THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE LOVE, I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS DOUBLE-DIGIT CHAPTER AS MUCH AS I ENJOYED WRITING THIS ONE OUT. ily.

---

| Clementine POV – 5 years later |

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

The annoying clicking of a pen took me out of my daze as my eyes squinted together to stare at the culprit on the other side of the courtroom smiling smugly back at me. I rolled my eyes back at their arrogance and they sniggered, clutching their jaw as they winked back. If only I could rip this man's throat out I would, but that would ruin the new red shellac on my fingers and the pristinely white Chanel blazer on me.

I refocused my attention back at the front as the judge's associate clutched the council's verdict in their hands and placed it on the stand for the judge to finally read. I pressed my lips in anticipation as they cleared their throat and gazed at me and also, the cocky defending lawyer in front of her.

"Please rise everyone."

The judge exclaimed as the entire court rose and waited with bated breath.

"The council members have carefully deliberated their decision for the past three days and their verdict is paramount to close this trial fairly under the eyes of the law, both human and ours. That said, the council members for this trial have unanimously found the accused guilty of assault with harmful intent and deliberate disclosure of werewolves to the public. The council and the wolven court have decided to punish Mr Hyde Crowley with 1000 silver lashings and life in prison under the pack he has aggrieved with his actions. Thank you, everyone, for your patience. This trial is now adjourned."

With the pound of the gavel, I beamed proudly as my side of the prosecution cheered in unison at the verdict, hugging and crying at one another after an arduous six weeks. I shook the hands of the Alpha and his heavily pregnant Luna as I congratulated them on their win and they thanked me back with an awkward group hug.

Of course, being the petty bitch that I am, I quickly spun around and faced the wanker in a suit so I could wink back at him and watch his face fall.

"Another loss Michael? You're really not helping my ego." I gloated with a hair flick as his face went red both from anger and embarrassment.

"Watch yourself Finch, you'll get it one day." He retaliated with a huff.

"Aw hun, the only thing I'll be getting is that promotion as a legal advocate to the council. It suits me better than you, don't you think?"

"You're a bitch, Clementine." Michael muttered spitefully as I laughed and leaned closer to his face.

"And that I am, don't you forget."

.

.

.

In the last 5 years since I've left Scarlet Moon pack, I had become the most sought-after lawyer in London, developing my career by being absolutely callous and cunning. A shark hungry for blood and hungry for victory each time. In every case I have taken, I won with absolute confidence and I wouldn't ruin that streak anytime soon.

Finch and Smith is the product of my success, my pride and joy, and my absolute legacy. My legal firm has been the talk of the town since I started it straight out of law school. People thought I was crazy and expected me to fail greatly because how could someone so young be this ballsy? Well folks, I eat nails for breakfast.

The Clementine Finch from 5 years ago? She's gone. She was a remnant of an awful past I had fully left behind, a naïve and utterly fragile version of the woman I am now.

Successful.

Dominant.

Boundless.

The three perfect words that define what I had become after all those years of hard work, perseverance and pain.

Shattering.

Traumatic.

Unforgivable.

What he has done to me has made me stronger, even though he is as good as dead to me. I don't mourn, I don't grieve, I simply say a graceful fuck you at their metaphorical headstone from time to time.

After our dramatic exit from Crescent Moon pack, my mum and I moved to Glas Faraoise, her old pack where I kept to myself and finished high school without a hitch. I passed with flying colours but had to change my first choice of law school from Cambridge to Oxford because I knew that he might get the idea to seek me out there since it was too close to my mother's pack and I didn't want to risk that thought.

I wanted to be a stranger and start fresh. A new Clementine Finch that would conquer the world and be an absolute baddie. I knew Oxford would give me the freedom I craved, to drive my own narrative and be selfish with my decisions. I was greedy to take charge of my life, my career and also, the people I fucked.

With no bond tying me down or a stupid mate around, I finally experienced crushes, the euphoria of falling in love and having my heart broken naturally. Okay, that was a lie, I was the breaker of hearts.

Hurt people, hurt people. Or so they say, but you don't build an empire without causing a bit of chaos.

I walked out of the courtroom with my head held high, the clicking of my Louboutins in perfect rhythm.

Outside, the council members were all huddled in a corner discussing something in private when a familiar face peered over and I accidentally made eye contact.

Shit.

"Little shroom, congratulations!" He cheerily yelled out before I had a chance to escape from that mortifying childhood nickname.

"Alpha Julian! How are you?" I awkwardly smiled as the old burly man excused himself and made his way to me. I brought out my hand for us to shake but the Alpha pulled me over, squeezing me in a bear hug.

Such a Heath thing to do.

"Look at you Clementine! You were only a wee one last time I've seen your face. How is your mum?" He beamed as he patted my head like a child.

"She's doing well, she's a nurse now back at Glas Faraoise."

"Glas Faraoise? Isn't that a long way from your pack?"

I paused for a bit before I realised that he probably didn't know the big fiasco Alpha Arthur created that caused us to move.

"Um, we moved to mum's pack, Alpha. Sorry I assumed you knew."

"No I did not. Hmm, it's not me being senile, trust me. My grandson doesn't tell me much these days. He didn't even visit me with his mum on my birthday, that little shit. He's too busy with his beta duties."

Please don't ask about Tom.

Please, please, please.

"So, how's Tom the menace?"

Shit.

"We.... we are no longer in contact, Alpha."

"Oh. But weren't you two close?"

"Well, we just drifted apart I suppose."

Lies. You left him without saying goodbye.

Alpha Julian seemed to have read the discomfort on my face and sighed.

"He's an idiot but don't you worry, I'll smack his head for you Clementine."

For a hot minute, I really thought Tom was in front of me just then when he said that. What's with this family and using physical violence?

He shook his head in dismay and I gave him a wry smile in return. Tom would definitely hunt me down if he actually got hit because of me. Somehow, I would have loved to witness it for my own entertainment.

My phone suddenly buzzed and the Alpha ushered me to take the call with his hand. I whispered an apology as I bid goodbye, thanking silently whoever was calling me for giving me an excuse to go. I glanced at my phone and immediately took the call, before regretting the excited screaming on the other end.

"Cece!! You've done it again! You got our firm another winning case! My name is on the firm but you are literally carrying me to the top. I'd promote you but you own half of this firm. Congratulations!" Eric gushed loudly, making me deaf from all the flattery he was shouting.

"Thank you, Eric! But you need to stop with your over-the-top theatrics. I already get enough of that from your pregnant wife." I jokingly replied back to the soon-to-be father before hanging up so I could drive.

You see, Eric was a senior member of our Oxford Law Society and a great mentor during my time at university. The poor human didn't know about werewolves at all until he got tackled by my roommate, Penelope, at my birthday dinner. Suffice to say he was her mate and now husband. These two pretty much moved in together immediately and 'adopted' me so I could save money while doing my internships. Eric was already a big-shot lawyer in London when we decided to start our firm and he nabbed me straight after graduation before anyone else could. As he said, he saw me as a great asset from the very beginning and that I would bring us success.

Well, success I brought and then some. After this case, Finch and Smith finally upped our chance to be accredited by the wolven council. And I'll be a step closer to becoming a legal advocate for the council, just like my father before he passed.

My dream and my aspirations were slowly coming to fruition in front of my eyes. I could almost reach it, I just have to keep going and win some more to impress the council.

I drove to Beaufort bar to have a celebratory drink to myself since the other two people I was meant to be celebrating with were too preoccupied with their birthing classes.

I've been so busy with this case that I've been in no contact with hot men nor socialised in weeks. So, what's a hot werewolf lawyer meant to do? She hunts.

All eyes were on me as I strutted in and sat down at the very end of the bar and ordered my usual poison - Yamazaki on the rocks.

I skimmed the room for my prey as I sipped my drink, gaining the attention of the handsome stranger right across me. He lifted his glass in the air and I followed suit as he walked with purpose toward me.

"Room for two?" He asked coyly as his body approached closer, making my wolf react lustfully in my head which caught me off guard.

"Always." I replied as I bit my lip and tugged on his tie slightly so he would move closer to me.

I've only had my first drink but my body felt a bit funny for some reason. I doubt I got roofied though, the bartenders here would never risk that as I'm the owner's VIP patron and their personal lawyer at that.

"What's your name gorgeous?" He leaned closer to talk, his mouth just a centimetre away from my lips.

"I don't do names darling. It's sexier this way, non?" I grabbed his hand and led it slowly to my thigh, his reaction (or erection) was priceless.

Hook.

Line.

And fucking sinker.

His head inched forward and I felt his breath on mine as he slowly caressed my thigh until he reached my ass, squeezing it.

Reacting to his touch, I grabbed his jaw and traced it slowly with my index finger until it reached his bottom lip. What Clem wants, Clem gets.

Just as soon as his mouth was a mere inch from mine, my phone buzzed and alerted my apple watch. I would have been livid at the absolute cockblock when I saw the horrifying notification that absolutely got me up and running out of the bar within seconds of seeing it.

In big bold letters on my watch was something I absolutely, completely forgot.

Well, that explained why my wolf was being a bit too keen for a root. But that hot, very human, stranger would have died from exhaustion if he ended up at my place.

As much as I hated this moment right now, at least my heat only comes every 6 months so I could schedule a good fuck with a werewolf who could absolutely take on what was in store for them.

I rushed to my car in a panic and drove home quickly to avoid any unmated wolves around who would absolutely jump me if they smelled my heat.

Why is it only the women who go through something this tedious and painful? The loony moony in the sky is an absolute misogynist I reckon.

I ran to open my apartment door and locked it behind me as I immediately turned the shower on. With my clothes still on, I sat on the shower floor in tears as the cold water barely numbed the growing pain all over my body.

I yelped in absolute discomfort as I shed my clothes and clutched my hair, cursing that motherfucker's name out.

Lucas.

Lucas.

Lucas--Green.

I sighed in relief as I finally heard the jingling of keys outside my door as they entered, their voice yelling out my name. I groaned back an answer to catch their attention before they stepped inside the bathroom, fully gawking at my nakedness.

He smiled and bent down closer to pick me up off the floor, not a care about getting fully soaked as their effervescent eyes set upon me.

"Hey, you."

I beamed back.

.

.

.

"Hey, Tom."

===End of chapter===

Hello, there.

Bet ya'll didn't see that one coming huh?

You might be thinking, "WTF this is so random????"

But don't worry, I've got a backstory on why Tom is there. hehehe.

Again, thank you so much for your support. I appreciate it a lot.

Inspired by: