The whole table went quiet and stared at Lincy.
"Wait, Lincy... are you seriously saying you can’t cover a few tens of thousands?"
"I saw online that your dad’s company handles Grantion–dollar projects. Didn’t you donate a building to the academy? This dinner should be nothing to you."
The pressure in the room shifted. I could almost sll it anxiety, curiosity, greed.
"Who said I can’t afford it?" Lincy cut in quickly, lifting her chin. "I’m just worried there’ll be too much wine. No one will finish it."
Her voice was steady, but her fingers tightened around her glass.
One of the boys laughed. "Don’t worry about that. The guys in our class can drink. Let’s start with one bottle of red per person!"
A few girls clapped excitedly.
Lincy froze for a split second.
That was the mont she realized she had trapped herself.
If she refused now, the image she built the rich heiress, the favored daughter, the untouchable elite would crack in front of everyone. If she agreed, she would bleed money she didn’t have.
I watched her carefully.
If I had not transferred to this academy, she would still be walking around without fear. But my presence changed the air. Around , her lies felt fragile. Like thin glass ready to shatter.
Her identity hung over her like a blade.
And I was the only one holding the handle.
As long as I stayed in Snowville, Lincy would never feel safe.
The wine kept coming. The classmates continued praising her loudly. Most of them ca from ordinary pack families. A single bottle worth tens of thousands was sothing they would never buy on their own.
They drank and laughed, enjoying the luxury.
Yael lifted his glass toward with a warm smile. "Welco to our class, Riley."
I forced myself to stay alert. My body was still recovering, and alcohol always affected more than others. As Luna, I also knew better than to dull my senses in a room filled with shifting loyalties.
I took a tiny sip.
"Thank you," I said. "But I’m not good with alcohol."
"That’s okay," Yael replied gently.
He didn’t tease. He didn’t push.
Unlike the others, he wasn’t staring at Lincy with admiration. His attention stayed on . Steady. Focused.
Earlier, I wondered if he treated everyone this kindly.
Now I knew better.
This wasn’t random friendliness.
It didn’t feel like love at first sight either. It felt... planned.
Did he already know I was Lewis’s mate? Or was he simply curious about the Alpha’s Luna stepping into his territory?
"Riley," Yael said casually, though there was a trace of hope in his voice, "my birthday is in a few days. I’m hosting a party at my place. I invited everyone. Will you co?"
I t his eyes.
"Sure. Send the address."
His face lit up imdiately.
"Really? Great. I’ll look forward to it."
"Hmm," I murmured.
The truth was, I wasn’t going for him.
I was going for Whitney.
If she was there, I could finally observe the dynamic between her and Vito more closely. There was sothing off about them. Sothing that made my instincts uneasy.
After dinner, soone suggested heading to a bar for the next round.
Lincy had just paid the Grant. When the total crossed seven hundred thousand, I saw the exact mont her breath caught.
Her face went pale.
"I have another engagent," she said quickly. "You guys go ahead."
If she followed us, she would be expected to pay again.
Right then, Yenick pulled up in a luxury car. The classmates watched with envy as Lincy left, convinced she was living a perfect life.
They didn’t see what happened after.
Later, word reached .
The mont everyone disappeared, Yenick’s smile vanished.
"What did you do?" he demanded. "Over seven hundred thousand? I’m out of money now!"
"It’s just a few hundred thousand," Lincy said coldly. "Don’t forget I helped you earn plenty through my dad’s projects."
"I’m not blaming you," he muttered, frustrated. "But I’m broke. Why did your dad freeze your card and kick you out? Maybe you should apologize."
"Why should I?" she snapped. "He went back ho and divorced Lena."
Yenick froze. "Divorced?"
"Yes. Ten days ago. From now on, my mom will be the real Mrs. Ashbourne. My dad favors . I’ll make sure he gives you major projects soon. That seven hundred thousand is nothing."
Empty promises.
Yenick softened imdiately. He kissed her cheek. "Sorry. I was harsh. I’ll take care of you."
Lincy had learned sothing important.
When you have nothing, you sell hope.
But hope without power is just air.
With Grant preparing to collaborate with Lewis, everything would change soon. Grant would return to Snowville. When the truth ca out that Lincy was no longer the Ashbourne heiress I wanted to see the looks on everyone’s faces.
It would be a spectacle.
"Riley, need a ride?" Yael’s voice broke through my thoughts.
He had drunk quite a bit, but his tone was still protective.
"My brother’s nearby," he added quickly.
"No need," I said calmly. "My family is coming."
Right then, a sleek black SUV stopped by the curb. The tinted window rolled down slowly.
Before I saw him, I felt him.
That sharp, assessing presence.
"Mrs. Hale," Vito said with a faint smirk. "We et again."
Yael blinked. "Vito? You know her?"
Vito stepped out of the car casually. "Of course. She’s the mate of the Hale Group’s Alpha. It’s only natural."
The word mate hung in the air.
Yael turned to , disbelief in his eyes. "You’re married?"
"Yes," I said softly. "I didn’t realize you were Vito’s brother."
"You’re so young," he murmured. "How can you already be married?"
His voice held sothing fragile.
Before I could answer, another car pulled up behind Vito’s.
Lewis’s.
The door opened.
Even seated in his wheelchair, he filled the space with authority. His expression was calm, but the dominance in his gaze was undeniable. The streetlights reflected in his eyes, cold and steady.
"Lewis," I said gently.
He extended his hand.
I placed mine in his without hesitation.
The mont our skin touched, the bond between us flared warmly in my chest. With a firm pull, he lifted onto his lap as if I weighed nothing.
My body instinctively leaned into him.
The Blackwell brothers were still watching.
Lewis’s arm wrapped around my waist. His scent surrounded . Protective. Claiming.
He tilted my chin up and kissed deeply.
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