The banquet ended amidst sobs, curses, and murmurs of disdain. The Robinson Pack had lost face in front of their allies and kin. Taking a new mate was one thing, but the revelation of an affair—and a child born from it—was a scandal that tarnished their reputation. The Robinsons, who prided themselves on their noble lineage and integrity, now found themselves the subject of whispered ridicule.

Wren Hill stood behind Jasper Robinson, her eyes burning with venomous hatred. She had never imagined that Nina Black, her half-sister who was supposed to be long dead, would return to ruin her mark ceremony and expose her affair with Jasper. She had dreamed of rising through the ranks by mating into the Robinson Pack, but now, her honor was shattered, and her reputation in tatters.

I watched her fuming expression with satisfaction, perched on a chair, my sharp claws flexing subtly. Wren thought she had hidden her secrets well, but I could tell at a glance that she was two months pregnant—and with a male heir, no less. What was meant to be a joyous celebration had turned into a spectacle of shame. But that was none of my concern.

My attention was drawn to the plate of roasted venison on the table. The aroma was irresistible, and I was plotting how to sneak a bite when the room suddenly fell silent. A regal woman dressed in formal attire stepped forward, her fingers idly toying with a silver pendant engraved with the Robinson Pack crest. She murmured a soft blessing, her face serene and benevolent, yet I felt an undercurrent of coldness radiating from her.

I narrowed my eyes. The dark aura surrounding her was even thicker than that of Jasper and Wren. She was another one of Nina’s tormentors.

Frances Ramos, Jasper’s mother and the former Luna of the Robinson Pack, had made Nina’s life a living hell for three years. She enforced endless rules, subjected Nina to constant scrutiny, and forced her to drink so-called “tonics” that were meant to ensure a pregnancy. But those tonics were nothing but poison, draining Nina’s vitality until she could barely function. Frances despised Nina and had no intention of letting her bear an heir.

I clenched my claws tightly, resisting the urge to lash out. Henrik had warned me—using my power to harm others would condemn me to a beastly existence forever. I had to find another way to exact revenge.

Frances adjusted her posture, her fingers brushing against the silver pendant as she spoke with a sharp edge to her voice. “Nina Black, you left the Robinson Pack without a word, disgracing us all. How dare you show your face here today? Guards, remove her at once!”

I slammed the wine glass onto the ground, shattering it into pieces. The crimson silk of my dress fluttered in the wind, and my voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade.

“Who dares!” I growled, the Alpha tone in my voice sending a ripple of unease through the gathered werewolves. Even Frances, the former Luna of the Robinson Pack, finally looked up to meet my gaze.

Good. You should look at me, you venomous old crone.

I kept my claws hidden within my sleeve, circling the room with deliberate steps. My voice was calm but laced with authority. “That rejection letter was nothing more than a moment of anger. And without the official seal of the pack, it holds no weight.”

The Robinson Pack members froze. The so-called rejection letter was nothing more than a lie Jasper had fabricated to deceive me. They thought I was dead—why would they bother with official pack seals? But here I was, alive and well, exposing their scheme.

The look of panic on their faces was almost satisfying. I softened my expression, giving them an out. The Robinsons cared about their reputation, and I needed to play along—for now. After all, to destroy them, I had to first get back into their pack.

I turned to Jasper, my mate and the Alpha of the Robinson Pack, and took his hand with a gentle smile. “Jasper, I was foolish to let my emotions get the better of me. I’ve been to see Henrik, the healer, and he says my health is improving. He believes I’ll be able to give you strong pups in the future.”

I glanced at Wren, my half-sister and a Delta in the pack, who stood nearby, her hand resting on her stomach. “As for Wren… I know she’s always admired you. Since the mark ceremony is already underway, let’s make her your chosen mate.”

Jasper’s tense expression softened, relief flooding his features. He had been worried about how to handle this mess, but now I was giving him an easy way out—and even offering to legitimize Wren’s place in the pack.

But Wren wasn’t having it. She stepped forward, her face pale, her hand clutching her stomach. “I won’t be a chosen mate!” she spat, her voice trembling. “What are you? Some kind of ghost? Why are you ruining this for me?”

I smiled, my fangs glinting as I picked up a piece of roasted meat from the table and took a bite. “Of course, I’m alive. If I were a ghost, you’d already be dead, wouldn’t you? And why would you think I’m a ghost? Unless… you had something to do with my supposed death?”

Wren’s face went white, and she stammered, “You’re lying! Jasper, my stomach—it hurts.”

She clung to Jasper’s arm, her eyes pleading. But Jasper, ever the opportunist, gently pried her hand away and turned to me, his voice smooth. “Welcome back, Nina. The pack has been in chaos without you. I only agreed to take Wren as my chosen mate because I thought you were gone, and I wanted to care for her in your absence. But now that you’re here, everything is as it should be.”

I pretended to blush, leaning into his embrace. Frances, the former Luna, watched with cold eyes. She couldn’t argue—the rejection was fake, and with the pack gathered here, she couldn’t cast me out without tarnishing her reputation.

She raised her glass, her voice dripping with false humility. “Welcome back, Nina. Let’s put this misunderstanding behind us. As your mother-in-law, I’ve failed you, and I’ll make it up to you.”

I raised my glass in return, my smile bright and mocking. The anger in her eyes was almost palpable, but she had no choice but to play along.

As I sipped my drink, I felt Nina’s wolf, Luna, stirring within me, a quiet but fierce presence. She was angry, hurt, and full of rage toward this pack that had betrayed her. I reached out with my aura, calming her. Don’t worry, Nina. I’ll make them pay for what they’ve done to you.

The game had just begun, and I was ready to play.