an's

under my in

n Alpha's wrath. I didn't raise my voice. I didn't need to. I simply stared at him, let the silence stretch, and watch

er. And she was pre

from my face, then rush back in a hot surge of rage. My hands clenched at

s worse t

pregnancy would be discovered, had convinced him that if Emelia were gone-dead or gravely injured-the ensuing chaos woul

to turn away from him, my knuckles whitening against the stone

corridor, her posture ramrod straight, her arms folded. She must have heard enough through the thick oak doo

low snarl. "And her spawn. I don't

e was steady. "Leave it to me. The honor of

een the architect of our social standing. I did not ask for details. I simply watch

the Pack, the matriarchs of the other prominent families, were already assembled. The ancestors of House Day stared down from their portraits, stern and unforgiving. Cla

ack, my arms cro

rough burlap, she was hauled like an animal to the main gates of the estate, Rick stumbli

Pack. Their connection to our lands s

t out without a Pack was a fate worse than death-a life of constant fear,

ia's

felt no surge of triumph, no thrill of revenge. Just a quie

, the icy fury had left her. In it

first time in years, took my hand.

n emotion I hadn't heard from her in a lif

just crack. It shattered into a

ump forming in my throat

we were not just mother and daughter, but allies.

to take shape. She started arranging a series of "coincidental" meet

m. "We've mentioned so many times that he's delayed our engagement; he doesn't

g the eligible Alphas and Betas of the

ist was the man who

Ree

kind, his temperament is gentle, and the Reeves family

in my past life. I had heard his name mentioned as a respectable, honorable Alpha. But this life was

while, Mother," I told her gently

my wishes, agreeing that it was b

Gala was just a week away. It was the social event of the season, a grand

mmissioned for me, a shimmering

ight with a fierce, strategic fire. "This is where you will sho