Chapter 82

Third Person POV

Lionel would pay for his insufferable arrogance.

Joseph was the oldest son of Alpha Allistair and Luna Cressida. He had been born into the correct bloodline with a silver spoon in his mouth. He had the best education that could be offered to a pup.

He had inherited everything from his powerful parents. He had inherited his father’s head for logistics and figures. His mother’s charisma and intelligence.

He should have been alpha. It was only right. Only natural.

But his alpha spark was weak…not matter how hard he tried. He trained diligently and studied studiously when he was young. Determined to show the world his potential.

It was all for naught. For every flame he controlled…Lionel controlled an inferno. Joseph could confidently command a room…Lionel could effortlessly command a kingdom.

Joseph held his resentment as graciously as he could. He really did. Despite how unfair it seemed to him.

Lionel was his little brother. It was his duty to protect him. So he bowed out of the race for alpha so his brother could seamlessly integrate into the role.

The speculations about Josephs concession often irritated him. He was perfectly capable! Why could no one see that he was looking out for his little brother?

Joseph endured the disrespect. He tolerated his mother’s twisted love abandoning him for his now powerful little brother. He kept the family reputation intact when Lionel fell apart years ago.

A little appreciation was all Joseph craved. Some acknowledgement at his sacrifices. Even that was denied to him.

Couldn’t Lionel see he was ruining everything? That he was allowing their pack’s reputation and his daughters’ minds to be polluted with useless sentiment? Things were going downhill fast.

That little brat who stole his future never once thanked him. He acted so high and mighty despite Joseph’s patience. And now he dared to strike him?

His own brother?

Joseph was absolutely seething. Enough was enough. Lionel thought he was untouchable?

Joseph would show him just how easily ruined he would be. Joseph had been holding back this entire time. But no more.

Attacking Joseph was Lionel’s big mistake. Joseph was his big brother. It was only natural that he would know the exact buttons to push to get what he wanted.

Lionel’s loss of control at Joseph’s nettling that night proved that.

And now Joseph knew where to hit to make it hurt the most.

His ally sits across from him. One of their regular meeting spots. Public…but secluded.

“How soon can you deliver?” He asks.

His ally raises their eyebrow. “In a rush.”

Joseph smiles bitterly. “Little brother of mine is getting too big for his britches. I think it’s time he received a lesson in manners.”

They lean forward. An amused glint in their eyes. “Do tell.”

“Next time. I have no doubt we will be meeting again soon.” Joseph deflects.

“I’ll make sure our little spy makes haste. You know Alpha Lionel’s little drama is so remarkably interesting to me.” They affirm slyly.

“You should have plenty of entertainment by the end.” Joseph says.

“I should hope so. You know I despise boredom.” They comment idly.

“Lionel and his little mistress won’t see us coming.” He promises darkly.

It was a pity, really. Joseph had no true animosity against the commoner. Her future problems were because of his little brother’s selfishness, if anything.

His ally’s answering smile was wide and full of white teeth. Friendly until prey got too close to those gleaming fangs. A predator dressed in lamb skin.

“In that case, I’ll pull in my most useful player. Trust me…this should be a good show.”

Nan’s POV

The news was playing quietly in the background.

It was a quiet weekend day. Rain poured down heavily outside. Making the world dark and grey.

It derailed our usual weekend plans. No park or shopping trips today. But that was fine with me.

It was a sleepy kind of day.

The girls found plenty of excitement inside. Patti was coloring peacefully in front of me. Coloring books and crayons were strown about.

Vera had argued with Patti for several moments about that when Patti first mentioned it. She did not like ‘drawing pictures all day when she had super important things to do.’ Those things had yet to be defined.

Lionel was able to defuse the argument by presenting her with a children’s science kit. As a reward for her “amazing science skills.” It was the kind that little kids loved…messy and glittery.

The unholy gleam in Vera’s caramel irises made me wince. I pitied the maid’s that would be attending to that aftermath. But sacrifices had to be made in the name of keeping two six-year-olds occupied on a dreary day,

“Careful. Don’t get that on the floor.” I say.

“I’m not!” Vera cries as her ‘potion’ titters dangerously near the coffee tables edge.

“Vera! You’re too close.” Patti chides.

“You’re not the boss of me! Stop trying to tell me what to do.” Vera growls.

“If you get glitter in my hair I will bite you.” Patti snaps back.

“An-an!” The warning sound from my throat catches their attention. I narrow my eyes.

“Vera, push your stuff closer to the middle. If you get glitter everywhere you will be cleaning it up.”

Vera protests this. “Mom! I’m not-”

“No, you won’t if you push it to the middle. Now.” I say sternly.

Vera grumbles but does as I say. I point my finger at the now smirking Patti. She drops her expression.

“You do not threaten to bite your sister. Do you hear me?” I say.

“Yes, Mom.” Patti replies quietly.

I sigh as I sit back. Waiting for Lionel to return downstairs. Considering the best way to chew him out for giving Vera a science kit with glitter.

Then the news comes on. The sight of Joseph’s face brings my thoughts to a standstill. I watch as information about Joseph’s sector of Wolfsbane Industries announces a new surprise in the upcoming weeks.

Lionel had not heard from Joseph in weeks. A chilly silence had fallen between them. I did not have a good feeling about it.

Lionel may have considered the ordeal over. But I knew better. Someone like Joseph would never have taken Lionel’s humiliation lying down.

It was curious to hear about Joseph now. Weariness also reared its head. My intuition was warning me to be on the lookout.

Lionel came downstairs at that moment.

“How are things going?” He said as he took a seat next to me on the sofa.

“Remind me later to tell you how much I just love glitter.” I quip.

He grins unrepentantly. “The maid service will take care of it. Let her enjoy it.”

“Glitter is the viral disease of the crafts world. It never comes out.” I roll my eyes.

“What’s on the news?” Lionel wisely changes the subject.

“On that note…have you heard from your brother?” I ask.

He grimaces. “I’d rather not. Why?”

“It seems he has come up with a new patent.” I answer.

“Good for him. It’s time he comes up with a useful idea.” Lionel sneers.

I glare at him. “Lionel…you might want to keep an eye on this.”

“What for?”

I groan. “You humiliated him. You can’t really think he isn’t up to something.”

He shakes his head. “He would not dare cross me after my ultimatum.” Lionel says confidently.

I decide not to argue. I knew all too well that people like Joseph do not take humiliation lying down. I would just have to wait…

My waiting ended weeks later.

A process server showed up one day. Papers accusing someone of stealing Joseph’s patent. That someone being me…of course.

“He can’t really believe you would do this.” Lionel says skeptically.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Obviously.” I hiss.

Lionel growls. “Did he think this would work? After all the previous attempts made to slander your good name?”

“We need to figure out how to handle this.”

Lionel huffs. “We’ll go public and show him the real meaning of humiliation.”

I glare at him disbelievingly.

“What?” Lionel asks cluelessly.

“Lionel…humiliating Joseph is what got us into this mess.”

“You can’t really be defending him.” Lionel says.

I resist the urge to slap this thick-headed man. He is so brilliant. How is he not getting this?

“Humiliating people like him…has never ended well for me.” I warn ominously.

My instincts screaming.