Chapter 4

Mia probably believed that she was truly about to become the Luna of the Crescent Pack.

The next day, she brought her people to my estate and had them remove my belongings piece by piece.

She called it helping me repay my debt.

Lily and the maids were furious. Their eyes were red with anger, and they wanted to stand up for me.

“Don’t get worked up.”

I stopped them and calmly recorded the first item in my notebook.

I wanted to see just how far they would go when no one told them the truth, and then settle everything with them all at once.

After that, Mia turned her attention to the pack’s accounts.

Jewelry, luxury watches, expensive cars...

Every gift she had sent to the Redstone Pack had been paid for from the Crescent Pack’s treasury.

The financial director did not dare offend her, so he categorized each expense under “Alpha’s daily expenses” and processed the reimbursements.

When the bill was placed in front of me, I flipped through two pages.

“Approve it.”

The financial director visibly relaxed.

“But,” I added, “deduct it from Theo’s profit share.”

The financial director froze.

“But…”

“Isn’t he the Acting Alpha right now?” I smiled faintly. “The daily expenses of an Alpha’s mate should come from his own share of the profits. Is there a problem with that?”

After the financial director left, I recorded the second item in my notebook.

That afternoon, the person in charge of the hunting grounds rushed over.

He stood at the entrance of my study, his face covered in sweat, his hands trembling.

“Madam Mia wants to turn the hunting grounds into her private garden. She also said she wants to... cut down the oak tree at the center.”

I fell silent for a moment.

My parents had established those hunting grounds the year I was born. They had planted the oak tree with their own hands as a blessing for me.

I had grown up in those woods, learning how to shoot a bow, chasing silver foxes, and hunting deer.

That place was the only real connection I still had with my parents.

“Agree with her for now,” I said. “Just put on a show. Don’t actually change anything.”

The person in charge looked at me, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

In the end, he nodded and left.

That became the third item recorded in my notebook.

By evening, Theo arrived.

He carried a document in his hand, walking with a calm confidence that was completely different from the nervous young man who had stood before me twelve years ago.

“Silvia, this is the appointment document for the upcoming Full Moon Council Meeting.”

He placed the document in front of me.

I picked it up and started reading.

The first page appointed him as the Acting Alpha for the next twenty years.

The second page transferred control over territories and mining rights.

The third page transferred all company shares.

At the very end was a declaration that I was voluntarily giving up my right to inherit the Alpha title.

He had already filled in my name.

All that remained was for me to stamp it and sign.

It seemed my silence these past few days had given him an unreasonable amount of confidence.

“You told Mia that I was your adopted sister.”

I looked at him with a hint of mockery.

“So why do you need this ‘adopted sister’ to sign these documents for you now?”

Theo smiled.

His tone was casual, as if this were merely a simple matter.

“That was just a way of explaining things. After all, I’ve been the one managing the pack all these years. How am I any different from a real Alpha?”

“Sign these documents. It’s better for both of us. Just cooperate at the meeting tomorrow, and everything will be settled.”

He leaned forward, adopting the air of someone who knew what was best for me.

“Silvia, honestly, even if your wolf awakens, do you know how to manage a pack? Can you read financial reports?”

“Other than stamping a document and signing your name once a year, what else can you do?”

I smiled.

“You think my appointment of you every year was just a game?”

He frowned slightly, looking at me in confusion.

“Isn’t it?”

I did not argue with him.

Instead, I closed the document and pushed it back across the table.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow in front of everyone.”

Theo smiled with satisfaction.

He thought I had agreed.

After he left, Grand Elder Harlan stepped out from the other side of the study.

“Theo’s term as Acting Alpha expires tonight.”

I nodded.

“Have the Alphas from the other packs arrived?”

“They have all arrived and are waiting for your instructions.”

The next day, at the full moon meeting, the Alphas from the other packs arrived on time.

The entire Elder Council was present, seated on both sides of the long conference table. The room was filled with voices and conversation.

Theo and Mia arrived late.

They walked straight to the head of the table and sat down.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Harlan frowned and was about to speak, but I raised my hand and stopped him.

Mia looked at me and deliberately made a playful remark.

“Alright, Silvia. Come over and stamp and sign the documents. Then we won’t all have to play along with your little game every year.”

But no one in the entire room laughed.

Theo finally sensed that something was wrong.

He cleared his throat and looked toward his assistant, Jacob, who was seated farther down the table.

“The stamping can wait. Jacob, bring out this year’s pack business expansion plan first.”

Jacob did not move.

He looked at Theo calmly.

“Theo, you’re no longer the Acting Alpha. You have no authority to ask about the pack’s business plans.”

Theo’s smile froze.

“What did you say?”

Mia froze as well. She turned toward Jacob.

“What Acting Alpha? Isn’t Theo the Alpha?”

Jacob did not answer her.

He only looked toward me, waiting for my instruction.

“Theo.”

I looked at him sitting in my father’s seat.

“Didn’t you say I was only an adopted daughter, and that stamping your appointment document was just a game you played to humor me?”

I leaned back in my chair, my lips curving slightly.

“Perfect.”

I looked at everyone in the room.

My voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

“Let’s see whose authority they recognize—yours or mine.”

Jacob picked up the expansion plan from the table, walked to my side, and placed it in front of me.

The Alphas of all twelve packs rose together and bowed to me.

Theo’s face finally turned pale.