Chapter 3

Elena's POV

The world seemed to tilt beneath my feet. "Richard is here?"

"You know him?" Morgan looked surprised.

"I—" My voice caught. "Morgan, I can't help him. I need to go."

"Elena, please. His condition is deteriorating. By nightfall, he'll lose control completely."

"Good," I spat, backing away. "Let him suffer."

Morgan stared at me, shocked by my vehemence. "What happened between you two?"

"Six years ago, with the help of my friends, I faked my death and escaped him with two other children," I said passionately. "He betrayed me, bringing another woman to my face while I was pregnant."

I told Morgan what happened that night, and her expression grew increasingly angry as I poured out my story.

"My God," Morgan gasped. "What a bastard."

"Now you understand why I won't help him." I leaned against the wall. "I cursed him that night... I never thought it would actually work."

"He brought it on himself," Morgan said angrily.

Behind us, a slight gasp came from around the corner. Morgan and I both turned to see a woman walking away. A strong perfume scent lingered in the air.

"Who was that?" I hissed.

"Probably his assistant," Morgan said. "She brought some food earlier."

A chill ran down my spine. There was something familiar about that figure—dangerously familiar.

Victoria's POV

I clutched the bag of food, my heart racing as I ran outside. Elena alive? Impossible! My mind whirled with shock and calculation.

Though I hadn't seen her, I couldn't mistake that voice. The woman who was supposed to be dead.

Memory returned to that night.

I watched Richard pacing back and forth in the hallway outside the delivery room, each step filled with undisguised anxiety. The hospital's antiseptic smell irritated my nose, but what I smelled more was the agitation emanating from him.

"Calm down, Richard. The doctors are doing everything they can." I reached out to touch his arm, trying to offer comfort. Medical staff hurried up and down the hallway, the tense atmosphere making my heart race, not from concern, but from fear.

I was afraid he would choose to abandon me because of her children.

"Shut up," he snapped at me, jerking his arm away.

I felt a sting, his attitude toward me not as gentle as usual. Even at this moment, he only had eyes for Elena. I widened my eyes, feigning hurt.

"I just wanted to—"

"I said shut your mouth!"

His eyes flashed gold, a sign his wolf was about to emerge. I could feel the air around him becoming tense with suppressed fury.

I immediately lowered my head, the instinctive response of every pack member facing an angry Alpha. But beneath my lowered gaze, my thoughts were churning, filled with things I never dared say aloud.

Die in there, Elena Winter. Die and let me take your place as Luna of the Nightfall pack. Richard will forget you ever existed.

My lips almost curved upward at the thought, but I controlled myself. Now wasn't the time. I had to act like a concerned friend.

Gerald and Riley paced in the hospital waiting room, their bodies tense with anxiety. Riley sat rigidly in her chair, her hands clasped so tightly her knuckles turned white.

When the doctor finally appeared, surgical mask pulled down, expression grave, they knew before she spoke.

"I'm very sorry," she said softly. "We did everything we could, but she lost too much blood. We couldn't save her."

Riley let out a piercing wail that echoed down the hallway.

"The children?" Gerald asked, his voice hollow.

"We saved only one girl. She's weak and needs constant monitoring. The others..." the doctor shook her head.

Riley collapsed in her husband's arms, fainting from grief.

His hands clenched so tightly they cracked, jaw rigid, standing there staring at the delivery room.

In that moment, I knew—Elena was dead.

I looked at him, already planning in my mind. Elena was gone. Only one pup remained—a little girl I could raise as my own. And Richard needed comfort, support, a new mate.

I would give him time to mourn. I would be attentive, caring, indispensable. Then, when the time was right, I would become the new Luna of the Nightfall pack. Elena Winter would soon be the past, and I, Victoria, would be Richard's future.

Rapid footsteps interrupted my memories.

Elena came out of the clinic and drove away.

Seeing her figure, I could barely contain my anger.

For six years, Richard had let me move into his house. But he never formally married me. I took care of that silent, sullen child for him... while this bitch was hiding here.

Why couldn't she have just died there.

My lips curved into a cold smile. Though Elena was still alive, this was also an opportunity I couldn't have dreamed of. Richard need never know his dead wife was still alive.

If his child and Elena both had an accident, he would have no choice but to move on. With me. We would have our own children.

I straightened my blouse, composing my features before heading toward Richard's room.

"Where have you been?" he asked, his voice low with fatigue.

"Just getting some food, darling." I answered softly, placing the bag on the table beside the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"My wolf is still as restless as ever," he groaned before changing the subject. "How's Kathy today? Is she adjusting to the new school?"

Always Kathy. Always that child. I rolled my eyes internally, but outwardly displayed a warm smile.

"She's doing well," I lied smoothly. "The teacher says she's very intelligent, though a bit quiet."

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" he asked, clearly more concerned about his daughter than his own health.

"I'll take her to school, then come see you." I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling out a hair clip. "I bought this for her, it suits her perfectly."

Richard nodded in approval, and I struggled not to let my disgust show on my face. For six years, I've been trying to win this child's affection, but she always looks at me with those cold eyes, just like her damn mother.

"I want to meet Kathy's teacher tomorrow," Richard suddenly said.

"Your condition won't allow—"

"Arrange it," he interrupted, his tone brooking no argument.

I bit my lip, suppressing the sarcasm about to escape. Why couldn't he focus completely on me? Why was it always that annoying brat occupying his heart? If Elena hadn't given birth to the child, I would already be the Luna of the Nightfall pack.

"Of course, darling." I smiled, my fingers gently stroking his arm. "I'll arrange everything."

I watched him close his eyes wearily, inwardly calculating my plan. Now that I knew Elena was alive ... perhaps I finally had a chance to solve this problem completely.