Chapter 2

Charles’s face hardened into a mask of fury.

"Naomi, what is that supposed to mean?"

I shrugged. "Exactly what it sounds like. I don't have a crush on you. Don't flatter yourself."

He stared at me for a long moment, as if searching for a fracture in my composure.

"Fine," he finally spat.

The mating contract was signed. Victoria transferred a one-million-dollar deposit to my father on the spot, with the remainder promised after Charles regained his wolf.

My father and stepmother were ecstatic, praising Quinn for her foresight.

But over the next few days, their anxiety for Quinn began to mount.

Father cornered me in the hallway. "Naomi, are you certain there’s nothing in your grandmother's healing knowledge that can help Charles?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

My stepmother sneered from the sidelines. "Stop pretending. You're just bitter that Quinn married the man you love! She's still your sister. How can you stand by and do nothing?"

I looked at their greedy faces, the memory of them watching me die rising like bile in my throat.

"Quinn said it herself. She has a healer. Let her handle it."

My stepmother’s face flushed with rage. "You ungrateful brat! After all these years we spent raising you, this is how you repay us?"

She abandoned all pretense. "If you're going to be so difficult, then get out!"

"We've done our part raising you. It's time you learned to stand on your own two feet."

Father nodded in agreement. "She's right. You're old enough to live on your own."

I knew this was coming.

"Fine. I'll be gone by morning."

My stepmother continued, her voice dripping with scorn, "With your prospects, you'll be lucky to find an Alpha. A beta from the local patrol would be a good match for you…"

I cut her off. "No need. I already have someone in mind."

"Who?" they demanded in unison.

"Harrison Williams."

The room fell dead silent.

My stepmother's eyes widened. "Are you talking about the Harrison Williams?"

"The one cursed by a witch ten years ago? The one who can't shift?"

My father shot to his feet. "Naomi, when did you even meet him? The Williams family may be powerful, but you can't marry a broken wolf like that!"

I sneered. "Didn't Quinn just marry one? And the Sterlings are nowhere near as powerful as the Williamses."

My stepmother, face mottled with anger, shot back, "Even with a broken heir, the Williams Pack would never accept a union with a manipulative she-wolf like you!"

"Is that so?" I said with a careless smile. "We'll see."

That night, I called Catherine.

"Aunt Catherine? It's Naomi. I'm willing to mate with Harrison."

Catherine's warm voice came through the phone. "That's wonderful, Naomi. I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow."

The next afternoon, I dragged my suitcase to the gates of a lavish residential complex on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

This was where Catherine had arranged an apartment for me.

As I reached the community gate, I saw a familiar black car parked on the street.

Charles was leaning on a cane, Quinn standing beside him.

Spotting me, Quinn pointed and shrieked, "See! I told you she'd come crawling!"

"Naomi, have you no shame? Charles already rejected you, and you're still chasing him?"

Onlookers began to gather, their whispers a low hum in the air.

Charles’s expression was thunderous. "Naomi, get back here! Stop embarrassing yourself!"

"Security, get her out of here!"

Two men in black suits advanced on me.

Just then, the community gate swung open.

Catherine stepped out and took the suitcase from my hand.

"Mr. Sterling," she said, her voice dangerously calm, "you have some nerve, trying to order my guest away."