Rejecting My Fated Mate After His Mother Paid Me

Leo’s shining star is back in town.

Madeline, the formidable Luna of the Jensen Pack, hands me a check, her expression cold and unyielding.

“The real deal has returned, so you, the knock-off, should step aside.” Her tone is sharp, the authority of a Luna cutting through the air. “A million dollars. Leave my son.”

I stare at the check, my eyebrows knitting together. My wolf stirs faintly in the back of my mind, a quiet whisper of unease, but I push it down. This is not the time for her to voice her concerns.

Madeline’s lips tighten, her gaze narrowing. “What? Not enough? Two million. Leave my son!” Her voice rises, the command of an Alpha’s mate pressing down on me, but I hold my ground.

I suck in a sharp breath, feigning hesitation. “Three million. If that’s not enough, then—”

“Fine! I’ll leave.” I cut her off, deciding to seize the moment. Honestly, a million would have been more than enough, but who would’ve guessed Madeline would keep upping the ante?

Madeline’s scowl deepens, her face showing exactly what she thinks of me: greedy and predictable.

“As you wish, I can pack up and leave today! But I have two conditions.” I keep my voice steady, though my wolf growls softly, reminding me of the stakes.

Madeline waves a hand impatiently, her rings glinting in the light. “Speak.”

“First, no checks. I only accept a wire transfer.” I pause, meeting her gaze. “Second, concerning this transfer, we need to sign a gift contract and have it notarized.”

No sooner did I finish speaking than Madeline exhaled a sigh of relief and made a quick call. Two minutes later, Benson Ruiz, the pack’s legal advisor, arrives with the contract in hand.

I carefully review the gift contract, just as the lawyer instructed me last night. Satisfied with the terms, I nod and sign. Anticipating this meeting, I’d reserved the café next to the notary’s office at Madeline’s invitation yesterday. As a result, the notarization is completed swiftly.

Once everything is settled, my phone chimes happily. Three million dollars have been deposited into my bank account! That’s the Jensen efficiency for you!

***

I cheerfully wave goodbye to Madeline, though she ignores me, her back rigid with disdain. After watching her leave, I dash to the tax office. Paying taxes is every citizen’s duty, and I’m not about to let the pack’s accountants come after me for evasion.

After settling the taxes, I glance at my bank account balance. The taxes were a hit, but my red scarf feels even more vibrant! With my head held high, I stride out of the tax office, with the staff waving goodbye. It’s almost like they’re saying, “See you next time.”

Just as my left foot steps out of the tax office, my phone rings at the perfect moment.

“Hello, Miss Holmes…” Ah, my airport transfer has arrived.

I, Maggie Holmes, keep my word; I promised Madeline I’d leave today and I won’t drag it out until tomorrow! From booking a first-class ticket to getting through airport security and boarding, everything goes without a hitch. This gives me time to finally check WhatsApp, and the plane is already cruising steadily.

Leo’s messages stand out—[Ask Auntie to prepare a room; Isabella will be staying tonight.]

Um, that was two hours ago. There are two more messages below, sent an hour and half an hour ago, respectively—[?] [Maggie, what’s your deal now?]

Me: ? I’ve just been busy cashing out from your mom and making my exit, overlooked my phone. But suddenly my heart sinks! Leo plans to bring Isabella home to stay?! Wouldn’t that mean he’d discover I’m not there? And the current “bare bones” situation at the house?!

After learning last week that Leo’s first mate, Isabella Shaw, had returned, I haven’t just been sitting around. While Leo was picking Isabella up from the airport, I was reaching out to luxury resellers. As Leo took Isabella to various high-end events, I was appraising and selling jewelry. When Leo announced Isabella’s new role at Jensen Pack, I was already liquidating my assets in this city.

Including the moment Madeline bought me out, shelling out cash to make me leave her son. Before all this, I sought legal advice on how to obtain this income legally and securely. After all, I knew Isabella left Leo back then thanks to Madeline’s generous payout. Madeline never imagined that after Isabella, Leo would find someone she despised even more—me.

With me as the foil, now that Isabella is back, Madeline seems more accepting of her. It just comes at my expense. Leo’s heart isn’t with me, and his Luna is buying me out. I can only leave with my “modest fortune,” quietly exiting stage left.