Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine novel Chapter 88

I really don’t have the time for this shit.

My sister, Zoe, has hated Grace for a long time. At first, I’d appreciated her anger because I thought it was in support of me. That she resented Grace for all the hardship she’d caused for me and our Pack. But in recent years, I’ve come to see that her real trigger is her own pride.

She’d been unbearable in the aftermath of the accident. When other ruling packs were giving Pack Stevens a wide berth until they saw how things would shake out with Alpha Reed. Being shunned and looked down upon by other wolves and socialites, Zoe couldn’t handle it.

It was not until I began dating Lily that things had settled down and other packs began associating with us again, that some of her vitriol had lessened.

But by that point, the damage had been done.

Both to our finances which had already been floundering and to our reputations. It took years for us to claw back to the top, and our hold is precarious at best.

Zoe hates Grace for it.

"Fortunately, you broke up with her when he did,” she says. “Can you imagine what would have befallen us if you’d stayed with that trash?”

I sigh.

“I hear she’s a sanitation worker now. Fitting. Although I still don’t know why we couldn’t turn her over to Lily’s family. They deserve justice.”

Zoe keeps talking about Grace with a disgusted look, and my parents are familiar with this particular diatribe, but with every harsh word out of her mouth, I recoil.

"That's enough! Zoe, don't talk about her anymore. When you see Grace, you'd better behave yourself," I warn. “Better yet, stay away from her entirely.”

"Sean, what's wrong with you? I used to talk about her all the time, but you never said anything. Why are you protecting her now?”

My mom glances nervously between me and Zoe.

"Sean, don't tell me that you still have feelings for her?"

When my father hears this, he growls, "Don't even think about it! Grace Cummins is a blight on our name. She shouldn’t even think about stepping through the door of this house!”

"I have no feelings for Grace, but she's someone we can afford to offend! That's all I can say!"

I’m fighting a losing battle here, and I know it.

The hatred my family bears… it runs deep.

"Can't afford to offend?" Zoe scoffs. “Sean, what are you talking about? Grace is a sanitation worker. She’s a low-life. Totally insignificant. Why can't we afford to offend her?"

"Just listen to me. Don't harm the entire Stevens Family later because you’re too stupid to listen to me now!"

My father calms himself and glances at me pensively.

I hold his stare, letting him know that I’m acting this way for a reason.

My father is a highly intelligent leader. "Sean, what exactly is Grace—“

"Dad, there are some things that I can't say. You'd better all be a bit more careful. At least... at this stage, you should give Grace Cummins more respect.”

I still can’t fathom who or why Grace inserted herself into Jason Reed’s life. And as the killer of Alpha Reed’s former fiancee, it makes absolutely no sense. But, at least for the moment, Jason still seemed to consider Grace to be of extraordinary importance.

Being dragged to Pack Reed by Terrence had proven that most adequately.

The threat still weighs heavily on him.

Mr. Stevens was deep in thought, and Sean’s mom wasn't saying anything. Only Zoe curled her lips as if she didn't believe it.

“This is bullshit, brother. I don’t owe that heinous bitch an ounce of respect. She nearly destroyed this family—and you. Do you have feelings for her still? Is that what this is about? Sean—”

“Zoe! That is enough!” My wolf pushes to the surface and I tackle my sister to the settee.

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