Chapter 50
Tori's POV:
My phone vibrated against the nightstand, jolting me from a rare peaceful sleep.
The glowing screen showed Hannah's name, and my stomach instantly knotted.
After Fiona's call days ago, I'd discreetly asked Martha, the Price family's housekeeper, about Hannah's supposed illness. Martha told me that Hannah wasn't sick at all, just pregnant.
She never called me unless she wanted something.
Now, with her name lighting up my phone, I couldn't help wondering what new demands she had in store for me.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice still thick with sleep.
"Tori," Hannah's voice remained neutral, but I could detect the barely concealed happiness beneath.
"I'm pregnant. Tonight is my birthday celebration at Howling Plaza, and I'll be announcing it there. I expect you to be present."
I blinked, taking a moment to process her words.
"Congratulations," I replied quickly. "But I'm afraid I can't make it. I have classes today and work after—"
"Stop making excuses," Hannah cut me off sharply.
"I wasn't particularly eager to invite you. However, your absence at such an important family event would inevitably lead to gossip."
Her voice dropped with disdain. "Besides, your grandmother Eileen will be there. She's been asking about you."
My resistance crumbled at the mention of Grandma Eileen. Hannah knew exactly which strings to pull.
"Fine," I conceded. "What time?"
"Be at Howling Plaza by seven. "
The line went dead before I could respond.
I sighed, staring at my phone.
The last time our "family" had gathered like this was for Fiona and Ethan's mating ceremony—a disaster that had ended in chaos.
I had sworn to myself I'd never attend another gathering like that if I could help it.
But with Grandma Eileen attending, I had no choice.
I could only hope Hannah's pregnancy announcement would keep everyone too distracted to pay me any attention.
---
After my last class ended, I hurried back to my dormitory.
I quickly called Arabella to request the evening off from tutoring Leo. She was surprisingly understanding, granting permission without any questions.
Then I carefully lifted the dress Hannah had bought me for Fiona and Ethan's mating ceremony from its protective garment bag.
My scholarship stipend and the earnings from my part-time job barely covered my necessities, with most of what remained being sent to help with Grandma Eileen's medications.
There was certainly no room in my budget for a new dress.
When I arrived at Howling Plaza, the circular driveway was already lined with luxury vehicles displaying various pack emblems.
I paid the rideshare driver with my last few moonstones and walked toward the entrance, feeling conspicuously out of place among the arriving guests in their designer clothes.
Then I saw her—Grandma Eileen standing near the entrance, looking small and frail in her formal dress, nervously scanning the arriving guests.
The moment her eyes found me, her face lit up with joy.
"Tori!" she exclaimed, rushing toward me with more energy than her fragile frame suggested. "My beautiful girl!"
"Grandma," I whispered, burying my face in her shoulder, breathing in her familiar scent of lavender and vanilla. "I've missed you so much."
When she pulled back, her eyes studied me with loving concern.
"You've lost weight," she said, her hands gently touching my face. "Are you eating enough? You need proper nutrition to—"
"Tori! Mother! There you are."
Our moment was shattered at the sound of Hannah's voice.
I reluctantly pulled away from Grandma's embrace to see Hannah approaching, a practiced smile fixed on her face and several elegantly dressed women trailing behind her.
She slid an arm around my shoulders in an intimate gesture that made my wolf bristle. "Everyone, this is my daughter, Tori."
The women surrounding us made appropriate sounds of delight, their practiced smiles never quite reaching their eyes.
"She's absolutely beautiful like you, Hannah," one of the women gushed. "You've done such a remarkable job with your daughters. "
Another chimed in, "Indeed! It's rare to see blended families with such harmony. "
She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, though still loud enough for me to hear clearly.
"And with the little one on the way, I'm certain your family bond will only grow stronger. What a blessed household!"
Hannah preened at the praise, her chest puffing slightly as she tightened her grip around my shoulders.
"Family is everything to me," she declared with rehearsed sincerity. "I've always tried to treat girls equally, regardless of blood."
I stood rigid under Hannah's touch, wondering if any of these women had been present at Fiona and Ethan's mating ceremony last month—the night I'd been publicly humiliated.
If they had witnessed that disaster and could still offer these hollow compliments with straight faces, they deserved awards for their acting skills.
The Price family's social standing had skyrocketed since Fiona became Ethan's mate.
Hannah now moved in much higher circles, with more influential wolves seeking her favor.
My presence was simply another prop in her carefully constructed image.
I forced my lips into something resembling a smile so Grandma Eileen wouldn't worry.
After half an hour of being paraded around like Hannah's prodigal daughter, my face ached from the effort of maintaining a polite expression.
Thankfully, a stir near the entrance provided the distraction I desperately needed.
Fiona and Ethan had arrived, cutting a striking couple in coordinated formal wear.
"Oh, Fiona and Ethan are here!" Hannah exclaimed with obvious delight, immediately releasing her grip on my shoulders. "We must go greet them. The Graysons are the guests of honor tonight!"
Without a backward glance, she hurried toward the new arrivals, eager to be seen welcoming them.
The circle of admirers followed in her wake, leaving Grandma Eileen and me mercifully alone.
"Come, dear," Grandma said gently, taking my arm. "Let's find our seats. "
To my surprise, Grandma led me to a table positioned directly adjacent to the raised main table. Hannah was making sure everyone saw us, perfectly positioned to be included in her tableau of family harmony.
We had barely settled into our chairs when Hunter Brown appeared beside me, his cologne too strong for my sensitive nose.
"Tori," he greeted with a smile that seemed practiced. "Mind if I join you?"
I shifted away from him, irritation building in my chest.
"Mia wouldn't be happy seeing you here with me. She's had feelings for you forever."
Hunter waved a dismissive hand. "Mia? She's like a little sister to me. I've never thought of her that way."
The moment the words left his mouth, I felt a surge of hostile energy behind us.
Turning slightly, I saw the Price family being escorted to their places at the main table—with Mia standing directly behind us, her face contorted with hurt and fury as she stared at Hunter's back.
Our eyes met, and the hatred in hers was unmistakable.
I turned back, sighing heavily.
Proximity to men had only ever brought me misfortune.