Chapter 39
That morning. Scarlett came downstairs after washing up, only to find the dining room eerily quiet.
The breakfast table had already been set–steaming meats, warm bread, and freshly poured blood–orange tea–but Alpha Alaric, Luna Zara, and Kael were nowhere to be
Scarlett’s brows furrowed slightly. She turned to a housemaid standing nearby. “Where’s my father? And Kael? They didn’t come down yet?”
The maid responded promptly. “Alpha and the young Alpha left at dawn. Something urgent with the Northern Territory council. Luna Zara had a few bites, then left as well.”
Scarlett nodded absently. Her father and Kael had been constantly tied up with the approaching land tribunal concerning the contested,eastern ridge bordering the Stormridge Pack. But her mother leaving this early? That was strange.
“Did she say where she was going?”
The maid hesitated, “Not exactly. But… she took several chests from the vault. The ones holding her personal ceremonial bone relics. And a few Alpha–level crest accessories. Looked like she was heading toward the Nightfang Exchange.
Scarlett’s expression shifted.
The Nightfang Exchange was no ordinary market–it was where rare magical items, enchanted jewelry, and heirloom–level totems were traded or pawned, often for large sums,
Her mother pawning things? Her most prized Alpha–heirloom relics?
That didn’t make sense.!
Zara wasn’t one to part with her treasures, not even for internal Council politics.
Unless
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. A sinking feeling churned in her stomach.
Unless it was for Riley.
She left the estate at once, driving straight to the Lunar Crest Plaza, The Eastern Ridge auction gala was coming up in a few days, and she was scheduled to make a grand appearance. If Riley dared try and steal the spotlight–or worse, her family’s assets–Scarlett would make sure she was destroyed socially before that ever happened.
She stepped into one of the most exclusive designer halls in the city. A boutique reserved for the elite of the packs. The moment she entered, attendants rushed to greet her.
“Miss Scarlett! What a divine surprise. You’ve come at the perfect time. We’ve just received several custom gowns–fresh off the courier from the Parisian Pack Enclave. One of them is made entirely from whisper–silk and lunar thread. It’s practically singing your name.”
Scarlett smirked, preening slightly as she trailed her fingers over the delicate gowns shimmering under moonlight–filtered chandeliers.
She already pictured it–her arrival at the Eastern Ridge Gala jaws dropping, eyes burning with envy. She’d wear dominance like a second skin.
Finally, she chose a gown covered in black stardust crystal embroidery–dramatic, bold, lethal. Just like her.
As she was about to move to the fitting room, one of the staff suggested, “Miss, we also just acquired some high–tier accessories–claw–tipped culls, jeweled fang pendants, and a rare runed alpha brooch. They’d pair beautifully with your
Take me to them,” she said, already walking
When she reached the relic display wall, she froze.
Her eyes locked on a few pieces
sitting behind a velvet rope.
Bone–charmed bracelets. An old silver sigil crest. A ceremonial hairpin made from shadow antler.
All pieces she’d seen before.
Her mother’s.
Scarlett’s pupils dilated slightly. “These.. where did these come from?”
The staff, oblivious, replied casually, “Oh, those? A noble Luna came by earlier. She said she needed to trade in some private family items. Seemed urgent.”
Scarlet’s jaw tightened.
So it was true.
Zara had traded off her ancestral heirlooms–just to get money.
And now she was on her way to the hospital.
Scarlett didn’t need to be told what for
She grabbed her phone and called her mother.
The line connected. Zara’s voice came warm and unsuspecting, “Sweetheart, are you up already?”
“Yeah, Mom. Where are you?”
“I’m heading to the healing ward. I thought I’d visit Riley. She needs support right now.”
Scarlett’s tone was deceptively sweet. “Okay, be careful on the road.”
The moment she ended the call, she dialed Alaric.
“Dad, listen to me. Mom just traded off a bunch of our ancestral totems–and she’s heading to give the money to Riley. Stop her before she hands it over.”
Alaric growled on the other end. “I’ll take care of it.”
Scarlett hung up and smiled.
Let them fight each other all they wanted.
She’d still come out on top.
At the hospital, Zara’s demeanor was radiant.
Riley could tell the moment she entered–Zara had succeeded. Her request, the one million lunar credits, must have been. fulfilled.
Cara sat beside her bedside, beaming, and placed a small rune–locked pouch into Riley’s hands. “Darling. I told you- whatever it takes, I’ll do it. Inside is the full amount you asked for. From now on, we forget the
past.”
Riley stared at the pouch. A million lunar credits. Freedom. Power.
She reached for it–when the door slammed open.
Alaric stormed in, eyes blazing.
Before Riley could move, he slapped the pouch from her hand and snatched it away.
Zara jumped to her feet. “Alaric! What are you doing?”
“You should’ve consulted me!” he barked. “You want to hand our family fortune to the girl who nearly gutted me?!”
“It’s not that much,” Zara tried to soothe him. “She’s our daughter-”
“She’s not fit to carry our name!” Alaric snarled. That little traitor should be grateful we let her live!”
Riley’s injured hand throbbed from where he struck her. But she didn’t wince.
She just stared at him, eyes burning with defiance.
+8 Pearls
Alaric met her gaze and sneered. “You want money? Fine. You can have it–on one condition. You accept the bond. You’ll be mated off to the Stormridge heir. The credits will be your dowry.”
Riley didn’t move. But her wolf stirred deep inside her, growling in disgust.