era

the Alpha's SUV, watching the sprawling, ancient oaks of the Dawson Ancestral Manor blur past. The estate was a

a white designer dress that looked too bright, too modern against the somber backdrop of the Pack's heartland.

rearview mirror to check her lipstick. "She always adored me whe

or for a split second, cold and unreadable, before returning to the road. He was still simmering

ar, the heavy oak doors groaned open. It wasn't Elder Stella who stepped out, but Caelan, th

y, then offered a polite, tight-li

d as if expecting a hug. "Is Grandmother

id that is impossible, Miss Warren. Elder Stella entered the Moon Shrine last night for a spiritual

o weeks? But... Brennan brou

is tone brooking no argument. It was a calculated snub. Everyone knew a "cleans

learly not surprised. "Very w

Caelan took a step forwa

tly on me. The frost in his eyes melted instantly, replaced

g air. "Elder Stella specifically asked me to convey her regards to you. S

o my chest. "Thank you, Caelan

nd you, Alpha, to cherish the true value standing right beside you. Rare

he insult landing like a physical slap. Brennan frowned, his eyes narrowing as

led, ushering a fuming K

bs. Stella knew. She didn't know I was his rejected mate, but she knew I w

ennan disappeared into his office immediately, slamming the heavy oak door. I retreated to

n't la

r arms crossed, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her biceps. T

asked, though she knew

pt my voice professional, the perfect mask o

Brennan's full schedule for the next month. Including his p

pha's security protocols are classified. Only sworn Pack adminis

"I am his *chosen* ma

s are in the system, you will have full access," I replied cal

ent-or lack thereof. To her, I was just a wolfless Omega, a

Fine. Keep your little secrets. Just make sure you keep him happy in t

rtificial sakura in her wake. I stared at her retreating back,

ed for the lower levels. The corridor near the Pack Archives was dim an

not

ver

ct, a hand shot out and grabbed my arm, yanking me

s wife. Her eyes were wi

r grip painful on my forearm.

rying to pry her fingers off. "Yes,

ea what this means for us? For Jarred? If she becomes Luna, she'll audit

anything," I hissed. "I pay

me back against the cabinet, her voice echoing dangerously in the quiet hall. "You've been warming his bed for thre

cold. The air

ically down the corridor. "Gina, a

Use it. Get us a guarantee, get us a better house, before that bitch takes everything. Don'

I had guarded with my life had just been screamed in the hallway. The walls of my cage we