The Alpha's Hybrid Bride

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ant a divorce." Silence fell. Then he barked a laugh, as if I'd just told him some absurd joke. "What the hell are you talking about? A divorce?" I nodded, pulling out a manila envelope from my bag and sliding it across the table to him. "I've already signed. You just need to add your name." He blinked at the papers, shock flickering across his face before his expression hardened. "What kind of childish stunt is this?" he sneered. "You think you can throw around divorce papers to get what you want?" I held his gaze, keeping my voice even. "This isn't about pressuring you, Leon. I'm serious. I'm not that naive girl anymore, thinking I could win respect just by working hard. This marriage-" I paused, steadying myself, "-means nothing if I'm still just a tool to you." He stared, his face tightening. "You're my wife, Rebecca," he said coldly. "There's no divorce." "Not for long." My heart ached, but I didn't back down. "Sign the papers." A flicker of something-remorse?-crossed his face before it vanished. He nodded to the elders. "Leave us." "Alpha, she's bluffing," Elder Erwin insisted. "Leave," Leon repeated, voice hard. One by one, the elders filed out, casting me dark glances until it was just the two of us. Leon's piercing eyes pinned me to my seat. His silence was like a weight pressing down on me. Then he broke it, turning to a drawer and pulling out a heavy file, bound in leather. He tossed it onto the table in front of me. "You think I wouldn't make you Luna?" he sneered, pushing it toward me. "I was waiting for your birthday." I blinked, speechless. Seeing my hesitation, Leon scoffed. "Still don't believe me?" Before I could respond, the door opened. Diane entered, her expression twisting in mock disappointment. "Well, so much for the birthday surprise," she pouted, carrying a tray with champagne glasses. She set it down and wrapped me in a warm hug, whispering, "Congratulations." I returned her embrace, guilt knotting in my chest. I'd been ready to walk away, and they'd been planning a surprise. "You guys wanted to surprise me?" I asked, still stunned. Leon held his glass up to me, his eyes unexpectedly soft. "I wanted to make sure you'd proven yourself to the pack first," he said, as if explaining something tender. "Then, on your birthday, we'd announce you as Luna." Diane raised her glass. "I suggested making it extra special," she added, beaming. "You deserve it." I looked up at Leo