Dear Mate, You're Mine！

What is your relationship?

IRENE'S POV

After meeting with Leon to form an alliance against Matthew, I felt an unprecedented sense of relief. The burden of betrayal and heartbreak had weighed me down very much, and the thought of taking Matthew down brought a flicker of hope back into my life. As I walked away from Leon, I couldn't help but feel a cautious optimism. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to turn in my favor.

Back home, however, the sense of relief was quickly replaced by a deep loneliness. I sat on the couch, staring at the walls that had once enclosed a home filled with love and warmth. Now, they felt like the walls of a prison, confining me in my solitary existence. I ran my fingers over the couch's fabric, still warm from the memories of Matthew's presence. But those memories had been tainted, their warmth turned cold by his betrayal.

Thinking about it alone makes me hurt that I wished I never even thought of it again. But us it possible? Then, I rerouted my thoughts. Leon!

I couldn't shake the image of Leon from my mind. His intense gaze, the way he listened to my proposal with suspicion and empathy—it all lingered in my thoughts. Despite the circumstances, there was something about him that made me feel seen; that bade me feel understood in a way I hadn't felt in a long time —since the issue with Matthew.

Just then, my phone rang, jolting me from my reverie. I glanced at the screen and saw Leon's name. My heart skipped a beat. With anticipation and nervousness, I answered the call.

"Hello, Irene," Leon's deep voice resonated through the line, sending a shiver down my spine. "I’ve been thinking about our conversation."

"Hi, Leon," I replied, trying to steady my voice. "It's a given for you to do that, except you're not the ambitious Alpha of your pack anymore."

Leon hummed, sniffing on something, “So much confidence, I see.”

He was right. I pulled all the strings I could with my body, my words, my tone just to make sure he finally agrees to my plans as I could consider him my last resort.

"Much for being Mathew's ex-Luna," I uttered, toying with the ends of my hair. "So, what's your take?"

There was a brief pause on the other end.

"I believe we can help each other," he finally said. "Matthew’s downfall would benefit us both."

Hearing those words, I felt a surge of determination and happiness. He just agreed to assisting with my plans. The result would definitely be a win-win. No loss.

"I’m ready to do whatever it takes," I said. "I want him to feel the same pain and betrayal he put me through."

Leon’s tone softened slightly.

"I understand your pain, Irene. We need to plan this carefully, though. Matthew’s commercial success is the backbone of his power. If we can undermine that, we can destabilize his entire pack, I get that. But how do we play it out smoothly without the whole thing getting backfired?"

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.

"I have the information you need. I’ve saved every piece of data that could help us."

"And if I may ask, how did you obtain this information?" Leon asked, his tone cautious but curious.

"Matthew left crucial documents on my laptop," I explained. "Enough to undermine his business empire."

"Alright," Leon said after a pause. He probably gave my words some thought. "How do you propose we use this information?"

I took a deep breath, laying out the plan I had concocted in my mind.

"First, we could stage a ‘break-in.’ Your men could steal my laptop, taking some irrelevant items to cover the true objective. I would then report a fake burglary to conceal how the information was leaked."

Leon considered my proposal for a moment.

"That's a good idea so it won't be traced to your end."

"Exactly, that's the goal. But I would be needing your help with something else too."

"What's that?" Leon asked.

"The house..." I trailed off, not fully sure of what I wanted about the subject I raised to Leon."

"And what about the house?" he asked.

"I would like to do away with it."

"You need help to get rid of it?" Leon was probably confused just like I was with myself. The house held so much memories which seemed tough to let go of.

The mansion was jointly owned by Matthew and me. Previously, as Luna, I had used it for meetings and work with other pack Lunas. Matthew’s pack members used this large standalone house as their foothold in the human society.

"Yes," I replied. "I need to sever all ties with Matthew, and that includes the house. Can you help with that?" I already made my decision. It would've the best thing for me, a way forward.

Leon was silent for a moment, and I could almost hear the gears turning in his mind.

"I could buy the house instead," he suggested finally, "demolish it, and rebuild something new. It would serve as a statement."

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. After hearing Leon’s analysis, I refused his offer to buy the house, preferring to sell it normally.

"No," I said firmly. "I don't want that. I'll make do with just selling it off."

Leon tried to convince me to agree to his opinion, "It would be a better way of doing away with the house, okay?"

"No," I repeated. "I want to sell it normally. I need the closure of letting it go on my terms."

"But..."

I interrupted him right away, "No, Leon. I make the decision here when it comes to my property."

"Okay..." Leon respected my decision, though I could sense a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Why do you want the demolition?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. There was something odd about his attitude, a hidden agenda perhaps.

"It’s symbolic," he replied smoothly. "A fresh start for both of us, and a clear message to Matthew and his pack that we’re serious about this."

I sensed there was more to it. "But why not just let me sell it? Why the need for demolition?"

Leon deftly evaded my probing.

"It's just an idea, Irene. If selling it normally gives you closure, then that’s what we’ll do."

Right then, I realized the man on the other end of the line was as cunning as a fox, but I was determined to use that to my advantage.

"Alright, we'll go with the original plan," I said, masking my suspicions.

"Very well," he said. "We’ll proceed with your plan. When can we execute the ‘break-in’?"

"Give me a few days to prepare," I replied. "I need to make sure everything is in place."

"Understood," Leon said. "Stay safe, Irene. Till then."

Ending the call, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The loneliness that had enveloped me moments ago was replaced by a burning resolve.

Matthew had underestimated me, but he was about to learn just how strong I could be. With Leon by my side, I would seize this opportunity to reclaim my life and bring Matthew to his knees.

I lay in bed but couldn't sleep. Leon’s voice echoed in my ears. We continued to chat on w******p, discussing the finer details of our plan. He was direct and efficient, his words calculated and precise. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his involvement, but for now, I needed his help. And that was what mattered most.

Just as I was about to drift off, the door creaked open. Matthew walked in, harshly and annoyingly.

"What's your relationship with Leon?" he asked, his voice cold.