I swirled my wine, watching the crimson liquid catch the light.
Emma studied me from across the room, her Royal Healer robes pristine:
“Four years away, but you’ve aged a decade in wisdom.”
“Natural enough. At eighteen you can afford to be wild.”
I smiled, remembering past naivety. “Now we must be civilized before we bare our fangs.”
The witch’s auction began. Ancient artifacts and magical items gleamed under crystal lights.
I raised my hand casually: “200,000 for the healing ring.”
Sarah whirled to stare, her perfect mask slipping.
Daniel beside her looked stunned, the scar I’d given him still visible on his forehead.
How amusing
260,000.” His voice cracked slightly.
He bid desperately against me, his weakness obvious to everyone watching.
I knew he wanted the witch’s ring for Sarah’s birthday. The enchanted healing stone would help ease his lingering injuries – the ones I’d stopped treating years ago.
Though he’d clawed out some influence in his father’s pack, he was nothing compared to Michael’s power now.
Expensive gifts were all he could offer his precious Sarah.
I let him win at 600,000, watching him nearly collapse with relief.
“Such devotion.” My voice carried just far enough.
20
+15 BONUS
Daniel clutched the ring, watching me with those same sad eyes.
Finally, softly: “Love…”
“Please don’t. I’ll vomit.”
I stepped back, examining him like an interesting specimen.
“At least your mother succeeded in seducing an Alpha. Though sharing Sarah between you and my brother must be awkward, How do you schedule it?”
My voice projected perfectly. Heads turned. Whispers started.
Soon other Alphas were asking delicate questions, hungry for gossip.
I played concerned sister: “My brother and a half–breed Omega both love the same healer. Ah well, we all do crazy things for
love.”
Beyond mere gossip, I sponsored several powerful healers to challenge Sarah’s position.
One by one, they took roles and territories that had been hers in my past life.
Michael couldn’t bear his precious flower being challenged.
Right on schedule, he moved against me.
Perfect. Just what I’d been waiting for.
How else would he show his weaknesses?
This time, I held all the cards.
And I intended to burn his whole world down.
