Chapter 3: The Game Was Never Love

After sending the message, I felt a strange calm. Five years of obsession vanished when I hit send.

The living room was still buzzing.

Julian’s friends from the academy, Stonebridge’s young officers, and the heirs of the elder families were all celebrating how he had tamed me again. Every year, these were the people who spread the news through the coastal packs.

I went into the kitchen for the hangover pills.

Maybe it was just a habit by now. Every time he’d had too much to drink over the last five years, I was the one who made sure he had them.

I headed for the study. That was usually where he talked pack business with his inner circle.

The door was ajar.

Through the gap, I saw Julian sitting in a velvet armchair, surrounded by several of his academy friends. They all clearly knew about the game.

One of the men raised his glass.

Julian, honestly, aren’t you afraid Clara will realize you’ve been playing her for five years? Every year you stick some new she-wolf in the Luna’s seat. I’m exhausted just watching.

My hand froze on the doorknob.

Julian took a drag from his cigar, smoke veiling his arrogant face.

How else do you break a wild horse from Red Mesa without putting in the time? he said casually. And even if she finds out, so what? Buy her something expensive, say a few nice things, and she’ll come crawling back on her own.

There was a fire in the hearth, but a chill rose through the soles of my feet.

I had spent countless hours learning Stonebridge history, council rules, and the duties of a Luna, all to earn a single word of approval from him. Now, I just felt ridiculous.

Someone else spoke, more cautiously this time.

She’s easy enough to handle, but the Calloways? Her brother’s the Alpha heir of Red Mesa. They won’t take this forever.

Julian’s smile faltered for a split second before turning dismissive again.

Red Mesa is a long way from Grayhaven. How much trouble can their ranches, energy business, and inland trade routes really cause the coastal alliance?

I had crossed half a continent to follow him.

Now that distance was his excuse for looking down on me and my family.

I let go of the doorknob, sickened by the naive, stubborn girl I’d been at eighteen.

I was about to turn away when the study door was suddenly pulled open from inside.

Felicity stood there with two glasses of whiskey, a triumphant smile on her face.

Clara? What are you doing here? Come in and join us.

Before I could refuse, she shoved me hard into the room.

I stumbled, and the pill bottle slipped from my hand. White pills scattered across the floor.

Felicity pretended not to see them. She went to Julian’s side and sat down in his lap as if she belonged there.

Clara really knows how to take care of people, she said, leaning against Julian’s shoulder. She even brought hangover pills. Not like me. I just assume an Alpha bloodline like Stonebridge’s can handle a few drinks.

Julian was pleased.

He reached down, about to pick up a pill from the floor.

I watched his hand move, then walked past him. I bent down, gathered every last pill, and threw them in the trash.

If your Alpha bloodline is that strong, I said, straightening up, then you don’t need these.

Julian’s hand froze in midair, the smile wiped from his face.

The next second, as if to punish my defiance, he shoved his hand straight down the front of Felicity’s evening gown.

Felicity didn’t resist. She only pressed herself more tightly against him. Her scent bloomed across his collar, a temporary claim deliberately displayed for every werewolf in the room.

Julian stared at me, a cruel curve to his lips.

She’s right. I don’t need a wolfless woman from Red Mesa sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.