Chapter 2

I froze, my hand still reaching for the caviar I'd brought her.

"Winona, what are you talking about?"

Winona picked up a sanitizing wipe from the table and slowly cleaned her fingers.

"I said I'm sick of it."

She gave me a smile that wasn't really a smile.

"Honestly, I used to be jealous of you.

"We're both daughters of Alphas. So why are you the one who gets to inherit a pack?

"But the more I learned about Westmere, the more I realized you're just a figurehead. Evan's the one who really runs this pack."

I tilted my head, confused.

"Did you come up with that yourself, or did somebody tell you?"

Winona curled her lip.

"As if I need anyone to tell me. I've seen it for myself.

"Everything in Westmere, from dealing with other packs to settling the smallest arguments between wolves, goes through Evan. Every single thing.

"On the rare occasion Evan can't make a decision, he goes straight to the Alpha. Isn't it obvious? Even your own father trusts Evan more than he trusts you."

Then, out of nowhere, she laughed.

"And your father arranged for Evan to mate with me instead of some ordinary she-wolf.

"I'm the Emberwind Alpha's daughter. Only an Alpha is worthy of being my mate.

"I'm sure it won't be long before your father hands Westmere over to Evan for real. And when he does, I'll be Westmere's Luna."

I frowned.

"Evan is my assistant. The only reason he has that job is that I wave him through his review every year."

A look of contempt crossed Winona's face.

"You really think putting your seal on a piece of paper means you get to decide whether Evan stays or goes?

"Evan told me a long time ago. Your father only lets you review him as a formality, so you'll feel like you're part of things around here."

I pressed my lips together. I couldn't even put a name to what I was feeling.

I was the one who'd fought to keep Evan by my side. And this was what he really thought of me.

Winona must have thought I'd finally seen the light, because she let out a soft laugh.

She went to the computer, logged into the pack's security system, and deleted my fingerprint records one by one.

"See? From now on, you stay out of these places."

I looked over at the screen.

She'd revoked my access to all the pack's restricted areas.

"Did Evan tell you to do this?"

Winona dropped onto the couch and lounged back against the cushions.

"Evan and I are mates now. What he wants, what I want, what's the difference?

"What matters is that you don't go into those places anymore. Especially the treasury."

My voice went cold. "Winona, Westmere belongs to me. And every cent in that treasury is mine too."

Winona raised an eyebrow.

"Your money? Have you earned a single cent in all these years?

"If Evan weren't working himself to the bone running Westmere's business, do you think that money would just appear out of thin air?"

Watching her get so worked up on Evan's behalf, I kind of wanted to laugh.

She'd only just become Evan's mate, and she was already so sure she'd be the next Luna that she thought she could boss me around.

Before I could say anything, a she-wolf knocked on the door and handed Winona a thick ledger.

Winona flipped through it as she talked. "This lists every expense since you were six, from all the weapons you've worn out to the two riding outfits you had custom-made yesterday. Altogether, it comes to 85.3 million.

"I'll even let the loose change slide.

"Go ahead, check it yourself. I didn't overcharge you, did I?"

Ever since my wolf awakened, I'd had incredibly sharp eyesight.

One look was all I needed to see what she'd done. The ledger didn't just include what I'd spent on myself. She'd charged me for everything, from building the medical center to hosting the year-end banquets and even sending gifts to other packs.

Before I could say a word, she pulled out a photo.

"The Ironcrest Alpha is willing to give us ten territories if you become the mate of his younger son, Gareth Stone. I've already worked out how to use that land. Its value will cover exactly what you owe.

"Once your mating ceremony is over, I'll give you the ledger back, and we'll call it even."

I laughed, and there was nothing nice about it.

"Everybody knows Gareth wrecked both his legs in battle years ago. He can't even stand up. You really found me a great mate."

Winona stifled a laugh.

"Lorelei, you're spoiled and you're impossible. What normal male wolf could put up with you? Only a damaged wolf who'd have trouble finding a mate anyway would ever tolerate you."

I pushed the photo back to her.

"I'm the Alpha heir of the Westmere pack. Who I take as a mate is not your call."

She shot to her feet.

"Alpha heir? What have you ever done for Westmere? Do you even know who runs each part of the pack?

"Evan just has a soft spot for you, so he plays along to keep you happy!"

Then a sharp voice rang out from the doorway. "That's enough, Winona!"

It was Audrey Price.

Audrey had grown up with my mother. When my mother became Luna, Audrey naturally became her right hand.

Later, after I became Alpha heir, my parents started traveling all the time. Audrey didn't like leaving me on my own, so she stayed behind to look after me.

Audrey couldn't hold her tongue any longer.

"Winona, you've only just mated with Evan, Lorelei's assistant, so maybe you don't understand how things work here yet.

"Evan couldn't have done any of this without Lorelei's support. She's the one who gave him the chance to prove himself. He should be grateful, not tallying up her expenses."

Winona didn't care.

"Assistant? How long are you all going to keep lying to yourselves?

"Go look around. Does any other pack have an assistant? Everything Evan does is an Alpha's job.

"Evan has worked himself ragged for 13 years. You're a useless wolf, Lorelei. You can't do a thing. What gives you the right to live off his hard work?"

Audrey's face darkened with anger.

"Evan has been an assistant for 13 years because—"

"Are you done?"

Winona cut her off, annoyed. "It's always the same excuse. Don't you get tired of it?

"Guards, throw this old hag out!"

I shot a cold look at the guards outside the door when they moved to obey.

"I am the Alpha heir of the Westmere pack. Are you sure you want to betray me for the assistant's wife?"

The guards stopped in their tracks, their faces full of hesitation.

Winona's brows knitted together.

"Lorelei, I've been more than polite to you. Don't push me.

"I won't touch you, but I can still deal with one old hag!"

Her claws came out, and she swung hard at Audrey!

The next second, I had her wrist locked in my grip.

Pain flashed across Winona's face.

"How... how can you possibly..."