Chapter 1

My father arranged the meeting with Adrian Vale because he wanted to see the man beneath the Alpha title.

Silver Ridge Pack was modest, but Adrian had taken control of it young and kept it stable. My father thought that might mean discipline, judgment, and ambition.

If Adrian knew I was the Alpha King's daughter, his manners would mean nothing. Every Alpha knew how to flatter royal blood, so I arrived at the Silver Ridge pack lodge as Isabella, without the Draven name and without Royal Guards at my side.

Adrian received me in a private dining room. He was polite at first, and for a few minutes, the meeting seemed ordinary.

The meeting barely had time to settle before the door opened without warning. A young woman in a red dress walked in, and Adrian stood at once.

"Molly, why are you here?"

Molly Veyne ignored him and stared at me instead. Her eyes moved over my Chanel dress, the custom Cartier watch at my wrist, the moonstone bracelet beside it, and the Hermès bag near my chair.

"So this is the woman you agreed to meet?" she asked.

Adrian frowned. "Molly."

She gave a soft laugh as she looked me over again.

"She dressed herself like a princess from the Royal Court. You really cannot see what she is doing?"

I set down my glass and asked, "What exactly am I doing?"

Molly folded her arms.

"Pretending to be highborn. Women like you always do the same thing. You cover yourself in luxury brands, act offended when questioned, then wait for an Alpha to offer protection, money, and eventually a Luna position."

Adrian caught her wrist.

"That is enough."

His voice was low, but it did not carry the weight of an order. He sounded as if he wanted to calm her, not stop her, and Molly did not step back.

I looked at Adrian. "Is this how Silver Ridge treats invited guests?"

Adrian turned to me with a strained expression.

"Isabella, this is Molly Veyne. We grew up together. A male wolf once used a false bloodline and a borrowed fortune to deceive her, so she reacts badly when someone appears to be using status to get close to an Alpha. Please do not take it personally."

His apology was directed at me, but his hand stayed around Molly's wrist.

"Molly's past does not give her the right to insult me in your territory."

Molly's face hardened.

"Insult you? I am warning him. You came here dressed like a princess and dripping in luxury brands because you want Adrian to think you are worth choosing."

I glanced at the bracelet on my wrist. It had belonged to my mother, and the royal mark hidden in the setting was too subtle for anyone below court rank to recognize.

Molly followed my gaze and smirked.

"Pink royal moonstone belongs in the Royal Court, not on a woman who came with no escort. Either that bracelet is fake, or some male wolf bought it for you after you smiled prettily enough."

I looked back at her. "You should be careful with what you accuse people of."

"Or what?" she asked. "Will you call the Alpha who paid for that bracelet and ask him to buy you another one?"

Adrian's jaw tightened, but he still did not make her apologize.

Instead, he said, "Molly is speaking harshly, but she is only worried that I might be used."

I gave a short laugh.

"She accused me of faking my birth, chasing your title, and selling myself to Alphas for money. You call that worry?"

He had no answer.

Molly stepped closer.

"If you had real status, you would not have arrived alone. Your family would have sent guards. Your pack would have sent notice. Adrian's elders would know who you were."

That was the one thing she had said correctly. My father had forbidden any notice from the Royal Court, and Silver Ridge had no idea who had entered its lodge.

I had no reason to explain that to her.

I picked up my bag and stood.

"Alpha Vale, this meeting is over."

Adrian rose as well.

"Isabella, there is no need to end things like this. Molly's words were too direct, but she meant no real harm."

I looked at him.

"She attacked me from the moment she entered the room, and you made excuses for her every time she opened her mouth."

His face went still.

Molly moved around the table and blocked my path.

"Leaving already?" she said. "That was quick for someone with nothing to hide."

"Move."

She looked down at my bag, then at my wrist. Before I could step past her, she grabbed my wrist hard enough to stop me.

"You can leave when you pay what you owe."

I looked at her hand. "What do I owe you?"

Molly lifted her chin.

"Compensation."