CHAPTER 16

 

Lana’s POV

I stood by my window, scheming and calculating in me head, then I noticed Michael but he soon disappeared into the back seat of his car like some mysterious god off to wage another war. His driver, Mark, rounded the vehicle quickly and slid into the front seat. Seconds later, the engine purred to life, and the car eased out of the estate gates.

Good.

He was gone.

And not for just a few hours.

A few days.

I turned to my girls, they were both leaning on the balcony railing with me, sipping coffee like this was just another morning. But I could see it in their eyes: they were waiting for me to make the first move.

“He’ll be gone for three, maybe four days,” I said, swirling my cup, watching the steam rise and fade into the cool morning air. “Council business. His father practically dragged him away.”

“And he just left her here?” Asha asked.

“Please. Of course he did. That stray has him so twisted, he doesn’t even realize what a mistake he’s made bringing her into this house.” I scoffed before answering.

“You don’t think he’s doing it on purpose? Maybe he’s...” Kaylin began before I cut her off.

“No, If he were going to crown her Luna, he would have said it. No announcement. No ceremony. No ring. She’s a placeholder. A curiosity. A passing phase.” I defended.

I let the lie sit on my tongue like sugar.

Of course, I’d seen the way he looked at her. The way he carried her like she was something precious. Like she meant something.

It made my skin crawl.

But I wasn’t about to let my friends see that.

I wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

“She’s starting to get comfortable,” I said after a beat, setting my cup down. “Wandering the halls like she owns the place. Smiling at staff. Acting like she belongs.”

Asha rolled her eyes. “She barely even brushes her hair.”

“And did you see what she wore yesterday?” Kaylin added, scrunching her nose. “Who wears a man’s shirt like it’s a damn gown?”

I smiled again, wider this time. That slow, deliberate kind of smile I only ever wore when I was about to rip someone’s life apart.

“Well,” I said, clapping my hands together. “It’s time we remind her where she really stands, don’t you think?”

They nodded, already energized.

“But,” I added, holding up a finger, “we’re not going to scream at her. We’re not going to throw drinks. We’re not going to slap her across the face…”

“Aw,” Asha pouted, “no slapping?”

“Not yet,” I replied with a wink. “Today, we play it sweet.”

Kaylin caught on first. “You want to be her friend.”

“Exactly,” I said, already heading back inside. “The little rat’s looks traumatized. She’s jumpy, paranoid, looking over her shoulder. But when she thinks she’s safe…”

“…she lets her guard down,” Asha finished, smiling darkly.

“Let’s go,” I said. “Time to welcome her to the house.”

---

It wasn’t hard to find her.

She was in the reading room… Michael’s favorite space, she was curled up in a chair beside the massive arched window. She wore a soft cream sweater that swallowed her tiny frame and leggings that looked like they’d been picked out in a hurry.

Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, and she was holding a mug like it was her last connection to sanity.

“Hi, Audrey,” I called out sweetly and stepped into the room.

Her head jerked up, startled. Wide blue eyes blinked behind long lashes, and for a second, I saw her trying to decide if she should run.

Don’t worry, sweetheart. That’s coming later.

But not today.

“Lana,” she said slowly and guarded.

“We didn’t get a chance to talk last time,” I said, motioning for Kaylin and Asha to wait by the door. I crossed the room slowly, like I wasn’t the woman who had called her trash in front of half the estate just days ago.

“I wanted to apologize,” I said, softening my voice. “I was… upset. You showing up like that… it surprised me. I was out of line I know.”

Her brows knitted. “You called me trash.”

“I know.” I pressed a hand to my chest like I actually gave a damn. “It was awful of me. I can’t imagine what you must’ve thought. But I was angry at Michael, not you. I thought he had brought you here to humiliate me. I was wrong.”

She didn’t respond right away, but her grip on the mug loosened just a little.

I tilted my head. “May I sit?”

A moment passed before she nodded.

I took the seat beside her and let silence settle for a beat. Then, with my best smile, I reached out and gently touched her hand.

“I would like us to start over.”

She flinched slightly, but didn’t pull away.

“I don’t have many real friends in the pack,” I continued. “Everyone sees me as Daniel’s puppet. And Michael’s… whatever. But I’m more than that.”

Lies, all of it.

“I’ve had my fair share of pain too,” I said. “You don’t get to live in this world without bleeding a little.”

Her eyes flicked to mine, and I saw it the flicker of something softening.

Perfect.

“So,” I said, leaning back a little, casual, sweet, trustworthy, “I was thinking of organizing a little spa day tomorrow. Just the girls. Face masks, massages, maybe a swim. Something light. Fun. Just us girls.”

I could feel Kaylin and Asha watching from the hallway, waiting to see if I will crack.

But I didn’t.

I gave Audrey the warmest, most sincere smile I had ever faked.

“You should come,” I said gently. “I think it would help you settle in.”

“I…” she hesitated, chewing her bottom lip. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Michael said…”

“Michael isn’t here,” I said quickly, then softened my tone again. “I mean… he’s not. And I’m sure he would want you to make friends. We’ll take care of you.”

“Are… are you sure?” she asked, her voice still full of doubt.

I reached out and touched her arm again. “Of course. Consider this my peace offering.”

She gave a small, uncertain nod. “Okay… I guess.”

Inside, I grinned like a wolf.

Outside, I kept my expression soft.

“Perfect,” I said, standing. “I’ll have someone send you the details. It’ll be fun, I promise.”

I turned to leave, motioning for the girls to follow. As we walked down the hallway, Kaylin leaned close and whispered, “You’re evil.”

“No,” I whispered back, smiling. “I’m patient.”

Asha laughed under her breath. “Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” I confirmed. “We make her feel like one of us.”

“And then?” Kaylin asked.

I smiled wider, my voice as smooth as silk.

“And then we remind her she’s not.”