chapter 142
Megan's POV:
I pressed myself against the wall in the far corner of the ballroom, watching them.
My heart clenched painfully as Alpha Lucas leaned down, his fingers gently adjusting the crystal pendant hanging from Tori's neck.
His touch lingered longer than necessary, his lips curved into that rare smile I'd dreamed would one day be directed at me.
"There," I heard him murmur, his voice carrying across the space between us. "Perfect."
Tori looked up at him, her silver eyes reflecting the chandelier light, and something passed between them—something intimate and exclusive that made me want to disappear into the wallpaper.
His arm slipped protectively around her waist as another group of dignitaries approached them.
I watched as Tori handled the attention with surprising grace. The whispers throughout the room weren't lost on me.
Each word was another needle in my chest.
"Disgusting display," Mom hissed beside me, appearing with two glasses of champagne.
She thrust one into my hand. "That low-class Omega has everyone fooled. Using whatever tricks she learned in Silver Fang to seduce an Alpha of Lucas's standing."
I took the champagne but didn't drink, watching Mom's face contort with hatred as her eyes fixed on Tori. The venom in her voice shocked me.
"Mom," I said quietly, "maybe it's time to let this go. Lucas Alpha clearly cares for her."
I'd chased after Lucas for years because I thought I at least had a place in his heart—if not as a love interest, then surely as a friend.
But after that humiliating moment when he coldly warned me about speaking ill of Tori, I finally understood the truth: I held no significance to him whatsoever.
Becoming jealous and bitter over a man who would never love me, transforming into someone I barely recognized—what was the point?
I was Megan Howard, Alpha William's niece, a talented musician who'd earned a spot in Moonhaven's most prestigious orchestra.
My future was bright. There was no reason to destroy myself over one man.
Mom's face twisted with disapproval. "You're giving up so easily? This little setback and you're done? How did I raise such two of you!"
She shook her head in disgust. "One wants to be a doctor, the other a pianist. ambitionless and unambitious."
"I need some air."
I didn't want to hear any more of her complaints. I turned away from the ballroom, heading toward the gardens for some fresh air.
The cool night air felt like salvation against my heated skin. I wandered to a stone gazebo, sitting on the cold bench and looking up at the three-quarter moon.
Its light bathed everything in silver, reminding me painfully of Tori's unusual eyes.
"Tough night?" a smooth voice interrupted my thoughts.
I turned to find Fiona Price standing at the gazebo entrance, one hand resting on her slightly swollen belly. Her designer dress flowed elegantly around her, but couldn't hide the calculation in her eyes.
"Mrs. Grayson," I acknowledged with a nod.
"Please, call me Fiona." She smiled, joining me on the bench uninvited. "I couldn't help noticing your... heated discussion with your mother."
Of course she'd been watching. Everyone was always watching everyone else at these events, cataloging weaknesses to exploit later.
"It's nothing," I said flatly.
"It doesn't look like nothing." Her voice lowered conspiratorially. "It's about her, isn't it? About Tori?" She practically spat the name. "Seeing Tori with Lucas must be particularly difficult for you."
I gave her a cool look. "I'm sorry, but do we know each other that well, Mrs. Grayson?"
She smiled, one hand resting protectively over her belly. "I just... understand what you're going through. I know what it's like when someone you love never truly sees you, when their eyes pass right over you to find someone else."
I couldn't help the cold laugh that escaped my lips. "How considerate of you to be so concerned about my feelings."
I had no interest in conversing with Fiona Price. My family had been part of Moonhaven's elite for generations. Fiona, by comparison, was barely worth acknowledging.
She quickly moved to block my path, her pregnant belly protruding between us.
I stepped back, frowning as my eyes fell to her swollen abdomen. The last thing I needed was some accident involving a pregnant woman that could be blamed on me.
Noticing my wariness, Fiona smiled. "Don't worry," she whispered, her voice low enough that only the two of us could hear. "I'm not trying to cause a scene. I have a way to make Tori leave Lucas voluntarily. Would you like to hear it?"
That made me laugh, a genuine sound of disbelief. I looked her up and down with undisguised contempt. "Mrs. Grayson, you lost Tori's friendship and couldn't keep Ethan's interest even before your marriage. Now you're offering me advice? "
I attempted to step around her, but she shifted again, blocking my exit.
"Miss Howard, happiness must be fought for," she insisted. "Elizabeth and the elders have already decided to hold their Luna ceremony by year's end." Her eyes narrowed. "Are you really going to stand by and watch the man you love marry another woman?"
Irritation flashed through me. "Fighting? You certainly did your share of that, didn't you?" I stared directly into her eyes. "So tell me, has all your fighting made you happy?"
She froze, clearly caught off guard by my question.
I knew the rumors. Ethan had been desperately in love with Tori before their relationship imploded. Even after marrying Fiona, many suspected he'd never truly forgotten his first love.
If Fiona were truly happy and secure in her marriage, she'd be focused on her husband and coming child, not scheming against Tori.
"I have no desire to become like you," I said coldly. "Move aside."
Her face darkened with anger, but I brushed past her, leaving her standing alone in the gazebo.
I returned to the ballroom, the warm light and chatter a stark contrast to the tense conversation in the garden.
My eyes found Tori immediately—she stood near the center of the room, surrounded by pack members and dignitaries, all seemingly captivated by her.
What was it about her that drew everyone in? The silver eyes? The Lunar phase talent? Or perhaps it was the quiet strength she carried despite everything she'd endured.
Fiona's words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile grimly.
Here was a woman sentenced to exile, temporarily spared only because of her pregnancy, and yet she still wasn't content to focus on keeping what she had. Instead, she was plotting against Tori, trying to enlist others in her schemes.
I shook my head slightly. If Fiona was foolish enough to move against Tori now, with Lucas watching her like a hawk, I'd be interested to see how quickly her remaining privileges would vanish.