Chapter 8

ELIZA’S POV I hadn't expected to run into Derek and Maya at all. The mall had always been somewhat my sanctuary—a place where I could analyze business operations, browse quietly, and momentarily escape. It was a place of peace especially since I knew that Derek wouldn’t ever set foot in the place. However, it turned out today I was wrong. When they appeared, I chose to ignore them first. My mother had always taught me that dignity was a weapon more powerful than any harsh words. But Maya, it seemed, didn’t learn such a lesson while growing up because her shrill voice called out to me. "Look who's here," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice. “I didn’t think that you had enough money to shop in a place like this Eliza especially with the divorce so close at hand.” Maya jeered, thinking that she had landed a hit to my ego. I still ignored her, dropping the purse in my hand and reaching for another item to check the quality. It seemed like my lack of attention angered Derek because he lashed out. “Can’t you see us speaking to you woman? Answer us or face the consequences of your defiance. Do well to remember that I am still your Alpha. I could have you thrown into a cell in an hour.” Derek threatened, his foolish pride getting the best of him. Maya scoffed, her voice even harsher than before. "I think she does need to spend a night in the cells. After all, the parasite knows nothing but how to indulge herself with your family’s hard earned money no less. Can’t you be less of a thief Eliza? This behavior isn’t fit for a Luna of a pack." I turned to them slowly, meeting her gaze with a calm that seemed to unsettle her. I was planning on ignoring them but I was not going to stand back and publicly be called a thief when the money and everything that belonged in the shop was mine. I was not going to be degraded like that. "Interesting accusation," I replied evenly, "considering every single expense of the Crescent Moon Pack has come directly from my personal accounts." I spat back at her, my eyes narrowing. "You're bluffing." Derek harrumphed, not believing my words. "Am I?" I raised an eyebrow, turning to him. If he wanted to play that game then I would play along. "Shall we test that?" I asked him, a small smile creeping onto my face as I knew the outcome of that question. There were eyes on us now. Attention that I welcomed when I knew that Derek was going to lose this. With a glare at me Derek turned to Maya and spoke. “Pick out something you like, babe. The more expensive the better.” Maya grinned like a child and picked up one of the designer purses next to us, her eyes gleaming with greed. The bag had a half a million dollar tag on it. Maya showed the bag to Derek who nodded in approval. “Nice choice my love.” He told her before he waved over the cashier. The lady came over, ready to assist in whatever they needed. “Here.” Derek said as he pulled out his credit card to purchase the purse. “I want to pay for the bag.” He mentioned before handing the card over to her. With a small bow the cashier left with the card and the purse, ready to make the transaction. Once she was gone, Derek turned back to me. “Did you see that? I just paid for a purse that costs half a million dollars. So, the next time you tell me that you aren’t spending my wealth, rethink that.” He spat at me, smirking. “Oh, but the cashier isn’t back yet.” I pointed out, my fingers tracing the hem of the purse in my hand in anticipation. Derek raised a brow confused by my words but he would understand soon enough. In no time the cashier returned and Derek’s face became a mixture of confusion and growing embarrassment,m when she spoke. "I'm sorry, sir," the cashier said as she handed Derek back his card,, "but the card has been declined. Insufficient funds." Maya's face fell as she stopped twirling her hair. Derek's complexion turned several shades paler. "How—" he started, but I cut him off, noticing that he was about to blow a gasket in my place of business and I couldn’t have that. I didn’t need his arrogance scaring away my clients. "Your military salary barely covers a fraction of our monthly expenses," I explained, my voice sharp and detached. "Every luxury you've enjoyed has been funded by me.” Maya opened her mouth to speak but I cut her off also. I was speaking. She needed to shut the hell up. “You didn’t think that I was also taking care of your mother on the measly salary that you sent back home every month. I built this empire from the ground up with my money. The wealth that you brag about is nothing but a fantasy that you can only dream of having. You and your new Luna need to learn your place.” I said to Derek, my eyes flitting to Maya at the last second. Derek, desperate and humiliated no doubt, ignored me and turned to the cashier, demanding that the mall cover his expenses. “Do you know who I am? I am the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack and I know for sure that this establishment is in the name of my pack. I demand that my expenses here be covered by the management.” He shouted, trying to save face from all the people who were now watching us. "This establishment is her private property," the manager said, coming out to handle the situation. He nodded respectfully towards me as he took a stance. "It has nothing to do with the Crescent Moon Pack." Maya's fury was immediate upon seeing the smug smile I sent her way. "We'll report this to the Lycan King!" she screamed at me. "She cannot receive any assets!" Derek joined her, not believing that for the first time, he couldn’t get what he wanted. "She failed to bear me an heir," he proclaimed to everyone around, invoking Clause 7 of the Lycan Marriage Decree—a pathetic attempt to strip me of everything I'd worked for. A plan that wouldn’t work. Derek and Maya didn't know the investments I'd made, the financial empire I'd quietly built while they were busy frolicking together and plotting against me. I'd been underestimated my entire life. By my unfortunate husband. By his new lover. By my mother-in-law. By those who thought a Luna was just a decorative title. They were about to learn differently. Derek and Maya represented everything I despised in our Lycan society—those who believed power was only measured by physical strength, by military achievements. They didn't understand that true power resided in intellect, in strategy, in the ability to build and maintain the pack. "Go ahead," I told them, my voice calm. "Report this to the Lycan King. I welcome the opportunity to demonstrate exactly how I've supported not just our pack, but numerous charitable initiatives that Derek knows nothing about. The king will see that I am the true head of the Silver Moon Pack and not some overzealous numbskull with the title of Alpha." As soon as the words left my mouth, Maya's face became a canvas of rage and Derek looked shell-shocked. The shoppers around us had gone silent, witnessing this very public dismantling of my ex-husband's ego. I turned to the manger, handing him the purse in my hand. “Use my company card to pay for this. Oh, and that purse also.” I gestured to the purse that Maya and Derek were itching to buy. “Send them to my hotel room when you’re done.” I ordered the manager who gave me a nod before walking off. “You bitch!” Derek exclaimed as his hands balled into fists. His eyes darkened and I heard a growl come from him but I was past that now. I wasn’t scared of him. I had publicly put him in his place and I was just getting started. I didn’t need to exchange words with him now. Plus, he wouldn’t do more damage to his image by hurting me here. As I turned to leave, I caught the admiring glances of several women nearby. They understood. Power wasn't about shouting the loudest. It was about knowing your worth. And I knew mine and I’d be damned if I didn’t flaunt it any way I could.