Chapter 4

Winona was very pleased with herself over the next few days.

I'd sent Audrey away for a little break, but Winona thought I'd actually sent her off to be punished.

She wasted no time replacing Westmere's key staff with her own relatives.

Then she strutted into my private vault and helped herself.

I shut my door and pretended I didn't know.

But she still wouldn't leave me alone.

She showed up at my room with a few people and announced that since I'd be moving in with my mate sooner or later, there was no need for me to hog such a big room.

It had the best view in the place, she said. It would be perfect for the kids she and Evan would have someday.

I couldn't be bothered to fight her, so I just handed it over.

What Winona didn't know was that everything she was taking now, she'd pay back several times over.

On New Year's morning, Evan showed up right on time.

He'd brought a new contract.

"Lorelei, sign this.

"Like we agreed, this is the last time. I've replaced the usual annual contract with one that lasts a lifetime.

"If you want to keep playing this game, I'll let you keep your title as Alpha heir until you're mated."

I glanced at the contract, then looked up at him.

"Is that really what you think? That every year when I stamp your review, you're just humoring me?"

Evan's face darkened.

"Lorelei, do you really want me to spell it out?

"I'm the one who's run Westmere all these years. You've never handled a single thing. Everyone knows it."

Winona, right behind him, laughed.

"Evan only plays this silly game with you because he thinks of you as his little sister. You're an adult now. Time to face reality.

"Don't push your luck just because Evan has a soft spot for you."

She shoved the contract in front of me.

"Hurry up and sign. Unlike you, some of us have real work to do."

I kept my voice even. "Let's wait until everyone's here."

Before long, all 11 of Westmere's Elders and all 129 managers had arrived.

Evan looked a little surprised, but he quickly found an explanation that suited him.

"Lorelei's finally growing up. She knows today is the official handover of power. It's good to have all the pack's leaders here to witness it."

Soren, the Beta leading the group, came over carrying my seal and a roster.

"Ms. Hale, per the contract, Evan's term as assistant has ended.

"Please choose your assistant for this year."

Winona's smile froze.

Evan frowned.

"Soren, what are you talking about?"

Soren didn't even look at him.

There were more than 100 wolves in that room, and every one of them was looking at me.

Evan thought he was the only one who'd done anything for the pack all these years. But I had also earned the respect of the Betas and Elders on my own merits.

Soren went on, "Ms. Hale, the candidates are all waiting outside for your decision."

Evan rushed up to me.

"What candidates? Why didn't I know about this?"

I opened the roster, picked up a pen, and crossed out Evan's name.

"You said you were only playing along all these years, didn't you?

"Well, you won't have to anymore."