Chapter 7 The Pack's Calculation

Holding Elva's small hand in mine, I stepped inside, then froze as he turned.

It was his younger brother.

"Julian."

"You know, these days I go by 'Honorable Alpha Heir.'" He said with that familiar mischievous smile playing on his lips.

I tensed, aware of my mistake. In wolf society, addressing a member of the leading family improperly could have serious consequences.

Julian's smile widened at my discomfort. "I'm teasing, Elena. Relax."

I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. Without my inner wolf, I felt perpetually vulnerable around purebloods like Julian.

"It's been a long time," Julian said, approaching with casual grace that reminded me of our college days at Bluestone Academy. "You must have questions."

Elva squirmed beside me, eyes darting suspiciously toward Julian. She tightened her grip on my fingers.

I gave my daughter's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Sweetie, I packed your some toys and blocks in the suitcase. Why don't you play for a while?"

Elva's large eyes studied Julian warily. When he smiled and waved at her, she quickly looked down, clutching my pant leg. Only after another gentle nudge from me did she reluctantly trudge toward the suitcase.

Once she was occupied with her toys, I turned to Julian.

"Cute kid. My brother's?" he asked, watching Elva.

"No," I replied firmly.

Among the many questions pressing on my mind, the most urgent was, "Why am I allowed to stay?"

He shrugged casually. "I'm not sure how you charmed your way through the initial selection, but once the Moon Blood makes its choice, it cannot be so easily undone. Not without great embarrassment to the Sterling family."

That made sense, in a way. The Sterling family had used their ancestral Moon Blood magic to select the initial list of candidates. For them to admit a mistake would be to admit their ancient powers were fallible, which would only further tarnish their already controversial reputation in these economically troubled times.

"But even so, surely they could have fabricated some excuse," I retorted.

"It doesn't hurt that you have a compelling story," Julian continued, tracing a finger along the edge of a nearby table. "Sure, Alpha thought about making you leave, but when he discovered your set of... unique circumstances, he decided to let you stay."

"I'm not special," I said, crossing my arms.

"Aren't you?" Julian lifted a brow. He counted on his fingers. "Wolf-less. Unemployed. A single mother. You tick every box."

I frowned. "You make it sound like I'm only here as some kind of PR stunt."

"A commoner with your traits garners sympathy. We'd be monsters to make you leave," he said with a boyish smile. "But if we let you stay, we become magnanimous. It's a simple choice."

"So I'm here just for show," I said flatly.

"Of course." He laughed. "No one thinks you'll actually win."

"I can say I backed out on my own. I won't paint your family in a bad light. But I have no reason to stay."

Julian lifted a brow. "No? Not one single reason?"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. My gaze slid to Elva, playing with her dolls.

"I don't want to play this game of undercutting pack members and chasing heirs."

I had been away from wolf society for a long time, but I hadn't forgotten their cutthroat politics.

Elva coughed, immediately reclaiming my attention. She recovered quickly this time, thank God, and returned to playing.

Softer, so Elva wouldn't overhear, I said, "My daughter is frail and sick often. I have to work hard to care for her. I can't waste time here."

Julian tapped a finger to his chin. "Elena, you realize this is Silver Moon Estate, correct?"

"Yes, but---"

"So while you are here, wouldn't you have access to all the pack's resources? Including our medical staff and supplies?"

I froze. I hadn't thought of that.

"While you are here, you are under the care of my family. We wouldn't let you or your daughter suffer."

Why was he being so generous with what were probably limited resources? I needed to know the real reason.

When I asked, Julian laughed. "I like stirring the pot. I want to see what you'll do, Elena." His grin turned mischievous. "And what Kane does, too."

"Kane and I don't want anything to do with each other."

"So it doesn't bother you that he will mate with another woman during this contest?"

"No," I lied, my heart twisting at the thought. I was the one who had broken Kane's heart, so I had no right to be jealous now.

"You and Kane have a special bond," Julian said. "And I can't wait to see how far I can bend it."

I didn't understand Julian at first. Kane and I hadn't been a couple in three years. Whatever bond we had was assuredly broken by now. The plans Julian had for us would make no difference anymore.

But then I realized, this wasn't about me, or Kane and me as a couple.

Julian's hostility was aimed fully at Kane himself.

Maybe it only intensified their rivalry.

"If you're planning on using me against Kane, you're making a mistake," I said firmly. "Kane no longer cares for me. He likely hates me."

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

I froze, remembering Marcus's strict warning during orientation. His words echoed in my mind: "Serious offenses include having secret relations with anyone other than the Sterling heirs."

"Julian!" I whispered urgently. "You need to hide! Marcus said we're not allowed private meetings without approval!"

Julian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my panic. "Why should I hide? There's nothing improper about our conversation."

The knocking grew more insistent. Frantically, I grabbed Julian's arm, trying to pull him toward the bathroom, but he wouldn't budge. His smile only widened at my distress.

"This is my family's estate," he said calmly. "I have every right to be here."

Before I could argue further, the door swung open.

Kane stood in the doorway, several security team members flanking him. His eyes narrowed as they took in the scene before him—me clutching Julian's arm, panic written across my face.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees as Kane's gaze shifted between Julian and me.