HAILEY

“You think you can manipulate me, Hailey?” His voice was low, dangerously calm, as though he were daring me to continue. The challenge in his tone only fueled my determination. I leaned in closer, feeling his breath hitch as my lips brushed the corner of his jaw.

“It’s not manipulation if we both want the same thing,” I purred, letting my fingers wander lower, teasing the line of his belt. “Or are you afraid of Argon, Alpha?”

Grant’s eyes flashed, his grip tightening around the armrests of his chair. For a moment, I thought he might push me away, but instead, he pulled me closer, his touch rough as he gripped my waist. I let out a small gasp, the sudden contact sending a thrill down my spine.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he warned, his breath hot against my neck. I tilted my head, letting my hair fall back to expose my throat, a silent invitation.

“I’ve always liked danger,” I whispered, running my nails lightly down his chest. Grant’s jaw clenched, his restraint barely holding, but I could feel the shift in his demeanor, the crack in his armor that told me I was getting to him.

“Tell me, Hailey,” he said, his voice low and filled with a dark edge. “What exactly do you think you’ll gain from this? Power? Protection? Or are you just desperate for attention now that Argon’s thrown you away?”

I bit my lip, swallowing the sting of his words. This was about more than just proving a point. This was about survival, about showing them both that I was more than the discarded Luna they thought they could control. I straddled his lap, feeling the hard muscle of his thighs beneath me, and smiled, my lips hovering over his.

“I don’t want your power, Alpha. I want control of my own.” I let the words linger between us, then closed the distance, brushing my lips against his in a fleeting kiss. It was soft, barely a whisper of contact, but it was enough to break the tension.

Grant’s control snapped. He grabbed me, his hands digging into my hips as he pulled me closer, his mouth crushing against mine with a hunger that surprised us both. I responded eagerly, matching his intensity with my own, each kiss a battle for dominance neither of us was willing to lose.

But just as quickly as it started, Grant pulled away, his breath ragged as he stared at me with a mixture of anger and something dangerously close to desire. He pushed me off his lap, standing abruptly and putting distance between us.

“You’re in over your head, Hailey,” he growled, his voice thick with restrained fury. “You think this is a game, but you have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

I steadied myself, adjusting the straps of my nightgown as I met his gaze. “Then teach me, Alpha,” I challenged, refusing to back down. “Show me what it takes to survive in your world.”

Grant’s expression hardened, and for a moment, I thought he might send me away. But then his lips curled into a dark, knowing smile, and I realized that, for better or worse, I had captured his interest.

“Be careful what you wish for,” he said, his tone laced with seductive warning. “You might just get it.”

I couldn’t believe it had worked. His touch was possessive, hungry, and when he finally lifted me onto his desk, my nightgown fell away, and I didn’t care. I wanted him to see every inch of the woman who was no longer willing to be ignored or cast aside. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer as our bodies collided. The room seemed to shrink around us, filled with nothing but the sound of our ragged breaths and the fierce, unrelenting need between us.

Grant looked conflicted, guilt clouding his eyes. Sleeping with his son’s mate was a betrayal, an unforgivable sin in the pack. He couldn’t understand what had come over him, but the attraction was undeniable. I had something that drew him in, something that made him weak, and he couldn’t stay away, no matter how hard he tried.

I smiled, feeling the warmth of my wolf’s presence coursing through me. I had played my card well, and not only had I won, but I had also succeeded in awakening Bane. Now, there was no turning back.

“Goodday, Alpha,” I greeted, forcing a smile as if nothing had happened. Grant’s eyes traced my figure, a flash of regret crossing his face as he looked away. He fiddled with a stack of papers, pretending to be busy, unable to meet my gaze.

“Alpha?” I pressed, trying to force a response.

“Morning, Hailey,” he mumbled, his voice tight, still avoiding eye contact. I could sense his discomfort and decided to push a little further, stepping closer to him. His eyes flickered to my body before he quickly turned away, flustered.

Grant’s unease was evident. It was my chance to turn things in my favor, to make Alpha Grant choose me and put Argon in his place. All I needed was for Grant to make me his Luna, to watch Argon bow down and apologize for not believing me when I told him the truth.

“You don’t have to feel awkward around me, Alpha. I’m here for you,” I said, moving closer, my nightgown hanging loosely over my frame.

Knock! knock!!

“Alpha Grant, young master Argon is here with his new mate, seeking your blessings,” a young omega announced, stepping into the room almost immediately. Alpha Grant froze, his eyes glued to my barely covered form, clearly captivated by the sight.

“Leave us. I’ll meet them in the living room,” Grant said, hurrying toward his bedroom.

I couldn’t help but laugh softly, seeing both Grant and the omega so flustered. I knew the power my presence had, and I was willing to use every bit of it. As I turned back to head to my room, I bumped into someone.

I looked up, ready to lash out, but stopped short when I saw who it was. My younger sister, Ava, stood before me, her eyes sharp and judgmental.

Ava was the exact replica of me, youthful, beautiful, and full of fire. She had the same curves, the same fierce look, but she had always been the weaker one. The sister I had protected from everything. But now, she stood before me as if she was ready to fight.

“What are you doing here?” Ava asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

“I should be asking you the same thing,” I shot back.

“Oh, I get it now,” Ava said, her eyes flicking to my nightgown. “This is what it’s about, isn’t it? So the rumors aren't rumor after all. You're amazing big sis!”

“Shut up,” I snapped, looking around to see if anyone was eavesdropping.

“Why should I shut up when it isn't a secret that you're having an affair with your mate’s father. Is that how desperately you want to be the Luna? That you couldn't even wait for the mantle to be passed to Argon!”

I could feel the heat rising, and I knew this wasn’t going to end well. I stepped back, trying to collect myself, I knew exactly how annoying Ava can be, but her snide remarks kept hitting where it hurt. I turned away, walking toward the room Grant had set up for me, but a sudden sharp pain hit my head. I touched the spot, feeling something wet. Blood. My blood.

“You're a disgrace to our kind. If not that you were my sister, I would have had you stoned to death,” Ava hissed angrily.

“You’ll regret this, Ava,” I warned, my voice low as my eyes shifted from their normal color to a glowing green. My transformation was something no one in the pack could ever ignore.

“Oh, it’s on,” Ava snarled, “just a friendly reminder, I have a wolf too,” she boasted, her own eyes darkening as her wolf began to surface.

I lunged at Ava, grabbing her by the neck and throwing her onto a table. Before I could land a punch, she kicked me up into the ceiling. I crashed down, pain shooting through my back as I landed on broken wood.

“You’re pathetic, Ava,” I hissed, grabbing her by the neck again, slamming her against the wall. “You’re nothing but a jealous little girl who doesn’t know when to stop.”

“What if I am jealous?” Ava laughed, blood dripping from her mouth. “You’ve always had everything: beauty, strength, power, the perfect mate and now you have the Alpha. Who wouldn’t be jealous?”

“You’ve got it all wrong, Ava” I growled, tightening my grip as she struggled. “You were never my competition. You were just my weak little sister.”

“So what now? You going to kill me?” Ava taunted, ripping my nightgown in the struggle.

“Maybe it’s time for you to learn some lessons, Ava,” I said, raising my fist one last time.

“You don’t have the guts,” Ava sneered, defiance burning in her eyes. “You’re still that scared sister that couldn't even scold her own sister, stop pretending to be strong.”

“I hate you, Ava,” I whispered, my hand trembling as I released her, leaving her slumped on the ground.