Chapter 2

Nathaniel wanted to talk. I didn't refuse—because as it happened, I had my own matter to settle with him: ending the engagement.

I chose the restaurant at the edge of the forest and arrived half an hour early.

Nathaniel Bloodstone showed up right on time. He was always punctual—one of the few things I'd once admired about him.

He walked to the table, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and sat down. "You're about to leave. Maybe you should spend some time with your family."

"That's none of your concern." I held his gaze for a full three seconds. "What did Vivienne say to you?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed his face. "She called me. She's worried about you, Seraphina. She feels like this is all her fault—that she's caused so much trouble for you and Alpha Marcus."

"Is that so." I knocked back my whiskey in one go. "What a good sister."

Nathaniel hesitated, then leaned forward, his voice softening.

"Seraphina, I understand her. I really do. I was never my father's favorite either. I spent years trying to prove myself." He paused. "If it weren't for Vivienne helping me secure that partnership with the Shadow pack's mining operation, my father might never have let me take over the family business."

My fingers tightened around the fresh glass of whiskey.

*Vivienne* secured the partnership?

Three months of negotiations. Me, alone at that conference table, going head-to-head with the stubborn old guard of the Bloodstone pack. I'd even put up my own savings as collateral. That partnership was now Vivienne's accomplishment?

"I see." My voice was terrifyingly flat. "So Vivienne is the one who made your career."

"She has a good heart," Nathaniel went on, completely oblivious to the frost in my tone. "She just wants to contribute. She knows she was adopted, and she just wants to prove—"

"Nathaniel." I cut him off. "I didn't ask you here to listen to you sing my sister's praises."

He finally shut up.

I pulled a document from my handbag—the third one I'd prepared today—and set it on the table. "Our engagement. I think it's best we call it off."

His eyes went wide. "What?"

"I don't know how long I'll be gone," I said, my finger tapping lightly on the paper. "And honestly, Nathaniel, we both know what this engagement is. It's a business deal. And the terms of the deal just changed."

"But your father—if we cancel the engagement, the partnership between the Bloodstone and Thornheart packs—"

"Will carry on just fine." I smiled. "Because I imagine you could get engaged to Vivienne."

Silence.

Then an expression swept across Nathaniel's face—relief, laced with a thread of excitement, and the embarrassment of being caught.

"You..." He cleared his throat. "You don't mind?"

"Mind what?" I shot back. "That you two have been scheming behind my back? Or that you never loved me?"

His face flushed—not from shame, but from being seen through.

"Seraphina, it's not—I'm glad you're the one suggesting this." His words came out in a rush. "Actually, Vivienne and I have already discussed it. She agreed to *pretend* to be engaged to me until you come back. It's just for appearances—to show your father that our two families are still united."

Pretend to be engaged.

Until I came back.

What a thoughtful arrangement. They'd even rehearsed the talking points.

"Of course," I said, standing. "You can keep it to pretend. Or you can make it real."

I pulled a few bills from my wallet and tossed them on the table—more than enough for two whiskeys and a tip.

"Seraphina, wait—" Nathaniel stood and reached for my hand.

I stepped back, dodging his touch. "No need to see me out. I've got a lot to do."

"About the mining operation," he said, anxiety creeping into his voice, "can Vivienne actually manage it? My investment—"

I stopped and turned to look at him. This man—my former fiancé—and his greatest concern right now was his investment.

"Don't worry," I said, that cold half-smile returning. "Vivienne is very talented. You said it yourself—she's the one who secured the partnership. I'm sure she'll make Silverstone Valley more prosperous than ever."

He let out a breath of relief. "Good. That's good."

Foolish man.

I left the restaurant and walked into the twilight forest. The sky was darkening, and the first star appeared above the silhouette of the pines. The air had turned cold, carrying the scent of an approaching storm.

I had meant to warn him. Truly.

I had meant to tell Nathaniel that Vivienne's management ability was about as real as her "injured" leg.

I had meant to suggest he pull his investment while there was still time.

But the look in his eyes—that eagerness, that burning impatience to get engaged to Vivienne, that desperate rush to cut ties with me—changed my mind.

Let them have it.

Let Nathaniel tie his fortune to Vivienne's "talent."

Let Marcus and Helena go on believing in their precious adopted daughter.

I would sit back and watch.

Watch Silverstone Valley collapse in her hands.

Watch all of them realize—far too late—what they had lost.