Chapter 3

I tightened my grip until her wrist was close to breaking.

"I've been going into battle with my father since I was eight. I've killed more wolves than I can count.

"Whenever I trained in front of you, I held back so I wouldn't scare you. But you shouldn't have gone after my people."

Her face twisted in pain. She couldn't even get a word out.

Then a startled, uncertain voice came from the doorway. "Lorelei, what are you doing?"

Evan rushed in.

"What happened?

"If Winona upset you somehow, I'll apologize for her."

He was being reasonable enough, so I let go.

Winona immediately held up her bruised wrist and complained to Evan.

"Evan, it hurts so much. My wrist feels like it's about to break..."

Evan looked at her with concern. When he looked up at me, his expression turned disapproving.

"Lorelei, whatever Winona did wrong, you shouldn't treat her like this."

I scoffed. "She asked for it.

"She revoked my fingerprint access to all the pack's restricted areas. She says I owe you 85 million, and she wants me to mate with Gareth from the Ironcrest pack so she can use their territories to settle the debt.

"She even tried to have Audrey kicked out of the pack! Audrey practically raised both of us. She's like a mother to us. So tell me, didn't Winona deserve what she got?!"

Evan's face darkened.

"Winona, did you really say all that?"

Winona bit her lip.

"Was I wrong?"

She grabbed the ledger and flipped it open.

"For 13 years, you've run everything in this pack. What has she done? All she ever thinks about is having fun. She's never done a single day of real work. What makes her fit to be Alpha heir?

"And every year you need her stamp just to keep your job. You've been playing along with this act for years. It's so unfair to you."

I spread my hands.

"You don't get to decide whether I'm fit. Look down on me all you want. I'm still the Alpha heir of Westmere. And I'm the only one who decides whether Evan keeps his job as my assistant."

She gritted her teeth.

"Evan, did you hear that? She actually thinks she's the Alpha heir."

Evan frowned, his expression hard to read.

Winona stamped her foot.

"You told me yourself. The Alpha made it perfectly clear to you that the assistant's review is just a way to keep her happy.

"You've humored her for 13 years. Isn't that enough?"

Evan's expression wavered.

So that was what he really believed too.

I asked him straight out, "Evan, do you really think the annual review is just there to keep me happy?"

Evan pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Lorelei, some things don't need to be spelled out.

"I'm three years older than you. I'm your cousin. I don't mind humoring you.

"But who takes over the pack is a serious matter. I have Alpha blood too. The Alpha personally put me in charge of pack business so that one day I could take over."

I looked at Evan and suddenly felt like I'd never known him at all.

"Winona revoked my fingerprint access, and you're fine with that?"

Evan's voice was flat. "You don't handle anything anyway."

"And her making me pay you back?"

"Winona just wants you to break your habit of throwing money around."

"And Audrey?"

"Winona is my wife and the future Luna. Audrey disrespected her, so it's only fair she gets punished."

"She also wants me to mate with Gareth. You know what shape he's in."

Evan hesitated.

"It's just a first meeting.

"I'm sure Winona only wants what's best for you."

I suddenly laughed.

"Fine. Then bring Gareth here. If I like him, he can stay in Westmere."

Evan frowned.

"Lorelei, there are rules between packs. When wolves from two packs mate, the female goes to live in the male's pack.

"If you're going to miss Westmere, you can come back and visit often. But once you're mated, you'll be living in Ironcrest."

In that moment, I couldn't fool myself anymore.

Evan knew perfectly well that as Westmere's Alpha heir, I wasn't the one who'd move. Whoever I mated with would come live with me.

And yet here he was, telling me to go live in another pack. He had never truly seen me as the Alpha heir.

I looked him dead in the eye.

"So you agree with Winona? You think I'm heir in name only and don't do a thing for the pack?"

He sighed.

"Lorelei, you've been spoiled your whole life. The Alpha and the Luna adore you. That won't change when I take over.

"You can still have fun every day and just focus on being happy. But you have to respect Winona."

I laughed.

"All I do is have fun?

"So was it you who conquered the 23 territories Westmere gained last year? Did you force those six packs to surrender?"

Evan froze.

Winona looked me up and down.

"Don't tell me you're taking credit for that. Sure, you're strong, but you think you can fight a war?!

"Give me a break. I've heard all about it. Westmere has a fierce elite war band. Those warriors put their lives on the line out there, and you want to steal their credit too?"

Evan's expression softened a little.

"Come on, Lorelei. Everyone knows you're the Alpha's daughter. Even if you went into battle, you'd have people assigned to protect you.

"There's no need to bring all that up."

Seeing how certain they both were, I suddenly didn't have the energy to argue.

They'd already decided I was useless. Nothing I said would change that.

I changed the subject.

"Evan, have you forgotten? The New Year review is coming up.

"What if I don't pass you?"

Winona burst out laughing.

"Lorelei, you still don't get where you stand, do you?"

Evan looked exasperated.

"Okay, Lorelei. If you want to play, I'll play along. But this is the last time."

Winona looked smug.

"Got it now? The assistant's review only happens because your cousin is willing to humor you."

I looked down and laughed.

"Fine.

"Be there in three days."

Evan thought I'd finally come around. He reached out to ruffle my hair, but I dodged him.

His hand froze for a few seconds. Then he smiled.

"I get it. This is a lot to take in right now.

"I'll give you time. But Audrey crossed the line today. She has to go to the training camp to be disciplined."

I didn't answer.

He took that as a yes.

After he left, Soren Webb, our Beta, heard what had happened and hurried over.

"Ms. Hale, are you really going to send Audrey away?"

Audrey pressed her lips together and said nothing.

I let out a short, hard laugh.

"Evan doesn't get to decide what happens to my people.

"For this year's review, I want every manager and every Elder in the pack in the meeting room."

Soren's eyes went wide.

"But isn't it always Evan who meets with them?"

I looked up, perfectly calm.

"Evan won't be my assistant much longer."