Chapter 2

"What is it, sweetheart? What does that boy need from me this time?"

Dad had good reason to ask. I'd called him for Damon's sake so often. Without the path I'd cleared for him, Damon would still be an overlooked clerk going nowhere.

The moment I heard Dad's voice, tears spilled down my face before I could stop them. "Daddy..."

He heard me choking up and panicked. "What's happened? Who hurt you? Tell me, sweetheart. I'll deal with him."

The more he tried to comfort me, the harder I cried. At last I got the words out. "Dad, pull every investment we have in Damon Hale's pack."

He didn't ask why. Anger shook his voice. "Consider it done. He dared hurt my daughter? I'll make him pay for every bit of it."

When the link ended, I felt unbelievably light. The hurt that had weighed on me outside the bar began to scatter like smoke.. I'd been so busy helping Damon that I'd almost forgotten I had a family of my own, and power of my own. There was no reason to give another tear to a man who'd used me.

He thought Celeste would bring him her family's support. He had no idea she was adopted and held no influence there. I, meanwhile, was the daughter of the strongest Alpha in the North. He'd sent away the one person whose family had actually been helping him.

The old Alpha had taken Damon in because he had secured my father's investment and cooperation. He didn't want to hand his position to an illegitimate son; he just wanted the money and the deal. Once those were gone, he wouldn't think twice about casting Damon out. The thought lightened my mood. Sooner or later, he would pay for his betrayal.

I went to the company to resign and pick up my papers. My coworkers watched me walk in, their expressions odd. I didn't understand those looks until I passed Damon's office and heard breathless sounds inside. I stopped in the hallway.

The door was partly open. Celeste sat on his lap, her face flushed. Two buttons of her shirt were open, leaving most of her chest bare. Damon ran his hands over her as if no one could walk in. Now I understood every look I'd received in the hallway: some coworkers felt sorry for me, some wanted the story, and others were enjoying my humiliation.

I wanted to turn around and go, but the papers I needed were in his filing cabinet. I waited nearby, hoping they'd finish. They remained wrapped around each other. Half an hour went by with no sign of them stopping. I'd waited long enough. I crossed the hall and pushed open the door.

Damon jumped off his chair as soon as he saw me. For one brief moment he looked frightened. "Nora, this isn't what it looks like."

I didn't give him a chance to explain. I walked straight past them to the filing cabinet and took out my documents. "I'm here to hand in my resignation and collect my things. That's all."

"Right," he said, pretending he'd just remembered. "I was about to pack up and resign myself."

I let the lie pass. As I turned toward the door, Celeste spoke.

"I heard some big company offered you a position," she said, making sure I heard every word. "I couldn't imagine why they'd hire a nobody with no talent and no connections. But you know how you really got that offer, don't you?"

I halted in my tracks, spun around with a cold expression, and stared sharply at her. "What exactly are you saying?"

She smirked. "You know what I mean. Apart from that skinny body of yours, what do you have to offer?"

"Watch what you say."

Celeste stepped in front of me, watching my face. She grabbed my hand, then suddenly let herself fall backward, hitting the floor with a thud. By the time she looked up, her eyes were full of tears. I hadn't pushed her at all.

"Nora, I know you're upset, but why did you push me?"

Damon hadn't objected while she insulted me. Now he glared. "Even if Celeste went too far, you don't get to put your hands on her. I'm disappointed in you, Nora."

"She's your girlfriend, after all," Celeste said in a soft, wounded voice, every inch the bigger person.

"Girlfriend or not, she has no right to hurt you." Damon cupped Celeste's face and soothed her. His voice was tender when he spoke to her. Then he turned to me, and the warmth disappeared. "If you're done here, leave."

I had every intention of doing just that. I didn't want another second in that office. I picked up my files and walked out.

He'd watched her stage the fall. He knew she'd been acting. But he thought he needed her family's backing, so he took his anger out on me instead of crossing her.