Unfair Games

(Audrey’s POV)

The words glared back at me from my phone screen, sharp and unforgiving.

Victoria Moonstone, the new Clinical Director of the Moonstone Therapy Center.

For a moment, I just stared, the announcement coursing through me like a jagged blade. Victoria. Of all people, Victoria. My new boss.

“Audrey?” Sarah’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. She was perched on the edge of my desk, her dark eyes sharp with concern. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I swallowed hard, forcing my expression into something neutral. Anything to mask the wave of disbelief shaking me from the inside out. But Sarah had always been too perceptive for her own good.

She leaned closer, her tattoos peeking out beneath the sleeve of her blouse as her arms crossed. “Tell me what’s going on,” she said firmly. “I know that look on your face. You’re holding something back.”

My lips pressed together, the words fighting their way out. “It’s... Victoria,” I finally said, not quite able to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

Her brows furrowed. “Victoria... as in Arthur’s stepsister? What does she have to do with—” Her voice trailed off as her eyes flicked back to her own phone screen. Her expression darkened when realization hit. “No way.”

I nodded stiffly.

“Wait, *her*? She’s going to be the Clinical Director?” Sarah threw up her hands, her voice rising slightly. “This has to be a joke. She’s not even qualified! Everyone knows she’s—”

“A pack privilege hire,” I finished for her, my voice flat.

Her mouth opened, then closed again as frustration radiated off her. She shook her head, looking at me like I was insane. “And you’re just... okay with this?”

I looked at her, forcing a brittle smile onto my face. “It doesn’t matter. Everyone gets what they deserve in the end.”

That seemed to catch her off guard. She tilted her head, studying me as if trying to figure out what I really meant. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her curiosity tugged at me, but I stayed quiet. I didn’t owe her—or anyone else—my plan. Not yet. It was still forming, still fragile. One wrong move, and everything might collapse before it even began.

“I have an idea,” I admitted after a pause, my voice low. “But it’s not fully ready yet.”

Sarah frowned, leaning closer until her piercing gaze was locked onto mine. “Audrey...”

I shrugged, picking at an invisible thread on my sleeve. “Let’s just say I’ll handle it.”

She stared at me a while longer before finally nodding, though her frustration lingered. Sarah had never been one to let things rest. But thankfully, she respected boundaries—most of the time.

“Alright,” she finally said, straightening. “But if you need backup, you better call me. Just say the word.”

I nodded, but my focus was already elsewhere.

Back in my office, I tried to distract myself with the wolfsbane research sprawled across my desk. It didn’t work. No matter how many times I read the same line, the announcement kept replaying in my head, louder with each passing second.

The knock on the door startled me.

Rebecca Foster stepped in, balancing a steaming cup of coffee and a small teapot of my favorite herbal blend. Her warm eyes met mine briefly before glancing at the scattered papers on my desk.

“You’re amazing,” I murmured tiredly as she set the drinks down.

Her lips twitched into a small smile, though concern lingered in her eyes. “Luna, I said it before, and I’ll say it again—you’re far too calm about this.”

I arched an eyebrow, trying to summon some version of composed confidence. “Why waste energy?” I asked lightly.

Rebecca didn’t look convinced. Her mouth opened like she wanted to argue but thought better of it. Instead, she busied herself tidying the corner of my desk that wasn’t already buried under research.

Before she could say anything else, both our phones buzzed simultaneously.

“Group announcement,” Rebecca said, glancing at the screen.

Her brows furrowed slightly. “Main hall meeting.”

My throat tightened as my chest filled with a turbulent mix of dread and anticipation. There was no question in my mind about what this meeting was for.

---

The hall buzzed with murmurs as everyone gathered, pack members filling the space shoulder-to-shoulder. I stood near the back, arms crossed as I leaned against the wall, keeping my expression neutral.

And there they were, standing at the front like they owned the room. Arthur, commanding and confident as ever. And Victoria, practically glowing with smug satisfaction as she scanned the crowd with faux humility.

Arthur’s voice cut through the murmurs. He didn’t need to raise it—his natural Alpha authority took care of that. “Thank you all for coming on short notice.”

He paused, his eyes sweeping the room before settling briefly on me.

I didn’t flinch under his gaze.

“I’d like to introduce someone who’ll be taking on an important leadership role for our health division,” Arthur continued smoothly. “Victoria Moonstone, your new Clinical Director.”

I clenched my jaw as a smattering of polite applause echoed through the hall.

Victoria smiled broadly, stepping forward to take her moment in the spotlight. Her voice was sugar-sweet as she began to speak, presenting herself as grateful and eager. But her words were laced with subtle reminders of her connection to Arthur and the Moonstone name.

Not one mention of her lack of experience. Not one nod to the hard work others had put in—not even the faintest shred of acknowledgment for me.

Rebecca leaned closer and muttered under her breath, “Failed mate bond and stolen position. Some people really have no shame.”

I allowed myself the faintest twitch of amusement at her bitterness.

The meeting dragged on longer than it needed to as Victoria outlined her “vision.” But her words were empty, more for show than substance.

By the time it was over, I was grinding my teeth, the strain growing harder to hide.

---

Back in my office, I hoped for peace. But peace was a luxury I wouldn’t be granted today.

Through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw them. Arthur and Victoria walking side-by-side down the hall, heading toward her new office.

It would’ve been ordinary enough, if not for... the way they moved together. The way Victoria rested her hand against Arthur’s arm, and the way his hand lingered to brush her hair out of her face with a familiarity that set my wolf on edge.

Grace stirred restlessly in my mind, her annoyance rolling in waves.

“Luna?” Rebecca’s voice pulled me from my spiral.

I dropped my gaze quickly, hoping she hadn’t seen the flicker of fire in my expression. “The tea,” I said shortly, picking up the cup. “It’s too bitter.”

Rebecca blinked in surprise before nodding hurriedly. “I’ll fix it!” She scurried off, eager to keep busy.

A knock on the door pulled me back to reality.

Arthur stepped in, his presence dominating the room as it always did. He closed the door behind him and faced me with a weary expression, as though the meeting had taken more out of him than he cared to admit.

“Just checking in,” he said, his voice softer than usual. “How are you holding up?”

I tilted my head slightly, studying him. “I’m fine,” I replied evenly.

He frowned as though he didn’t quite believe me. “I hope you know this wasn’t a slight against you, Audrey,” he began. “I—”

“Don’t explain,” I cut him off sharply. “I understand.”

His lips pressed together for a moment before he sighed. “Victoria’s... nervous,” he confessed. “She’s stepping into an unfamiliar role, and the pack is already watchful. I’m just helping her get adjusted.”

“By letting her hang off your arm like you’re mated?” The words were out before I could stop them, sharp and cutting.

Arthur blinked, startled. “Audrey—”

My voice rose. “Do you even realize how this looks? Or does it not matter as long as she’s comfortable?”

An exasperated noise escaped him as he ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “I’m trying to avoid creating conflict, Audrey. Her position is precarious enough.”

“And I’m expected to just... accept that?” I demanded. “What about what I’ve done for the center? What about my qualifications?”

He sighed again, his posture weary. “I know it’s not fair,” he said softly.

“No,” I shot back. “It’s not fair.”

Something in my tone made him pause. A shadow crossed his expression as he stepped closer.

“Audrey,” he murmured, his voice low, stepping into my space. “You have to know this doesn’t diminish you, or your place in the pack. The entire Moonstone territory is yours.”

My laugh was humorless, bitter. “Yours, Arthur,” I corrected sharply. “Not mine.”

His jaw tightened, the tension between us reaching a breaking point.

“If you’re so generous,” I said, retreating into sarcasm, “why don’t you transfer one-tenth of the territory to me? Including the healing center and herb plantation.”