Chapter 2

Florence POV: Even Her Father Too?

"Dad," I ask, gaping at him. "What celebration?"

John Patton looks at me, his brow furrowing in confusion. "For your sister, of course. She was just chosen by the incoming Alpha as his mate and Luna. What are you talking about? Aren't you happy for Irene?"

I stare at him, unable to believe the words coming out of my father's mouth. I look past him, desperate for someone else to look as horrified as I feel, but the rest of the crowd seems to have adjusted with terrifying speed. 

Pack members are already pairing off, couples gliding gracefully over to the dance floor. They're forming a swirling, rich circle around the next Alpha and the next Luna of the pack.

I force a passive, empty smile, my mind completely numb. It still feels like a dream. It has to be.

I shake my head, but my dad just pats my shoulder dismissively.

He says, "Now, Florence, you and your brothers need to get back to the house and make the preparations. People are coming over after the ceremony—"

"Dad," I interrupt, pointing a trembling finger toward the dancefloor. "That's Jason."

He looks across the hall, watching the way Jason handles Irene's waist. "Yes, it is."

"My boyfriend," I whisper.

My father’s head snaps back, a look of bewilderment on his features. "Your what? Jason? Now, now, Florence, he belongs to your sister, Irene. Don't make bad jokes like that. Not tonight." 

“Dad . . .” 

He sighs and says, "I need to go find your mother and dance."

He floats off toward the crowd like a fool, and I can only watch him go. He strides right up to Penny, takes her hand with a proud grin, and the two of them glide out to the floor to join the celebratory dance around Irene and Jason.

"The whole damn pack has gone mad," Shawn mutters, his fists clenching.

"Is this even normal?" Todd asks, looking back and forth from me to the dancefloor. "Dad didn't know you and Jason were mates? Didn't you tell him?"

I look at Todd, my chest aching so acutely I can barely breathe. "Dad knows."

"Now, guys, let's not stay here and bicker," Tony says. "We must do as Dad says. Let's go home and get the party started."

He reaches out, taking my cold hand in his, trying to gently guide me toward the exit. But I won't move. My heels feel glued to the polished floor. I stand there, staring through the shifting wall of bodies performing the traditional Luna’s Waltz around Jason and his fake bride. Jason is gazing into Irene's eyes, completely absorbed in her.

I blink back hot tears and my grip slacken. My brothers pull me away, ushering me out into the cool morning air.

But going home is a mistake.

The moment I step inside our old country house, the sprawling, creaking house that has belonged to my mother's family for two generations, the fragile barrier holding me together breaks. 

I cover my face with both hands and weep.

My brothers immediately halt in the foyer, standing in a clumsy semi-circle in front of me. They just stare. I've never cried like this before. 

Growing up with three boys, all we ever did together was laugh, roughhouse, and make fun of each other. We were a fortress. Until our dad took Penny as his wife, and she brought Irene into our lives, making her our stepsister.

At first, I was thrilled. It was good to have a sister. I thought I finally had a confidante. But looking back at the slow, calculated way she and Penny wormed their way into our lives, it's not so good anymore. What happened this morning isn't just a misunderstanding, it's a terrifying betrayal I still dont understand.

My sobbing doesn't last long. I sniffle, wiping my damp cheeks, and drop my hands to look at my three brothers. They are staring at me nervously, a collective cloud of confusion and helplessness in their eyes.

"We didn't know what to do," Tony admits.

"I mean, I've never seen you cry before, Flor," Shawn says. He looks eager for a distraction, his jaw tightening. "You know . . . maybe Jason just needs some knocking about. He needs someone to knock the sense back into his thick head."

"Shut up, Shawn," Tony chides, shooting him a warning look. "That's the next Alpha. You wouldn't stand a chance against him."

"I won't alone," Shawn retorts, looking at Todd and then back to Tony. "But together? Me, you, and Todd? I bet we can take him."

"Stop it, guys!" I yell.

I barge right through the middle of them, pushing past Shawn’s shoulder, and head straight for the stairs in the direction of my room. 

I hear them marching right after me and I spin around on the bottom landing to look at them. Their wide, anxious eyes stare up at me. They freeze in their tracks.

"I need to be alone."

"But, Florence—" Tony starts.

"Tony!" I cut him off. 

Tony holds up his hands in surrender and sighs. "Okay. Guys, let's go get the house ready for the guests."

I turn and drag myself up the rest of the stairs, each step feeling like I'm lifting lead weights. I reach my bedroom, slip inside, and shut the door behind me. I press my back against it and try to breathe.

I rub my eyes, shake my head sideways, over and over, as if a violent enough motion could wake me up from this nightmare. But the room remains the same. My red dress still clings to my skin.

"Oh god," I groan aloud.

The anger drains out of me all at once, leaving behind a gaping void. I stumble across the floor and fall into my bed. I bury my face in the pillows to weep for real this time, where nobody can see me break.