is

s on the way to Alston's residence now seemed to mock me. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, wa

d curdled into a cold, h

eth, said softly, her voice laced with

glass, my fingers steady. "Gwyneth," I said, my voice even, "I need you to do something for me. Check the

simply nodded. "Of course, my lady." She knew b

ry word, every smile, every touch from Alston. The signs had all been ther

brightly lit, and I could hear the faint sounds of lively music and clinking glasses

from the most exclusive couturier in the city, a couturier owned by the Lara Consortium. She even wore a matching set of pearls that I recognized from my mother's private collection. They always went to my mother's boutiques, picke

sensitive nose. She always masked her ruthless ambition beneath a sweet, obedient facade. She moved to link her arm with mine

all, but sharp. Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second. I l

ovetous resentment in her gaze, the same look she had worn since childhood whenever I received something she wanted. She was already calculat

waiting for you to join the celebration, but it seems you are too selfish to be happy for your own cousin. Still spending your mother's money on frivolities, I see," she sneered, conveniently forgetting that she herself was wearing Lara

ping past them and

espised my mother's weak, human like merchant blood but happily drained her wealth, sat enthroned in her high backed chair, he

ch aura rolled over me, a heavy pressure designed to make weaker wolves submit. "So, you deign t

ession fraught with worry

apped, and my mother flinched

iately rushed to Cydney's side, fussing over her

ooked at Carson. She patted her hand affect

e heir's Luna brings tremendous glory to the entire Rowe family. You should be thrilled. A merchant's daughter like you, elevated to the status of secondar

like you managed to become Luna, you would only be a laughingstock among the nobles. Carson, on the other hand

e with shock and pain. They had not even bothered to tell h

efully flaunt their betrayal without a single ounce of guilt finally shattered my last illusion. My mother had always compromised, believing we were one family. She felt inferior because of her merchant background, constantly yielding to their demands. But if they were going to despise us anyway, why s

bubble up from my chest. They were

hey expected a breakdo

ng to bare my throat to her. "Then I assume the two thousand gold marks for Carson's title will be paid by the second house? S

y stared at me as if I ha

ill shriek. "What nonsense are you talking about? Tha

. She could not deny it. My heart sank. She had compromised again, sac

he Lara fortune belongs to the Rowe Pack through ma

ed directly into her sharp, cruel eyes. "Oh? I was unaware that federa

n my lips. "Or has the Rowe Pack's authority g

, flashed behind her eyes, a snarl of pure, possessive greed. She wanted to shift. She wanted to tear me apart with her claws. But she could not. Not here. Not without proving me right. Her hand trembled s

my mother's eyes, surprise, fear

other, my voice softening. "Mother,

I would let them see exactly what kind of life they were about to live with