Chapter Eighty-Four

“It is Ains. I was your best friend, and I turned my back on you. You needed me. You called me, and I ignored you. I did it at first because I was hurt that you left. I didn’t understand why you had to run away.”

“You know why I did it.” My mom sounded a little defeated as she said it.

“Soon, I think everyone will find out the truth, and I just hope that when that happens, you will forgive me.” Ronnie bowed to the ground and touched his head to the cement at her feet.

“Get up. I’m not your luna anymore. Whoever Gavin married is your luna now.” She pulled Ronnie to his feet and looked away. “Please don’t upset her because of me.”

“Ainsley. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a new luna to the Silvermoon pack.” Ronnie kissed her hand and then dropped it, leaving her stunned. He nodded my way once and then turned back to the car, slipping behind the wheel and leaving.

“What?” My mom turned to me, but I refused to meet her eyes.

“Let’s go in.” I gestured to my home. “I’ll introduce you to the Alpha.”

Chapter Eighty-Five

I pushed the door open, and a feeling of dread settled in my stomach. What happened if this didn’t work? What would I do?

You can always reject him. Nix tossed out.

I scoffed as I dragged my stuff in. “Yeah, like rejecting an alpha would go over well.”

“Rejecting an alpha? Who would be that stupid?” Alpha Vince’s voice sent a shiver down my spine. I thought I would have more than one second before I had to face him, but how was I to know he was waiting by the door?

“Some wolves prefer a lower-rank mate, or freedom, compared to the duties and responsibilities that come with mating an Alpha. Specifically, Alphas that follow some of the older laws,” Lynn cut in, saving me but painting a target on her back.

“You mean weak and stupid she-wolves?” His scoff had me rolling my eyes before I could stop it, but thankfully, I had my face settled before I turned the corner into the living room.

“Alpha Vince. I didn’t expect you here to welcome me back home. I would have brought Gamma Lynn to meet you as soon as we dropped our luggage off here.” I gave a polite smile as I pushed my suitcase further into the room, letting Lynn and my mother follow closely behind me. I gestured toward the staircase and turned to head up. “We will be right down.”

“Nonsense. Come here and greet your alpha.” His voice cut in and stopped me in my tracks. Nix’s back bristled as he tried to command me, but his alpha wolf was weaker than my own.

I slowly turned with straight shoulders. I faced Vince with the polite smile still on my lips. “Sure.”

I watched Vince’s eyes tighten when he realized his command had failed. I looked over at Lynn, who was wavering under his aura. Lynn bowed her head. “Alpha Vince, I am here on a mate visa, so the command is unnecessary.” His words were short, and I raised a brow as I turned back.

“Alpha Vince. Your aura and your alpha command are making the others in the room uncomfortable, including your son.” I pointed out that everyone else was sweating, but still on their feet, except for Shannon, who was already on her knees.

His eyes closed a little as his aura increased. Morgan hit his knees, as did Lynn. My mother hit the wall but was still standing. Brandon dropped to one of his knees, and Shannon was almost flat on the ground. “Impressive.” Alpha Vince increased the pressure again, but I was losing my patience.

“Alpha Vince. Is there a reason you are pushing so much power out?” I looked him in the eye and let my voice drop as I stepped up to him. I leaned over and whispered directly into his ear. “I would caution against measuring your power against mine. It would be embarrassing to be dropped on your ass by an alpha female who just had her first shift, wouldn’t it?” I pulled back and met his eyes again. I let Nix come forward and flash in my eyes. He wasn’t strong enough to make me bow down.

If looks could kill, Vince’s look would have struck me down in that moment. But he wasn’t strong enough to take me on, and now he knew it for sure. He stepped back and laughed. “Just a little test. No harm, no foul.” He clapped me on my shoulder, and his face was filled with mirth as he turned back to everyone else.

But I saw his true feelings. He wanted me dead now. But I was safe for now. Everyone got back to their feet and laughed along with him. No one was stupid enough to say what really happened. But from the looks on my mother’s and Lynn’s faces, they knew exactly what just happened, and they were terrified.

“Alpha, thank you for coming to my home.” Morgan recovered first. He rushed over to the little bar table he had and came back with two whiskeys. He handed one to Vince and took a deep gulp from his own.

Chapter Eighty-Six

Watching the two interact was so jarring after spending the summer with my dad. Ronnie and my father were best friends, and they act like it. But Vince and Morgan were completely different. Their relationship was superior and subordinate through and through. I couldn’t even tell if they were friends, like they pretended to be.

“Oh Morgan, it’s my pleasure.” Vince turned back to his son and waved his hand. “You know Brandon is sure your girl is his mate.”

I turned to Shannon and smiled and clapped. “Oh yay. You are officially mates. When is the mating ceremony?” I played stupid and rushed over to Shannon’s side. I picked her off the ground and grabbed her arm. “I’m so happy for you.” But Shannon glared at me, and the room was dead silent. I turned to face everyone staring at me.

“He meant you, Amy.” My mother’s voice was soft.