(Audrey's POV)
The office door swung open with a force that made our newly installed bell jingle violently. Mrs. Shadowcrest appeared, chest heaving slightly as if she'd hurried up the stairs rather than waiting for the elevator. Her eyes scanned the room quickly before landing on Emma with maternal concern.
Anyone could see at a glance how much she cared about her daughter. The expensive jewelry adorning her neck glinted under our office lights, a stark reminder of the power differential between us.
Emma, seeing her reinforcement had arrived, immediately adopted a wounded expression. Her lower lip protruded in a practiced pout, and her eyes glistened as if she was about to cry.
"Mom," she whimpered, "I felt sorry for her recent mate bond severance, so I came to support her healing practice, but she and her friend actually insulted me and called me a rogue wolf!"
The transformation was impressive—from threatening our business moments ago to playing victim now. I had to admire her
