Chapter 14

ELIZA’S POV My heels clicked across the tiled floor as I entered the damned building once more. My last home in the Crescent Moon Pack. Yes, I had come back to fulfill some rites and although it was needed, I couldn’t fully say that I wanted to be here. I walked through the lobby, getting some looks and or greeting from some of the staff that passed. I was about to make my way to the guest room when one of the staff walked up to me, her head bowed in respect. “Luna, uh, I mean…” She stuttered, not really sure what to call me again when the news of my annulment from the Alpha had spread far and wide in the pack. “Eliza will do.” I informed her, not wanting to put her in such a difficult situation. She seemed to calm down with my words and looked up at me. “Alpha Derek’s mother, Mrs. Diana, wishes to see you in her chambers.” She told me. “Now?” I asked her, frustrated that I was being summoned when I just got here. The woman gave me a nod that made me frown. “Very well then. Can you help me drop this in a room?” I asked while handing her the bag I brought with me. She took it without hesitation, gave me one last bow and then slinked off into the mansion to do what I asked. With that taken care of, I head over to Diana’s room, not expecting anyone but her to be in it. I get to the door and walk into the room, mentally preparing myself to speak with her when my eyes land on Ardan. A small smile crawled onto my lips but that abruptly stopped when I scanned the room and saw the rest of the people who were in there also. The tension in Diana's room was thick enough to cut with a knife as soon as their eyes landed on me. I stood near the doorway, taking in the scene before me – Diana propped up in bed, Derek hovering protectively nearby, and Maya positioned strategically between them all. The smell of Ardan's healing herbs still lingered in the air. Like I expected they shot glares at me but I shrugged them off. "So, I was summoned.” I broke the silence, taking two steps closer to them. “What’s the problem?” Diana shifted uncomfortably in her bed, her wince evident. "He's being unreasonable.” She looked at Ardan, “The fees he's demanding…" she trailed off and I immediately understood why she’d called me. Ardan’s payment. But how was that any of my concern? "Are exactly what we agreed upon when I was paying for your treatment," I finished Diana’s last sentence, my voice cool. "And exactly what you agreed to pay." I reminded her. "The pack's finances are strained," Derek cut in. "You of all people should understand that." I chuckled, not being able to suppress my laughter. "Strained? After all the revenue streams I established? After the connections I brought? You bragged about the pack having so much money. What stops you from paying such a paltry sum for your mother’s health? I asked him, folding my hands in amusement. When he didn’t say a word, I shook my head. "Your incompetence is showing." I muttered. "Watch your tone," Derek growled, getting off the bed and taking a step forward. "You forget yourself. The financial auditor will be here any minute, and your arrogance isn't helping your case." Maya stepped forward, her face a perfect mask of concerned sympathy even when we all knew it was a facade. "Eliza, dear," she said, her voice honey-sweet, "perhaps you should apologize. After all, we're trying to be fair here." She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "If you show the right attitude, we might even be generous during the settlement. You'll need funds to rebuild the Silver Moon Pack, won't you?" From the corner, a servant bobbed her head enthusiastically, a bright look in her eyes. "Our new Luna is so kind," she gushed. "So considerate of others, even in difficult times." "Such a magnificent Luna," another servant chimed in. "Always thinking of others." They both fawned over her, causing Maya to fo beet red in a blush. I was saved from responding to the stupid remarks by a knock at the door. The financial auditor, a sharp-featured man in a crisp suit, entered with a briefcase in hand, the glasses on his face making him look like a no-nonsense man. “Good day.” He started, glancing at his pocket watch. “I’m here to review the pack’s financial records.” He announced, not caring enough to read the room and ask what was going on. He always did this. He always came in to do his job and then left when he was done. I didn’t see the harm in it. Derek cleared his throat, his grimace from before disappearing. "Unfortunately, the books are currently unavailable. We're in the middle of our annual audit, you see and the records are not in the mansion." He said, spitting out the obvious lie. "How convenient," I said, a smile playing on my lips. I turned to the auditor, making my play. "While we wait for those mysteriously unavailable books to become available again, perhaps you'd like to review my personal assets?" I pulled out a tablet from my handbag and turned it on. "I have everything documented here." "Eliza," Diana warned, her voice frail but I ignored her and continued. "First, there's my father's collection of rare herbs – several species are extinct now, making them invaluable. Then we have the collectibles: ceremonial weapons, historical artifacts, first edition books." I swiped through documents on my tablet. "And of course, my shares in four luxury hotels, all performing excellently." I stated, ready to get into the more detailed assets when Derek interrupted me, his face reddening. "Those aren't your personal assets. They belong to the pack. You gifted them years ago." He spoke up. Diana nodded vigorously, backing him up. "Everything you bought became pack property. You know this, Eliza." I felt my wolf stirring, rage building at their audacity, but I kept my voice steady. "Is that so?" I turned back to the auditor. "I have documentation for everything I've mentioned – original ownership papers, transfer records, current valuations. Would you like to see them?" The auditor looked between us before he nodded. "This is ridiculous," Maya protested. "Derek, tell her—" "Everything I own," I continued, speaking over Maya, "has been meticulously tracked and documented. Every item, every share, every transaction." I met Derek's eyes. “And since you aren’t ready to accept that,” I continued, watching their faces twist, “I’ll gladly show my proof of ownership.”