SEAN
"Babe, what do you think?" In the dress store, Lily’s wearing a high-end gown tailor-made for her. This gown had been specially made for the engagement banquet and it costs half a million.
Can I see the point in spending so much on a few bits of cloth and beads? No. But she could and her family did, and like everything that marked the start of their relationship, it was about appearances.
And sparing no expense illustrated how committed the Atkinsons were to this engagement.
To this merger between our packs.
I look at this royal and beautiful woman in front of me. She’s strong and smart. Capable and cunning. She’ll make a good luna for Pack Stevens, and our children… our children would cement the merge between our respective bloodlines, guaranteeing a combined pack whose resources would put us on the path to dominating this region.
Jason should be resentful of this mating.
Because given time, we would move against him.
“You look beautiful, Lily. I’ve never seen anything more lovely.”
She beams.
My pack is proud of me and excited for me to mate this woman. The only heir to Pack Atkinson.
Despite the drama with Grace, I’m very satisfied with my decisions.
But at this moment, when I looked at my future-wife wearing such a gorgeous dress, I’m dragged back to the sight of Grace. Her shitty little apartment.
And hearing her welcome Alpha Jason Reed inside.
Had Jason seen me? There had been a second where Jason stared knowingly into the darkness.
Had all of that really happened?!
It all seemed to impossible to be true. Could it really be that the most powerful and influential and wealthy Alpha in a century was slumming it with the wolf-less rogue convict who’d killed his first love?
In what world was this even possible??
“Sean?” Lily frowns. “I’ve been calling you for like a minute. What's wrong with you? You have been zoning out a lot in the last two days. If you don't want to marry me, if you don’t want to go through with this mating, just say it."
I quickly smile. “Of course not. Why wouldn't I want to get engaged to you? You know that my heart is only for you."
"Only for me?" Lily raises an eyebrow. "You really have no more feelings for Grace?"
My body stiffens.
Lily watches me carefully. Her wolf is small compared to mine, but vicious. One hint of weakness and she’ll attack. The same is true of Lily in human form…
”Why do you mention her again? I broke up with her years ago. How could I still have feelings for her?"
"Well then why did you want to help her find a job before?" she asks pointedly.
"I just pity her," I say. Because it’s true.
"What is there to pity about her? You should pity my sister. Because of Grace, she lost her life.” Lily snorts coldly. "If you dare to ‘pity’ her again when Alpha Reed looks for you in the future, you'd better not blame our family for not supporting you.”
I let her threat settle in for a moment. My wolf is furious that she would dare to leverage her pack’s support.
I stalk toward her. “Let me remind you, dear Lily, that it was your stunt with faking to lose a ring that has embroiled us in a mess of negativity. And it is MY pack and MY unwavering support that has helped pull you out of that spiral.”
Her expression falters for a second.
“Think twice, my love, before you threaten me again,” I warn her.
Lily bristles but does not argue.
She must realize that if we are to start slinging mud, both our packs would be vulnerable. And together we are far stronger.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine