Chapter 2

Early the next morning, the harsh ring of my phone shattered the quiet of my bedroom.

I picked it up. Mia’s name was flashing on the screen with a barrage of texts.

"Hester, did you ask around or not? Do you even know what's happening to the Crescent Pack?"

"The pack's funds are completely dried up. We're about to be liquidated and auctioned off! We'll be homeless!"

"How can you be so cold-blooded? Even if you're mad at us, you can't just watch our territory get destroyed, right? You grew up here too!"

I read them expressionlessly, tossed my phone onto the passenger seat, and started my sports car.

Moral kidnapping. Mia’s favorite trick.

When she needs you, you're family and you're in it together.

When she doesn't, you're a worthless stepping stone.

On the road, I got a call from an old acquaintance.

It was Anna from the Crescent Pack. We used to be on okay terms.

She sounded indignant. "Did you know Mia was talking about you at a party a few days ago? It's been years and she's still not tired of it."

"Saying what?"

"She said... she said you ran away from home because you were insanely jealous of her and Felix, and because you were too humiliated after failing to become Chief Beta." Anna paused, probing carefully. "She also said that the night you left, you stood under Felix's window in the pouring rain, crying your eyes out all night. She said you still don't have a mate because you're obsessed with Felix and can't let him go."

I let out a short, cold laugh.

"Is that right?"

"Everyone's gossiping about you, saying you're so pathetic and lovesick. Hester, did you really..."

"She's still terrible at making up stories," I cut her off bluntly. "Felix isn't charming enough for me to stand outside for a whole night."

"But Mia made it sound so real..."

"I left in the middle of the night, and it was pouring rain. I didn't tell anyone, and no one saw me off. Who could have possibly seen me crying under his window in the dead of night?" My voice was ice. "Tell anyone who likes to gossip to stop flattering themselves."

I hung up just as I hit a red light.

I picked up my phone. The family group chat was exploding again.

Mia: "My sister won't even reply to my messages. Is she still hating me for stealing Felix? But you can't force love."

Mother: "How dare she! She's an ungrateful wretch! Her own sister is facing such a huge crisis, and not only does she refuse to help, she plays dead!"

Father: "Cold-blooded. Once Felix secures this alliance today, we won't accept her apology even if she begs!"

I looked at the screen full of accusations, feeling absolutely nothing.

This was my family.

The light turned green. I muted my phone and slammed on the gas.

Arriving at the Crimson Pack headquarters, I walked straight into my private top-floor elevator.

Every inch of territory here, every rule, was built by my own hands.

Pushing open the doors to my office, I found Marcus already waiting.

"Alpha." Marcus handed me a black coffee, looking a bit amused. "A personal call just came through the front desk and got forwarded to my office."

I walked behind my massive desk and sat down. "Who?"

"The caller claimed to be your sister. She was fishing for information about your position and demanded to speak with you."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Mia never changed.

Stubborn, manipulative, acting like the whole world should pay for her tears. She was used to stepping on everyone, especially me.

"How did you handle it?" I took a sip of the coffee.

"I told her we don't disclose personal information and hung up," Marcus replied crisply.

I nodded in satisfaction. "Are the Crescent Pack files ready?"

"Everything is right here." Marcus pushed a thick stack of documents toward me. "Also, Felix is already downstairs."

I flipped open the file, scanning the horrific financial data.

"Treat him by the book. No special treatment, but don't give them a reason to gossip, either."