Chapter 2

The next afternoon, I came home from my dress fitting and stopped in the living room.

Mom had brought out the bone china she kept locked away. Imported berries, cheese, pastries, and tea covered the table.

Tyler sat in the center of it all.

To them, Moonstone’s newly appointed Gamma was an impressive match. They had no idea Adrian was Northlake’s Alpha.

They had never even met him. They knew nothing beyond his name.

Whenever I suggested a family dinner, Mom waved me off.

“You’re getting bonded anyway. If you like him, that’s what matters.”

Tyler gave me a lazy nod when I walked in. He didn't even bother with hello.

Even a man who hadn't officially joined our family yet understood the rules of the Grey house: Selena was someone to impress. I was someone you could dismiss.

Selena waved me over. "Perfect timing. Dad's explaining what everyone's contributing to the ceremonies."

Dad cleared his throat and slid a deed across the table. "The three-story villa in Moonridge is yours. You and Tyler shouldn’t have to start your bonded life without a home of your own."

Our family had been among the first Moonstone wolves to leave the old forest settlement and build a life in the city. When pack land was redeveloped years ago, Mom and Dad received two downtown apartments and promised one to each twin. They had sold both and poured the money into Selena’s villa.

Noah set a new key fob on top of it. "And the SUV is from me. Better in the snow, plenty of cargo space, and useful when you have pups."

Selena squealed and threw herself into Tyler's arms. She waved the papers at him. "See? This is what it means to have a family behind you. You'd better never bully me."

Tyler kissed her forehead. "Who would dare hurt our princess?"

Everyone laughed.

I went to pour myself some water, but Mom stopped me. "Eve, you're the older sister. You should contribute too. What are you giving Selena?"

My grip tightened around the glass. "Before I buy her anything, I'd like to know what you're giving me for my ceremony."

The room fell silent.

Mom looked away. Dad took his time answering. "We aren’t made of money. The villa and the SUV went to Selena, so there isn’t much left for you."

"You have a solid career and a good salary. Her heart condition has made steady work difficult. There's no reason for you to compare yourself to her."

Noah's patience snapped first. "Don't make this awkward in front of Tyler. You've worked for three years. You must have savings. Give Selena fifty thousand dollars as a blessing for her new life."

I met Selena's gaze. "You've worked too. What are you giving me?"

Her eyes went red on command. One hand rose to her chest as her voice trembled. "I know I'm not as successful as you. If you think I'm such a burden, then forget it. I don't want anything from you."

Mom wrapped an arm around her at once. "How can you say that before her ceremony? You know stress is dangerous for her heart. Are you trying to make her sick?"

Then she held out her hand to me. "We'll be reasonable. Fifty thousand. Not a dollar less. Transfer it before the ceremony."

"What happens if I don't?"

I'd rarely refused them outright. Mom stared at me for several seconds before her expression turned hard.

"Then none of us will attend your ceremony. Walk into that hall with no family on the bride's side and see who gets humiliated."

The words raked through my chest like frozen claws.

Then I remembered the screenshot Adrian had sent the night before. It was a message from his mother, Helen.

[Helen: Eve can’t eat rich or greasy food, right? I learned an herb-roasted fish recipe. Would it look like I’m trying too hard if I made it for her? Also, does she prefer a soft pillow or a firm one? I want the Vancouver room ready before you arrive.]

I had saved it because, for the first time in my life, someone had remembered my needs before I had to beg.

My phone vibrated again.

[Adrian: You went quiet. Is your family asking you for something again?]

I looked across the room at Mom’s outstretched hand.

Adrian had never met them properly, yet he already understood them better than I wanted him to.

[Me: They want fifty thousand dollars for Selena.]

His reply came almost immediately.

[Adrian: Say no.]

[Me: They’ll refuse to attend our ceremony.]

There was a longer pause this time.

[Adrian: Eve, Northlake will fill every seat on your side of the hall if necessary.]

Then another message appeared.

[Adrian: But I know you still need to finish this your own way. I won’t interfere unless you ask me to.]

My throat tightened.

He could have ordered his guards to come for me. He could have used his position as Alpha to humiliate the Greys.

Instead, he gave me the choice they had denied me my entire life—and promised that whatever I chose, I would not face the consequences alone.

Mom wiggled her outstretched fingers. "Well? Did you hear me?"

"Yes. I’ll pay."

Fifty thousand dollars to buy my way out of a family that had spent twenty-five years charging me for the right to belong?

Honestly, it was a bargain.