Rowena's POV 

Springtime? 

Is Apex dating someone? 

Apex nods at me, his beautiful lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes are void of feeling as he turns around and leaves the restaurant. My shoulders slump, watching him disappear out of the door.

Oh, Moon Goddess, why can't Apex see me for the woman I am? We've been friends since we were kids. I was nine the first time we met while playing war games. He instructed me to call nine-one-one while he fought with the enemy.

My mind went blank at the time because I couldn't believe such a hot guy had noticed me. So, I said the first thing that came to mind, "What is the number to nine-one-one?"

He looked at me like I was dumb. Our second encounter didn't make me look any brighter. Soon, I realized that Apex saw me as just some goofy kid. 

Anger races through me now. I turn, ready to lash out. 

"Who were you two talking about, Farran?" I demand.

He sighs, shoving his hands in his pants pockets and lazily shrugging. "I don't know."

I ball my fist, punching him in the chest. "Don't lie to me!"

"Thank you, Rowena," he says, rolling his eyes. "You constantly remind me why I dumped you."

I wince, stepping back. Farran and I had a brief romance a few years ago when he became Fontaine's new Alpha. I thought he would choose me as a Luna. However, he is a playboy who likes his women human, not shifters.

Whatever, it was his loss. I could find another pack to rule. In fact, I was working on it already.

"The only reason why you dumped me is because you're a confirmed bachelor," I retort, pointing at myself. "I did everything right."

"Everything right…" He laughs. "It wasn't a Luna contest, Rowena."

I cross my arms over my chest, raising my eyebrow. "So, you're gay. I can see that you're a terrible lover."

Farran slaps his hands together like he wants to throw a punch. He points at me, looking pissed.

Throwing my head back, I cackle, knowing I hit a nerve. No, he's not gay, but it's fun to say in public. Maybe one of those tabloids will hear it and put it in the rumor section. I can envision the headline:" New York's Most Eligible Bachelor, Tech Entrepreneur Farran Fontaine is Gay, Per Ex-Lover's Account."

"You know what, Rowena?" He glares at me. "I let you think that I wasn't into you. The sad fact is that you push men away by all that talk of changing the shifter world. You want to expand the rules to allow women to be Alphas."

"Women should be Alphas, Farran," I whine, stomping my left foot. "I'm intelligent, strong, I can beat any Alpha, even you, and I know how to lead a pack. Why should I play the backup role as Luna?"

"Rowena…"

"No, Lunas are glorified housewives with a personal assistant. Why the f*ck would I want to plan charity events?"

Farran gives me a warning look. "You are a nasty, insufferable tart, Rowena. You are not in my pack, but will respect me as an Alpha. Do you hear me?"

I roll my eyes, sighing. "I don't care what you think, Farran. I will make a great female Alpha one day, without needing a man."

"Your pack is dead, Rowena. As soon as you marry Apex, the Maldonado pack disappears, and you will serve as Apex's Luna at his pleasure," Farran hisses, moving out of the way for a couple walking past.

"I will not." I shake my head, showing my frustration. "No, power has no gender."

"Think, Rowena, you're rushing around flattering Thunder and using him in your favor while chasing after Apex to worm your way into the pack and take over. You don’t know what you’re doing, so it's not going to work. Rules are rules for a reason," he tells me. 

Anger gets the best of me. I curl my hand into a fist to stop myself from slapping him. Slowly, I inhale. His sugary spice scent used to thrill me. Now, it's gross.

Suddenly, a scheme pops into my mind. I press my palms against his chest, forcing a sultry smile. Farran's wrong. I'll marry Apex and set my plan in motion.

For now, I cock my head to the right, pretending that I am going to kiss him. "Farran, sugar, tell me who's trying to take Apex's heart from me."

Farran lets out a nasty laugh. "Maybe Apex is right, Rowena. You learn slowly. Goodbye." 

He moves past me, brushing my shoulder on his way out.

I stare at the floor, biting the inside of my cheek. What if Apex is interested in someone else? What if I’m losing him and my opportunity?

Before Dad died, he planned to create the pact with Thunder long enough to attack his pack. He pledged me as collateral. However, things didn’t work out because Dad died. 

Truth is, I’m not interested in Dad's plan. 

Control. I want it.

I can be Apex’s Luna. It's the easiest way to gain control and power over a pack. Maybe I will kill Apex one day and assume the packs.

I smirk. 

The host approaches me, and I step in front of her. "I was here to meet Apex Capo. Could I speak to the waitress who served him?" I bluffed.

The host stares at me before excitedly saying, "Oh, I know you! You're currently part of the musical on Broadway…um, the one about the flying nun."

My face feels flushed. I never get tired of this moment. 

I point at Apex's empty table. "The waitress?" I press, ignoring her remark.

"Yeah, oh," the host says. "Um, she left. Sorry.”

I repeatedly tap my nails together, thinking. “Were you around when he arrived? Did he say anything? Was he talking to someone, maybe on the phone?”

“Oh, yes. Um, I showed Mr. Capo to his table,” the host pauses, flashing a sympathetic smile. “I cannot divulge any details about our patrons. Sorry.”

“How about this?” I say, opening my purse. I pull a few bills out, putting them in the host’s hand. “I'm sure this will smooth things over if your boss finds out.”

The host doesn't take the cash.

F*ck. 

I warmly smile, trying not to show my frustration and putting the money in my purse. I retrieve my phone, saying, “How would four tickets to the front row of a Broadway show sound?”

I extend my phone to the host. “Text me the show and I will have the tickets at the window. Now, spill.”

The host glances from me to the phone with an agonizing expression. “There's a show I have wanted to see for a while…”

The host snatches the phone while pushing buttons on my phone. “All I know is that he's meeting someone at MoMa on Friday."

My heart sinks. However, I flash her a cheerful smile. 

Who is the woman attempting to ruin my plans?