My fingers tighten around the phone 122

Emma’s POV
I stretched my perfectly toned legs across the heated stone beside my private spring, tilting my face toward the sun like
some exotic flower desperate for light. The warm rays kissed my skin—a small mercy in a week that had been nothing
but disappointments. I sighed dramatically, watching ripples dance across the steaming water as my freshly manicured
toes disturbed its surface.
Summer in werewolf territory transformed the landscape into something almost magical. The forest vibrated with life and
new possibilities—possibilities that were currently slipping through my fingers like water. I adjusted my barely-there
bikini, a habit born of vanity rather than modesty. What was the point of maintaining this flawless body if the one wolf I wanted couldn’t appreciate it?
“Goddamn you, Ethan,” I muttered, grabbing my drink from the smooth stone table beside my lounger. The special wolfbrew burned deliciously down my throat, momentarily silencing the anxiety gnawing at my insides.
After that ridiculous misunderstanding in his bedroom, Ethan had shut me out entirely. What was so wrong about
answering his phone? About letting Aria know he was mine? His reaction was completely overblown, treating me like I’d
committed some cardinal sin when all I’d done was stake my rightful claim.
My fingernails clicked against the crystal tumbler as fury rose inside me. Ethan’s rejection stung worse than any physical wound could. I tossed back the remainder of my drink, welcoming the burn. The bitter truth was that my social calendar
had become embarrassingly empty. Pack members who once fawned over me now pretended not to see me in the
market. Party invitations had dried up completely. Without Ethan by my side to validate my position, I was nothing to
them. Disposable. Forgettable.
If I hadn’t seen how he looked at Aria—like she hung the moon and stars personally—I might have questioned his
sexuality. No heterosexual male had ever been this immune to me.
My phone buzzed against the stone table, the vibration unnaturally loud in the peaceful clearing. I ignored it, letting my
head fall back against the cushion. The collectors had been relentless since my father’s business collapsed, leaving behind
a mountain of debt that somehow had become my problem. My parents had washed their hands of the entire situation,
fleeing to a distant cousin’s estate and leaving me to face the vultures alone.
The phone buzzed again, more insistent this time. With a dramatic groan, I rolled onto my side and snatched it up, ready
to unleash hell on whichever debt collector had managed to track down my new number. The name on the screen made
me pause: Bella.
I pressed the speaker button, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice. “What?”
“Well hello to you too, sunshine,” Bella’s voice dripped with false sweetness. “I’m standing at your apartment, but there’s
some greasy-looking human claiming your parents sold the place. Please tell me you’re not actually homeless.”
I sat up so quickly that my vision swam, the alcohol hitting me all at once. Heat that had nothing to do with the sun
scorched my cheeks. “Of course I’m not homeless,” I snapped, frantically working to sound casual, bored even. “That
place was a dump anyway. I’ve… upgraded.”
“Upgraded?” Disbelief colored Bella’s voice. “Where are you then? Because last I checked, your family was practically
begging for scraps.”
I rattled off the address of my new sanctuary. Ethan had never formally kicked me out, probably too wrapped up in his
obsession with Aria to even remember this place existed. His oversight was my salvation.
I disconnected the call and immediately dialed the security gate, instructing them to let Bella through. My heart pounded
as I surveyed my surroundings with fresh eyes. The personal hot spring. The infinity pool overlooking the valley. The
sleek, modern house with its floor-to-ceiling windows. How long could I maintain this illusion? How long before Ethan
remembered this property and had me removed? The entire facade—my clothes, this house, my very lifestyle—balanced
on the knife-edge of his continued indifference.
I closed my eyes, imagining Aria’s face if she knew I was still benefiting from Ethan’s resources. The pure poison of my
hatred for that woman surprised even me sometimes. If she’d just stayed gone, remained exiled in the human world
where she belonged, none of this would be happening. Ethan would be mine. The pack would respect me. My future would be secure.
My fingers curled into fists as I pictured wrapping them around her delicate throat.
“Oh my god, Ethan hasn’t dumped you yet? He even gave you such a nice place to live, now complete with a pool and
male models?” Bella shrieked as soon as she entered my home, her voice hitting my ears like pure noise.
I tossed my hair over my shoulder, relishing the way jealousy transformed her features. “Ethan has excellent taste, doesn’t
he? Of course, I supervised the decorating.” I gestured vaguely toward the main house with its sleek lines and minimalist
aesthetic. “He knows exactly how to keep me satisfied.”
Bella’s perfectly arched eyebrow shot up, her lips pursing into a skeptical pout. “You’re telling me Ethan—the same Ethan
who’s practically dry-humping my sister in public—bought you this palace?” She snorted, helping herself to a strawberry
from the tray. “Please. We both know he hasn’t touched you in months.”
The casual cruelty of her words sent a flash of heat up my neck. My smile froze in place, becoming brittle around the
edges.
“Ethan and I have an… understanding,” I lied smoothly, motioning for the pool boy to pour us both champagne. My
fingernails dug into my palm as I fought to maintain my composure. “He may be temporarily distracted by your pathetic
half-sister, but we both know where he belongs.”
“If that delusion helps you sleep at night,” Bella muttered, rolling her eyes as she sank into the lounger beside mine. She
took the champagne flute and drained half of it in one gulp. “Speaking of my darling sister, I just saw her having dinner
with Leo.” She emphasized his name with a little purr. “Now there’s a wolf worth hunting.”
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My interest sparked despite myself. “Leo? Really?” I leaned forward, setting my untouched champagne on the table.
“That’s your type?”
“Marcus cut me off—again,” Bella sighed dramatically, examining her manicure as if the topic bored her. “Says I need to
‘make peace’ with Aria if I want my allowance back.” Her lip curled in disgust. “Leo, with his Northern Territory
connections and substantial wealth, would be quite the prize. I just want my money back!”
“You want my help,” I stated flatly, something bitter twisting in my chest. “After your last brilliant scheme almost got me
exiled?”
Bella’s eyes flashed dangerously. “That wasn’t my fault! That freakish child of hers ruined everything. Who would have
thought a six-year-old could outmaneuver us?” She shuddered visibly. “Something’s not right about that kid. A little
bastard.”
“Aria needs to disappear permanently,” Bella continued, snapping me from my thoughts. She sat up suddenly, an almost
manic gleam in her eyes. “And I know exactly how to start. You need to host a party—right here.”
“A party?” I blinked, struggling to follow her logic. “In case you haven’t noticed, Ethan won’t even look at me anymore. He’s got that bitch Aria living in his head rent-free,” I complained.
Bella laughed wildly, “Leave that to me. I’ll make sure he comes to the party for you. So pick out something that will make
him drool and beg you to take him back.”
“Then it’s settled. Once Ethan is back with me, I’ll help you snare Leo. Let that bitch Aria have nothing!” I returned her
smile with one just as viciou