While He Played Love, I Played War Chapter 10

While He Played Love, I Played War Chapter 10

Six months later, I went to Cassie’s old pack. 

They had opened a small taco shop in town. It 

wasn’t big, but it was clean and tidy. 

When Cassie saw me, she didn’t even take off her 

apron. She ran out and hugged me. 

“Madison!” 

Logan poked his head out from the kitchen, his hands covered in flour. “Madison, you’re here!” 

They set a full table of food for me. Cassie said, “We didn’t waste the money you gave us. We’re renting the shop and taking it slow.” 

“That’s good,” I said. 

She smiled, eyes curving. “Before, I always felt like 

I was just a driver’s wife–living paycheck to paycheck, always reading people’s moods. Now 

I’m tired, but it feels steady.” 

Logan sat down and rubbed his hands together. “Madison… I should’ve told you earlier back then.” 

I shook my head. “You already helped me a lot.” 

Cassie lowered her voice. “Alpha Derek came to 

see Logan a while ago.” 

I looked up. “What for?” 

“He wanted him to change his statement–said the 

photos and recordings were fake.” 

Logan let out a cold snort. “I told him to get lost.” 

I didn’t feel anything when I heard it. 

Some people, once they fall out of your life, don’t 

even deserve an echo. 

One year later, I sold the pack house. Not because I needed money–but because I didn’t want to live 

there anymore. 

My new home was small, near my parents‘ pack. 

I started working again–not in some big corporation, and not doing anything dramatic. 

I opened a small financial consulting studio, helping small couples‘ businesses and family companies keep their books in order. 

There were many she–wolves and women like I 

once was–investing money, doing the work, but never having their names on anything. 

I didn’t tell them to break their mate bonds. I only told them one thing: keep your records straight, save your receipts, read before you sign. 

One of them cried after hearing me. 

“My husband says I’m too calculating,” she said. 

I replied, “Being careful with money is better than having to fight for your life later.” 

She wiped her tears and smiled. 

Every month, I still had afternoon tea with Cassie. 

When she came into town to restock supplies, she 

always brought me a box of tacos. 

She’d say, “Luna, I still talk too much.” 

I’d reply, “That’s good.” 

Talking too much saves lives. It really does. 

Five years later, Cassie’s taco shop opened its second branch. 

On opening day, she invited me to cut the ribbon. She wore a red jacket and smiled brighter than 

anyone there. 

Logan stood beside her, still not very talkative, just quietly serving customers. 

I gave them a gift. Cassie stared at it for a long 

time, her eyes turning red. 

“Luna… if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have any 

of this.” 

I said, “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t either.” 

She slapped my arm lightly. “Let’s stop being 

emotional. It’s getting awkward.” 

I laughed. 

At noon, she pulled me down to eat and suddenly 

asked, “Madison, do you regret inviting me for tea 

every month back then?” 

I thought for a moment. “No.” 

In those six years, I wasn’t flattering a driver’s wife. 

I was leaving myself a window. 

The most dangerous part of a mate bond isn’t betrayal–it’s not knowing where the truth can even enter your life. 

In the afternoon, I returned to my office. There was a bouquet on my desk from a client, with a note: 

“Ms. Ramsey, thank you for telling me to check my accounts. I saved my business.” 

I put the flowers in a vase. 

My phone rang. Cassie texted: 

“Madison, tea next month?” 

I replied, “Sure. Your treat.” 

She responded instantly: “Deal. I’m a boss lady 

now too.” 

I looked at the screen and smiled. 

Outside, the sunlight was bright. My life was 

bright too. 

Without Derek, it was even better.