Chapter 29

Vivian

I stared at Neil’s unmoved expression, clenching my fists at my side. I didn’t glance at Renee, but I could see the smug glint in her eye. Rage curled through my chest like smoke.

He didn’t even look at me. Not really. Neil, who had always been polite—cold, yes, but polite—had dismissed me like I was nothing more than an afterthought. Like some extra shoe cluttering the doorway. Renee, though? He offered her a ride to campus. They hugged. He looked happy to see her, and I was prettier!

She must have been talking about me behind my back. Never mind when they went into her townhouse. Who knew what they were up to. If Renee had really been cheating on Tyler with Neil, I’d kill her.

“Why not?” I hissed. “Seems almost like you don’t want me around.”

“No offense, Lady Brightclaw,” I flinched at his overly formal and polite tone. “But I don’t know you any more than anyone knows a daughter of a high ranking pack with which they have no affiliation with.”

“You seem rather close to Renee.”

He smiled, showing all his pearly white teeth and both dimples. “Renee and I go way back to Accounting 401.”

Renee snickered. “You are and will forever be the best study partner.”

“I wear that with pride,” he said. “Aside from not wanting a veritable stranger in my car, your position would make it extremely uncomfortable for me.”

“But I’m Renee’s best friend.”

“You’re Alpha Brightclaw’s daughter. I have no interest in stirring up any speculation or reason to draw your father’s attention.” He gestured to Tyler. “Besides, as he can’t be here in his capacity as a Gamma of Brightclaw, I’m sure he has time to drive you to campus.”

His phone chimed and tutted, typing out a message quickly. “So impatient.”

“Can’t keep people waiting you know?” Renee snickered. “Did you bring pastries as an apology?”

He growled playfully at her. “I did bring pastries, but they are not apology pastries. An apology to my mother would require cake. This is an errand.”

He tucked his phone in his pocket and look at me. “As I was saying, as an heir of Blackfang, it would be hard on me if something were to happen to you while in my care. I’d rather not take the chance.”

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. “I—”

“Renee, are you on a time table?”

She shook her head. “Just today.”

He nodded. “It shouldn’t take long.” He waved. “You two have a nice day.”

Before I could say a thing about wanting to meet his mother or anything, they were already walking away. I stood there, unable to say a thing as he guided her away, across the lawn. I couldn’t make out the murmuring conversation, but I watched the way they were together.

It made no sense. Renee was just a fat cow with big breasts. She was only technically an alpha’s daughter, my father was alpha of the pack at the top of the heap! Renee had no business being close to Neil, talking to him at all. She didn’t belong in our world. She was average. Less than average. The only good thing about her was her breasts. She wasn’t even all that smart.

How dare she smile like the universe had just handed her everything she wanted—Neil’s attention, freedom from the pack house, even Daddy’s s protection like some damsel in distress.

It was disgusting.

I snarled and stomped my foot. She was going to pay for this. I watched them enter the house next door before turning.

“We’re fucking leaving,” I hissed, snarling. “Going to his mother’s house,” I muttered under my breath, barely able to contain the shrill edge in my voice. “His mother.”

Neil always took responsibility seriously, but it couldn’t be that serious! How was he supposed to fall for me if he kept me at ten feet away. The thought made my skin crawl. Everyone looked at me. Everyone gave me what I wanted. One way or another.

Renee thought she’d won. Thought she was winning just because she thought she could prove I had been fucking Tyler.

As if she were that smart.

I snarled. She was going to pay for this. I didn’t know how yet, but I would make her regret not being a decent friend and insisting that I come along. She knew how much I liked Neil. I was a few feet away from the car when a Brightclaw crested sprinter van pulled up. I went still. An idea forming in my mind.

“Stay here,” I told Tyler, befre approaching them. “Hi! Renee said you’d be coming. You have the key right?”

“Lady Brightclaw,” they greeted. “Of course. Will you be overseeing the rest of the move?’

“Of course. What are best friends for?”

One of them opened the door and I smirked as I entered.

Let’s the games begin.

Renee

The sound of Vivian’s huffing was music, but I didn’t feel at ease until we had already entered the house.

“Thanks,” I murmured as he closed the door behind us.

“Any time,” he shook his head. “Tell me I get some context before the next time she tries to invite herself somewhere?”

I nodded. “Eventually. What are you up to?”

He gave a short nod. “Aside from dropping off pastries, I just need to drop in and help my mom with something before I head to campus. Won’t take long.”

I nodded. The place was warm-looking—modest but solid. Earth-toned brick outside, warm wood flooring, flowers blooming in pots in the foyer, and a wind chime tinkled in the distance. I could smell fresh water and fresh flowers. The house didn’t scream “Luna”, and I liked that. It felt lived in. Real.

“Mom?” Neil called out, his voice going warm and gentle. He tutted. “I’m not bringing the pastries in here if you’re covered in dirt.”

“How dare you!” A woman’s voice came from down the hallway. Footsteps thudded and hurried from deeper in the house. It sounded like she was coming up the stairs. I expected to see a stately Luna-type of woman, elegant and maybe cold. But the woman who came barreling up the stairs, smeared in dirt with a head full of wild curls and clothes that had holes, tears, paint splatters, and more dirt, I couldn’t help but smile.

She was a short, curvy woman in jeans that stretched over her hips and clung to her. A vibrant sports bra peaked out from the sleeves of her shirt.

“You promised me pastries, and —” She gasped pointing at me.

My breath caught.

“Wait—” we both said at the same time.

Her eyes lit up instantly. “Renee? No way. Look at you! You’ve grown so much!”

I blinked, stunned for a heartbeat, tears stinging my eyes. I remembered so little of my childhood, the Estate, my mother, and —

“Miss Darla?”

She squealed and pulled me into a tight hug before I could process anything else. She still smelled like cinnamon and lavender beneath the flowers and dirt and whatever else was clinging to her. For a second, I was five years old again, sitting cross-legged on the couch with a juice box, watching cartoons while my mom ran errands.

“I can’t believe this,” she said, pulling back to beam at me. “Neil, you didn’t tell me you knew her, and – oh, I’m so sorry honey, let me…”

She waved a hand over me, a ripple of light washed the stains that had transferred to my clothes off and I gasped. That’s right… Miss Darla wasn’t a werewolf. She was a witch.

Neil’s mother was a witch.

“Mom, what—”

“Oh, calm yourself dear, she’s known since she was little thing.” Darla cooed, taking my hands. “Your mother would be beside herself with pride if she could see you now…” Her eyes were misty. “And I wish more than anything that she could…”

I smiled back at her. “Thanks, Miss Darla.”

Neil looked between us, brows raised. “Okay, what did I miss?”

Darla laughed. “I used to babysit this one when she was just a tiny thing. Her mother—remember that really wealthy woman from Mountainhowl, always in heels, always on the phone?”

His eyes widened and he looked at me. “You’re… just full of surprises.”

I smiled, nodding. “Just a few.” Then, I frowned. “But… you’re not Luna of Blackfang.”

She scoffed, waving her hand. “Neil’s father couldn’t pay me to be Luna.”

“Mom—”

“Let alone put up with him and his brats.”

“Mom—”

“He’s still trying that, of course. Making his wife mad in the process.” She rolled her eyes. “I suppose teling her to cook more than plain beef wouldn’t help the cause?”

Neill sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You did not tell her that.”

“I’m your mother dear, of course I told her that. Right after she wanted to insinuate that your brothers could hold a candle to you… Came over and ruined my whole morning, hence the pastries… Which are?”

He shook his head. “I’ll go get them.”

Darla took my hand and practically danced me towards the kitchen. “How about tea? Can you stay long?”

I settled into the seat in the warm, colorful breakfast nook.

“I can stay long enough.”