Chapter 2 002: He Is Gone

Arianna's POV

The moment I stepped back into the penthouse, the air felt heavy.

Ethan’s scent still lingered—cedarwood and arrogance. Everything looked exactly the same as when I’d left for the ceremony: his jacket on the couch, the tie he never got to wear.

Everything was the same...

Except me.

I wasn’t the same girl who used to wait here for him to come home.

My heels clicked across the marble as I dragged out my suitcase.

The housekeeper looked at me and walked towards me. "Miss Ariana, should I…”

“Don’t,” I said flatly. “Not this time.”

I started grabbing my things... files, clothes. As I packed my things, my gaze turned to a framed photo from our trip to Santorini. The one where he’d said we looked like the moon’s chosen pair.

I laughed bitterly.

We’d been together for five years, and that was still the only photo we had framed.

When I reached his study, I froze. His tablet was sitting on the desk.

Ethan never left it unlocked, never even allowed me near it. He’d once told me, “Privacy is power, Ari.”

Yeah. I understood now—privacy was just another word for secrets.

I stared at the black screen, curiousity getting the better part of me, what is he hiding in here? I tried to unclock it, I tried his birthday... nothing. Mine. Still nothing.

"What could be his password?" I muttered as my hands hovered over the keypad.

A clue came to mind, but I hesitated—Clara’s birthday.

I put it in and with a click, the tablet opened.

My throat went dry.

The wallpaper was a photo of the two of them laughing at the beach, wind blowing through her hair, his arm draped around her waist.

Folder after folder filled the screen: “Training trip,” “London visit,” “Private.” Each one stuffed with photos—Clara in his car, Clara at his side, Clara asleep on a couch .

My hands shook so hard I almost dropped the tablet.

Five years together. Ten years of knowing him and this was what he kept—her.

Just one framed photo of us, hidden in a drawer, but hundreds of hers in his folders.

Lyra growled low inside me.

I exhaled slowly and shut the tablet.

Enough.

By the time I zipped my suitcase, it felt like my heart had already been packed with it too.

I wheeled it through the living room, past the couch where we’d planned our future, the windows that once reflected our promises.

The elevator doors opened with a chime, and I stepped inside without looking back.

When I reached the car, my phone rang—Ethan.

I ignored it.

Then came the message:

"Where did you go? I don’t care what kind of tantrum you’re throwing, Ariana. Tomorrow’s Grandfather’s birthday banquet and you’re attending with me."

A laugh escaped before I could stop it—short and cold.

I typed back:

"You skipped the wedding ceremony. Why should I play Luna for a man who can’t even show up?”

His reply came instantly. Suddenly he became responsive to my messages.

"Because Grandfather likes you. Don’t make a fool of me in front of him."

Oh, so that was it. Image. Face. The heir of the Hale Pack couldn’t have his fiancée disappear before the Alpha King’s banquet. He needed his perfect accessory polished and smiling.

I leaned back in my seat, an idea sparking in my mind.

“Fine,” I typed. “I’ll go but my appearance fee is one million dollars.”

It didn't take him hours to respond like he usually did, he responded with in seconds.

"Ariana, stop being ridiculous."

Truth was... I wasn't.

" No pay, no play. You can wire it to my account.”

There was another pause.

Then a notification popped up on my phone. Transaction received. 1,000,000 dollars.

“Pleasure doing business,” I murmured.

Lyra purred in satisfaction.

Truth was, I didn’t do it just for the money. His Grandfather, Old Alpha Rowan Hale—was the only one in that entire family who’d ever treated me like more than decoration. He’d helped me through school, advised me when I started my business, even called me the “future Luna he wished he could’ve chosen himself.”

I wouldn’t disrespect him by not showing up.

But making Ethan pay for my presence? That was just the bonus.

By the time I arrived at the Hale estate, the night had already swallowed the city.

The mansion glowed, it was filled with sleek cars, red carpets, guests in glittering designer gowns. The kind of luxury that looked perfect until you realized how much work it took to shine that bright.

I stepped out of the car, one heel first, my crimson dress clinging to my curves, the slit ran high enough to make people whisper, and that was the point.

For years I’d dressed to please Ethan’s taste—elegant, quiet and predictable but tonight, I dressed for me.

The guards at the door froze for half a second before bowing. "Miss Ariana.”

Inside, heads turned. I caught snippets of gasps, murmurs.

"She came after all..."

"Didn’t he ditch her yesterday?”

"Guess the show’s about to start.”

Good. Let them talk. The louder the crowd, the harder the fall for the Ethan.

Ethan stood near the grand staircase, his suit perfectly fitted, posture perfect.

It took a moment before his gaze landed on me, his eyes widened in surprise as soon as he saw me but he masked it immediately with his calm facade.

He walked up.

"You could’ve worn something less... distracting,” he said, his voice low.

"Relax,” I said lightly, brushing past him. "You wanted me here. I’m here, you didn’t say anything about my dress.”

He muttered something about behaving properly. I ignored him, gliding into the ballroom like I owned it.

That’s when Clara made her entrance. Soft pink gown, demure smile, the very picture of innocence. If I hadn’t seen her video, I might’ve believed the act.

She walked up and bent her head slightly.

"Ariana… about yesterday,” she said sweetly. “I didn’t know it was your wedding ceremony, I came back at the wrong time, and Ethan only wanted to make sure I was safe. Please don’t misunderstand.”

I tilted my head, smiling. "Don’t worry, I perfectly understand.”

Her smile faltered.

“Clara,” Ethan interjected, his tone protective. "You shouldn’t apologize, it's not your fault and you’re still recovering.”

My brow arched. “Recovering? From what—flying first class from London?”

His jaw tightened. “Ariana, enough. You didn’t confirm the ceremony time with me, remember? We agreed to move it.”

“What?” I blinked, genuinely flabbergasted.

He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "Grandfather and I decided to reschedule it for the end of next month, don’t cause a scene here.”

I laughed softly, disbelief mixing with fury. “Reschedule? You ghost me on our wedding day, and now you want a do-over?”

"Keep your voice down,” he hissed. "My uncle, the Alpha King is going to be here tonight. You’ll embarrass us both.”

"You want me to smile for your family after everything you did?”

"Just cooperate okay? We’ll fix this later, we can do the mating ceremony some other time,” he muttered.

I nodded. “Sure but you’ll need to find yourself a new bride first.”

His eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

"It means,” I said, stepping closer. "you and your precious Clara make the perfect pair. So go ahead...have her walk the aisle instead.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “Ariana, that’s not fair—”

“Oh, sweetheart,” I cut her off, tone dripping with mock sympathy. “Fairness left the room when you climbed into my fiancé’s bed.”

A sharp gasp rippled through the crowd nearby.

Ethan’s expression hardened. "Watch your mouth.”

"No,” I said simply. " Watch yours. You’re not my mate anymore.”

"Don't listen to her Ethan," Clara mumbled as she attempted to hold to Ethan's hands.

I had expected him to hold her in an embrace but instead he pushed her hands away, his eyes blazing with fury.

He grabbed my hands aggressively.

"How dare you?"