CHAPTER 4

Briar POV

I could hardly believe my ears. I was completely certain an Alpha as powerful as Logan Vance would make me wait months for a slot on his calendar, but he was arriving here in just forty-eight hours.

"That is incredible, Clara," I said, a sudden wave of anticipation washing over me. "But if he is traveling all this way to meet with Tristan, what is the official reason?" It was painfully obvious that his main goal wasn't to rescue me.

"I’m not entirely sure," Clara replied over the line. "He just mentioned a formal security and trade meeting with Alpha Tristan, but he promised he would pull you aside while he's on-site."

A tiny spark of joy flared in my chest. This was the perfect opening. I could finally use his influence to reclaim the Shadowvale pack assets and exit this toxic marriage with my head held high. "I can't thank you enough, Clara. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Oh, stop it!" Clara laughed warmly. "I just wish I could be there to see you. Unfortunately, my brother has forced me to attend a boring regional gala in his place this weekend."

"Why you? Shouldn't his Luna be handling those kinds of official events?" I asked.

Clara let out a heavy sigh. "Logan completely refuses to settle down or choose a partner. He’s thirty years old and still holding out for a true fated mate. I’ve dropped hints a thousand times for him to just select a high-ranking she-wolf, but he won't budge."

I chuckled softly. It seemed the ruthless Alpha of the Frostfang pack really did live up to his reputation. "I understand. Well, thank you again, Clara. I really wish we could have caught up in person."

"We will soon, girl! Good luck with everything. Talk to you later!" she said cheerfully before hanging up.

For the first time in weeks, a glimmer of hope returned. If he was arriving in two days, I needed to gather all my financial records and map out my strategy immediately. I spent the entire afternoon locked in my room, drafting a bulletproof breakdown of how my father's pack was absorbed and how much wealth I had personally generated for Silvercrest. Since Mabel was the only one with access to my room, I knew I wouldn't be interrupted. My only real stressor was figuring out how to speak with Alpha Logan without Tristan watching my every move.

I kept waiting for Tristan to call and mention the high-profile visit, but my phone remained completely silent.

The next morning, he abruptly walked into my quarters right after his early warrior drills. I had just stepped out of the bath and was pinning up my hair when the door opened.

"Briar," he said, his tone flat and detached.

I turned around slowly. Under normal circumstances, seeing him stand there in nothing but his training shorts—his chiseled physique on full display—would have immediately drawn me to him. But now, with the mate bond rotting away like an open wound, the physical attraction was completely dying. I felt absolutely nothing but cold indifference.

"Yes, Tristan?" I replied, fixing an earring into place.

As the Alpha, it was his duty to inform his Luna about hosting a VIP guest for dinner. I waited for him to invite me.

He shifted his weight, looking slightly defensive. "Logan Vance arrives tomorrow. I've decided that Genevieve will be accompanying me to all the welcoming ceremonies and dinners, not you."

I froze, staring at him in utter disbelief. "What are you talking about? I am the legal Luna of this pack. She is nothing more than your mistress."

His jaw tightened, and he looked away uncomfortably. "Genevieve is carrying my pup. It is vital that the pack begins to see her as a prominent figure by my side. Besides, the main event is a formal banquet. Who would you even walk in with? I will be entirely focused on Genevieve, and it will just look embarrassing for you." He shook his head coldly. "You're staying in your room. You are not permitted to attend."

Without giving me a chance to respond, he turned on his heel and walked out, slamming the door.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails bit into my palms. There was absolutely no way I was going to sit upstairs like a prisoner and let this massive opportunity pass me by. If I wanted to save my future, I needed an escort to get me into that banquet hall.

Genevieve was systematically stealing my pack and my position piece by piece. If I let her stand by Tristan’s side in front of Alpha Logan, my standing would be permanently ruined.

Driven by frustration, I headed downstairs to get some coffee. As I neared the dining area, I caught the sound of Genevieve speaking with one of the household omegas.

"Miss Genevieve," the young maid, Nancy, murmured as she set down a breakfast tray. "The luxury stylist has just arrived at the front gate to see you."

"Perfect, Nancy. Direct her up to my suite immediately," Genevieve replied smoothly.

"You look absolutely radiant already, Miss Genevieve," Nancy added, clearly trying to flatter her.

Genevieve let out a sharp, arrogant laugh. "Alpha Logan Vance is the most formidable leader on the continent. Tristan explicitly told me last night that he expects me by his side the entire time the Frostfang delegation is here. I have to look absolutely flawless to make a stunning impression."

"Of course, ma'am. It's wonderful to have you running the house again," Nancy smiled.

My blood ran cold. So Genevieve knew about the visit a full day ago, and Tristan had purposely kept me in the dark until this morning just to humiliate me. Every single hour, they were trying to make me feel small and powerless.

But this situation required cold intelligence, not emotional outbursts. I forced my anger down, quietly retreated back up the stairs, and dialed Gamma Roland’s number.

"Luna Briar?" Roland answered on the first ring.

"Roland, do you have the official schedule for tomorrow’s VIP arrival?" I asked, completely skipping the pleasantries. I knew it risked making me look uninformed, but there was no point in hiding the reality of my broken marriage from a loyal ally.

There was a long, uncomfortable pause on the line before he cleared his throat. "Yes, Luna. I have the itinerary."

"Good. I need you to act as my personal escort to the welcoming banquet tomorrow night."

Without waiting for his shocked response, I ended the call. I walked straight over to my wardrobe and pulled out the most exquisite, heavy silk gown I owned. If I was going to walk into that room and change the course of my life, I had to look commanding.

The following morning, a sudden rumble drew me to my bedroom window. I parted the sheer curtains and watched in sheer amazement as a massive convoy of ten pristine, armor-plated black SUVs swept down our long driveway.

Dozens of high-ranking Frostfang elite guards, all dressed in immaculate black tactical uniforms, instantly stepped out of the escort vehicles. They formed a strict, impenetrable security corridor around the central luxury vehicle. My breath caught in my throat as the rear door opened, and Alpha Logan Vance stepped out onto the gravel.

He was striking. With midnight-black hair and a starkly sharp, chiseled jawline, he stood a full head taller than his guards. He possessed an overwhelmingly intense, predatory aura that seemed to completely dominate the entire courtyard.

It felt as though his mere presence sucked the oxygen right out of the air.

As he stepped forward, he casually lowered his dark sunglasses and tilted his head upward, looking directly at the main house. Specifically, at my window.

Our eyes locked instantly—my vibrant green gaze meeting his piercing, golden-hazel stare. A sudden, electric shock rippled down my spine, making me gasp. Feeling strangely exposed, I quickly stepped back, letting the heavy curtain fall into place. My heart was pounding frantically against my ribs like a trapped bird trying to break free.

Down below, Tristan’s voice boomed across the yard. "Welcome to Silvercrest, Alpha Logan."

Steeling myself, I peeked through a tiny gap in the fabric.

"Alpha Tristan," Logan greeted him back, his voice a deep, resonant baritone that carried a subtle edge of command.

"Allow me to introduce Genevieve," Tristan said proudly, gesturing to the woman at his side.

A flush of secondary shame hit my cheeks as I watched from above.

Logan didn't even look at her. Instead, his golden eyes scanned the empty entryway. "Where is your Luna?" he demanded coldly.

Tristan visibly flinched at the abrupt question, clearing his throat nervously. "She... she is currently indisposed. Unwell."

"And so you brought a mistress out to greet the head of the Alpha Council?" Logan growled, his aura flaring with visible displeasure. "Do you find amusement in disrespecting my rank, Alpha Tristan?"

Tristan swallowed hard, completely intimidated by the larger man's strict adherence to diplomatic protocol. "Alpha Logan, I assure you, it’s not—"

"I don't have time for this," Logan cut him off ruthlessly. "Take me directly to the mastermind behind your territory's Silver Harvest Initiative. We will conclude our business, and I will be leaving immediately."

A cold shudder ran straight down my spine. The Silver Harvest Initiative was the agricultural business project I had personally designed and implemented to save this pack's economy from bankruptcy. It had boosted our revenue by millions and completely transformed our lands. He wanted to see *me*.

Looking back out the window, I watched as a thoroughly embarrassed and crimson-faced Genevieve was left standing outside in the dirt with the common sentries, while both Alphas marched into the house.

A sharp, victorious smile spread across my face. Finally, Genevieve was learning exactly where she stood.