Chapter 4 Co-hosting Alpha Wives

Janet's POV

From across the dining hall, Liam poked his head out and scowled heavily at me. "I don't want the stray to watch me!"

"Liam!" Tiana chided lightly. "Janet doesn't have pups of her own, but I'm sure she’s perfectly capable of taking care of you. 

"Be a good alpha-pup, sweetheart. Don't make Mommy worry while she's working with Daddy."

Liam stared at me for a long moment, his young, gold eyes flashing with a strange, cunning glint. He said nothing further.

Margaret chimed in, "Yes, Janet. It will be an excellent opportunity for you to finally learn how to care for a high-born heir. 

“Besides, we're hosting the Luna Elite charity luncheon here at the estate in a few days. You can assist me in co-hosting the alpha-wives."

The luncheons were a staple of Eastfield’s upper-echelon packs.

A toxic breeding ground for wealthy Lunas to network, flash their jewelry, and assert dominance. 

I had always despised them, preferring the raw numbers of the boardroom.

Now, they were actively trying to keep me occupied. 

Underfoot. Out of the way of their grand expansion.

I raised a single, dangerous eyebrow. 

"Are you entirely sure you don't need my signature or my presence for the investment meetings with Northfield, Michael?"

Hearing the razor-sharp edge in my voice, Michael quickly softened his tone, trying to soothe my aura. 

"Janet, Dad is just thinking of what's best for the pack’s future."

"Right. Because what’s best for the pack’s future is sidelining the executive who has been flying between territories closing every major contract.

“And betting the entire Peterson legacy on a former foster omega who worked in basic ordinary entertainment and just rolled back into town."

I didn't bother hiding the dripping sarcasm in my tone.

Tiana smiled, completely unruffled as she adjusted her diamond. 

"Janet, we are just born of different blood. I may not be a corporate wolf, but I carry the Anderson lineage and deep connections in Northfield. 

“You... well, you grew up as an orphaned stray without a pack name. In this high-stakes arena, you simply cannot compete with true blood."

"Tiana is right," Clark said firmly, his alpha voice booming slightly to end the discussion. 

"She will be residing in the main manor from this evening onward." His tone left absolutely no room for negotiation.

"Janet, you will focus your efforts on minding Tiana’s son and assisting with the Luna luncheon."

I looked at them, really looked at the three wolves sitting across from me, and felt a profound sense of liberation. 

I didn't argue. I didn't bar Tiana from moving her things into the manor.

Instead, a slow, eerie calm washed over me as I offered a polite smile. 

"Fine. Good luck with your summit."

I truly hope they enjoy chasing Drake Richardson, I thought bitterly.

As for me? 

The idea of granting a single cent of Robinson Pack wealth to these ungrateful parasites was laughable. 

I’d rather throw my family's billions straight into a refinery.

I set down my fork with a soft click and excused myself upstairs.

Michael could clearly sense my sudden, chilling withdrawal.

A few minutes later, the heavy scent of cedarwood preceded him as he pushed open the door to our private quarters.

"Are you still angry, babe?" he murmured, his voice dropping into that gentle, submissive-taming register he always used. 

He stepped closer, attempting to wrap his arms around my waist. "We just think you've been pushing your wolf too hard in Northfield. 

“Take it easy for a few days, okay? Let us handle the heavy lifting."

I looked up at him, staring straight into those warm, sincere eyes that everyone in Eastfield praised. 

The same eyes that had fooled my inner wolf for five years into believing we shared a sacred, cosmic bond.

Now, looking at him, the illusion was completely dead. It just seemed utterly pathetic.

"I'm not angry, Michael." I pulled away from his touch smoothly, my voice entirely flat, stripped of all emotion. 

"If your father, an elder of the pack, has that much confidence in you and Tiana, I have absolutely no objections."

"Honey, "

Before he could attempt to manipulate me further, Liam’s high-pitched voice shattered the tension from the grand hallway.

"Daddy! I want this toy drone! Daddy, where are you? I want to fly this one right now!"

The heavy double doors swung open, and Liam bounced into the room, a sleek electronic toy gripped in his small hands. 

A sudden, sharp flash of panic cut across Michael’s face, quickly masked as he tried to subtly step away from me.

Tiana appeared gracefully in the doorway behind the pup, her hand resting on his shoulder, her expression carefully molded into a mask of sweet apology. 

"Oh, Janet... I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were in here with Michael."

"Don't worry about it at all, Tiana," I said evenly, crossing my arms as I gave them a cold, parting smile. "I'm clearly the one interrupting your private family time.”

Michael hurried to explain, his scent spiking with a sharp, anxious musk that made my nose twitch. 

"Janet, Liam's young and his father's pack duties keep him away. He just got confused."

"Is that right?" I let a shadow flicker across my face, deliberately suppressing my aura so I appeared small, vulnerable. 

"For a second there, I wondered if maybe my wolf was barren, and you wanted a pup so badly you let someone else's rogue-born child call you Alpha."