Chapter 14: Chapter 14 Pack Politics
Elara
At ten the next morning, my phone rang and jolted me awake.
The caller ID showed my mother Nadia’s name.
Between her rambling about pack duties and family obligations, I caught the real message - she wanted me back at the Amber Pack house.
I rushed to the Amber Pack territory thinking she might transfer the hotel shares to me early. But I was dead wrong.
The second I walked through the door, Selina’s hand cracked across my face. The slap echoed through the room. My wolf snarled, demanding blood.
"You little bitch!" Selina screamed. "Zack was wasted last night, saying your name over and over. You’ve been seducing my mate behind my back!"
I smiled coldly. Then I slapped her back so hard she stumbled.
Selina’s eyes went wide. "You... you actually hit me?"
"I hit you because you earned it," I said. "Whatever drama you and that pathetic Alpha have is not my problem. Stay away from me."
My mother appeared, looking at me like I’d grown a second head.
"What are you doing? Have you lost your mind, Elara?"
Cold fury washed over me. "So being your daughter means I should let people hit me?"
Nadia took a breath and chose not to answer. She helped Selina upstairs, spending several minutes calming her down before coming back.
We sat on opposite couches. Her calculating eyes studied me.
"Elara," she said carefully, "how did you meet Alpha Wolfe? Is it true he wants to mate with you?"
I frowned. "How do you know about that?"
"Enzo received word from the Wolfe Pack," she said, her tone suddenly respectful. "They confirmed your mating alliance."
So that’s why she called me back so urgently.
I was tired of her questions.I pulled out my phone and showed her the mating certificate photo.
"Don’t worry. I couldn’t fake this even if I wanted to."
Nadia took my phone, zooming in again and again.Her face changed instantly. A fake smile spread across it.
"Elara, honey, I was just worried someone might take advantage of you."
"I’ll transfer the shares tomorrow as your dowry. How’s that?"
"Those shares were mine to begin with, Mother. But if you want to make it up to me for this lovely family reunion, you can add your Park Hotel Group shares to the pile."
Nadia stiffened but kept smiling. "Of course. Those are your inheritance from your father. I was just holding them while you were young."
"Don’t worry, the hotels are yours. Your uncle is managing things. You should learn from him first."
I wanted to laugh. My uncle had already fired all my father’s loyal people and replaced them with his own.
Once I got my shares, who knew what he’d try?
"Fine. We handle paperwork tomorrow morning. I want all shares under your name transferred within three days."
"Also, keep my mating to Alpha King secret for now. Only you and Enzo should know."
Nadia looked confused. "Why?"
"Those are my mate’s orders."
The real reason was obvious. If people knew about our alliance, Enzo could use it for his own gain.
Nadia pressed her lips together. "Alright. But you can’t keep it secret forever. We should be at your mating ceremony."
"We’ll discuss that later."
She seemed unable to read me anymore, but nodded.
Author
After leaving the Amber Pack territory, Elara shot Alpha Dominic a text.
[Did your people contact my stepfather about us?]
Alpha Dominic glanced at his phone from his spot at the private club, lips quirking up.
[Yep.]
Elara stared at the screen before typing back: [Thanks. That actually helped.]
Having the Wolfe Pack vouch for their arrangement had gotten her mother off her back. She owed him one.
Her phone buzzed with a location pin.
[What?]
[Too drunk to drive. Come get me.]
[Where the hell is your driver?]
[Oh, so you thank me and then bail when I need you? Real nice.]
She cursed under her breath. [Ugh. Fine. Be there in 20.]
--
In the exclusive werewolf club reserved for Alphas, Dominic wasn’t drinking at all. The place reeked of expensive whiskey and competing Alpha pheromones.
Alpha Dominic was on a black leather couch, playing with his phone while ignoring the territorial posturing around him.
One of the men looked annoyed. "Dominic, we invited you to drink, not stare at your phone."
Alpha Dominic shrugged. "You guys go ahead. I’m not drinking tonight."
Then he smirked. "My mate is coming to take me home. She keeps me in line." His tone was smug. He was clearly enjoying dropping this bombshell.
The group looked shocked.
"How could you mate without telling me?" Alpha Vincent demanded.
Alpha Vincent Stone had grown up with Alpha Dominic. Their families had been allies for generations.
The Stone Pack was everywhere in business. Real estate, media companies, shipping networks across continents. They had their fingers in every profitable deal.
Alpha Vincent felt like he deserved to know about big news in Dominic’s life.
Alpha Dominic gave him a lazy smile. "Vincent, I’ve told you before. Don’t have a crush on me. It won’t go anywhere."
"DOMINIC WOLFE!"
Alpha Vincent moved closer, his hand landing on Dominic’s shoulder like he wanted to tackle him. Alpha Dominic caught his hand and twisted it smoothly.
The others seemed used to this, but then Elara pushed open the door.
She saw Alpha Dominic with his arm around another man. A very handsome one.
She studied this stranger. Was this her husband’s boyfriend?
Elara cleared her throat. "Should I wait outside?"
Alpha Dominic immediately let go of Alpha Vincent’s hand and stood up, straightening his jacket. "No need. I’m leaving with you."
He glanced at Alpha Vincent with slight disgust. "Vincent, stop getting handsy with me in public. People will get the wrong idea."
Alpha Vincent looked completely confused. "What the hell..."
But Alpha Dominic was already steering Elara out by the shoulder, leaving Vincent’s words hanging.
Alpha Dominic raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Your boyfriend... won’t he be upset?"
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. "You think he’s my boyfriend?"
"Well, yes. Don’t you prefer men?"
Alpha Dominic looked like he’d been caught in his own lie. He seemed to realize his earlier trick had backfired.
"I do," he finally said with a slight smirk, "but not his type. I prefer someone more... tempting."
His eyes stayed on Elara longer than necessary.
