne. You know I’m doing this for our family. You know how much I love you all, right?”

His sister was about to respond when they heard a loud thud behind them. Angelo also caught a familiar scent. When they both turned around, they saw Allen glaring at them, his eyes filled with anger.

“Love? You don’t love your family, because you don’t know how to love, Angelo. The only person you love is yourself.” Allen’s eyes were sharp and unforgiving.

Anne shot to her feet, furious and shocked. “You’re eavesdropping on a conversation that doesn’t involve you, just because you’re never included in family matters! That’s why you’re such an attention-seeker!”

“I think you’re talking about yourselves,” Allen fired back, his gaze locking on his older sister. “And you, big brother. You’ve got some nerve, don’t you? I don’t know where you get that audacity. You’re thinking of chasing after another woman, while your wife is missing. Tell me the truth—do you have something to do with Veronica’s disappearance?” Allen’s bold question made Angelo’s heart pound in his chest.