Chapter 2

"Clara? What are you doing here?" My voice trembled slightly.

She managed a weak smile. "Aurora, I'm Elena's daughter. I was sick and getting treatment overseas in the past. I'm finally home."

What?

I stared at my stepmother, Elena. She looked unsettled, her gaze shaky.

Fate really had a twisted sense of humor. Damian's so-called ex-girlfriend turned out to be my stepmother's daughter.

"Aurora, Clara isn't well. She needs a quiet place to recover." My father stood up, his tone allowing no argument. "Give her your design studio."

That studio was my favorite place in the east wing of the estate. It had the best views with perfect lighting.

"Give it to her?" I let out a cold laugh. "And why should I?"

"Because she needs to be cared for," my father said sternly. "You're her older sister. You should know better and be more mature."

I looked at Clara's face and thought of what I'd seen at the park. Anger flared in my chest.

"Sorry, but I'm not obligated to take care of the homewrecker's daughter." My voice was ice-cold.

Elena's face changed. "Aurora! How can you say that?"

"Say what?" I shot a mocking look at the two of them. "I haven't even left yet, and you're already so eager to help your daughter take my place?"

My father roared furiously, "Aurora! That's enough!"

I ignored him and went upstairs to pack.

While I was at it, I booked a ticket to the Risingdawn Pack's territory, leaving in two weeks. Fifteen minutes later, I dragged my suitcase downstairs.

"Aurora, where are you going?" Elena asked, her concern clearly faked.

"I don't want to spend another second in this disgusting place," I said without looking back.

"Stop!" my father yelled. "What are you doing now? Don't forget what you promised!"

I stopped and slowly turned, giving him a mocking smile. "Don't worry. I'll become mates with the Alpha of Risingdawn Pack, no question."

I left that suffocating place I called home without another word.

That night, I anonymously leaked my father's business scandals to the media—illegal mining, tax evasion, and threatening pack members. By the next day, his company's stock price had plunged thirty percent.

That was my way of getting back at him. Afterward, I checked into a luxury hotel.

My father was livid, calling just to roar at me.

"Aurora! Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to get me removed as Alpha?" His voice became hoarse from the yelling.

"Not enough," I replied coolly, sipping champagne by the window. "After all, you're planning to trade me for a whole pack's loyalty and resources. A little scandal is the least you deserve."

Outwardly, I was calm, but inside, I was plotting for more. I wanted the Risingdawn Pack to invest their resources in me personally and make sure that my father's company could never receive a single cent.

The alliance he wanted? He could keep dreaming.

"Come back now!" he shouted, practically shaking with anger.

"And live where? The basement?" I sneered. "Or are you planning to kick out your precious Clara for me?"

I hung up.

Three days later, my father used every connection he had to freeze my accounts and got me blacklisted by nearly every design supplier in the industry.

He didn't waste any time.

At an industry gala the next week, a vindictive rival humiliated me in front of everyone.

"Well, if it isn't Aurora! I heard your own father cut you off," he sneered. "You used to be so high and mighty, but look at you now. The so-called design prodigy was just backed by her own family's influence."

Snickers rippled around the room.

"The so-called prodigy can't even afford materials for her project, right?"

"I heard she's blacklisted from the entire industry's supply chain. Hahaha…!"

I wanted to retort, but nearly everyone there had a grudge against me. There was no way I could win.

Just as I was backed to the corner, a powerful and suffocating Alpha's presence swept over the room.

The rival Alpha fell silent, his face going pale.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. That familiar cedarwood scent, mixed with the scent of something primal and dangerous.

"Out."

It was one cold and commanding word, and the werewolves immediately scattered.

Before I could react, strong arms pulled me out of the banquet hall.

I still didn't look at him. I didn't want him to see me like this.

"Let go of me!" I struggled, but my strength was nothing compared to his.

Damian gripped my wrist.

"What are you up to again?" His voice was low and tight with anger. "Why didn't you come to me after you've been blacklisted by the whole industry?"