Delta Patrick and Gloria exchanged confused glances. Delta Patrick asked, "What's your plan, Emily?"
Gloria, her voice filled with worry, added, "If it's dangerous, please don't do it. There are many men out there, even in other packs."
Emily wiped her face and shook her head. "No, if Natalie thinks she will be the next Luna, she is wrong."
Delta Patrick, his anger still simmering, asked, "Are you saying you still want to marry Jerome? I won't agree to that."
Emily grinned, a determined glint in her eye. "No, I don't want Jerome. I will seduce Alpha Jason."
Both Patrick and Gloria were shocked. "Are you out of your mind?" they exclaimed in unison.
"Why not?" Emily replied. "Alpha Jason is only thirty-five, and I'm already eighteen, the right age. He's been a widower for almost two decades since Luna Daisy died giving birth to that stupid Jerome."
Delta Patrick held his head, struggling to process his daughter's words. "Even if Alpha Jason is young, you're much younger than he is."
Gloria sighed deeply. "But Alpha Jason is very aloof. Since he took the position of Alpha at sixteen, he's been silent and secretive."
Emily's expression hardened with resolve. "My plan is simple. I will marry Alpha Jason and become his new Luna. That way, I can get revenge on Jerome and Natalie. Jerome can never become Alpha, especially if Alpha Jason and I have a son. And Natalie will never be Luna."
Delta Patrick looked at Emily, concern etched on his face. "But can you really marry someone you don't love just for revenge?"
Emily nodded firmly. "Yes. At least this way, I'll not only get revenge but also ensure that our family becomes powerful. No one will be able to hurt us."
Patrick and Gloria exchanged another worried glance, unsure of how to dissuade their determined daughter. They understood her pain and anger but feared the consequences of such a drastic plan.
Emily looked at her father, her eyes steely with determination. "I know you're not on good terms with Beta Apollo. He's greedy for power, and his daughter, Marriott, also wants to be with Jerome to become the next Luna. If I become the new Luna of Alpha Jason, I’ll ask him to demote Beta Apollo and replace him with you, Dad."
Delta Patrick and Gloria exchanged a glance, the weight of Emily's plan sinking in. Gloria, her voice tinged with worry, asked, "But how can you find a way to talk to Alpha Jason?"
Emily smiled confidently. "Don't worry. When I was still with Jerome, he sometimes mentioned Alpha Jason's schedule. I know where and when I can approach him."
Delta Patrick looked at his daughter, his expression a mix of concern and reluctant admiration. "Emily, this is a risky plan. Are you sure about this?"
Emily nodded. "Yes, Dad.”
Gloria sighed, still uncertain but unable to deny the strength in her daughter's resolve. "Just be careful, Emily. We trust you, but this is a dangerous game."
Emily hugged her parents tightly. "I will, Mom. I promise."
Delta Patrick shook his head in disbelief. "I can’t believe the shy and modest Natalie could betray you, Emily."
Gloria, her voice filled with anger, added, "I saw Natalie as a very simple and conservative woman before, but she’s nothing but a snake."
Emily sighed, the weight of the betrayal heavy on her heart. "Now I understand that Natalie only befriended me to get close to Jerome."
Delta Patrick nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe because Natalie’s family has a low position in the pack, they concluded that plan. It was their way to climb up the ranks."
Emily's eyes hardened with resolve. "But they won’t succeed. I’ll make sure I become the next Luna, and Natalie and her family will vanish from the pack. As for Jerome, he won’t be able to use his position as 'Alpha's son and heir apparent' anymore."
Delta Patrick and Gloria exchanged a look of cautious hope. Despite their concerns, they saw the fire in Emily’s eyes and knew she was determined to reclaim her dignity and secure a better future for their family.
*****
“Emily! Where are you? Let’s talk!”
Jerome sighed in frustration as he looked around, realizing Emily was nowhere to be seen. Mila stood nearby, her eyes downcast. "Miss Emily already left," she said quietly.
Jerome's anger flared, and he yelled at Mila, "Why the hell didn’t you stop her from going to my room? And why didn’t you tell me she was here?"
Mila kept her gaze on the floor, her voice trembling. "Miss Emily ran up so quickly, I couldn't stop her. She also heard your voices and Miss Natalie’s from outside the door."
Jerome sighed angrily, running a hand through his hair. Just then, Natalie sauntered out of the room, wearing a revealing silk bathrobe. She looked at Jerome with a flirty smile. "Don’t worry about Emily anymore. It’s a good thing we don’t have to hide our relationship now," she giggled.
But Jerome's expression darkened. "Emily's family is high-ranking and wealthy. What if Delta Patrick talks to my father, Alpha Jason?"
Natalie's grin faded. "But you love me now, right?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly.
Jerome sighed, massaging his temples. "Natalie, just leave. I need to think."
Natalie frowned but nodded reluctantly. "Fine, I'll come back tomorrow."
Jerome didn't respond. He watched as she left, then retreated to his room and locked the door, feeling the weight of the impending consequences pressing down on him.
Jerome noticed the small box of gift that Emily had thrown earlier lying on the floor. He picked it up and opened it, his heart sinking when he saw its contents.
Inside was a small booklet full of love notes and pictures of them together, spanning from the time they first became friends to when they became a couple.
As he flipped through the pages, each memory tugged at his heartstrings, making him feel a deep pang of guilt.
The tears in Emily's eyes flashed in his mind, and he felt his heart grip with regret. He truly loved her, but he had been weak.
He remembered the moment when Natalie had first kissed him, how he had been easily seduced by her willingness to give herself to him.
Unlike Emily, who had always maintained her boundaries and never let him go beyond a kiss, Natalie had been bold and persistent.
Jerome sat down, clutching the booklet, feeling the weight of his mistakes. The love he had for Emily was genuine, but his actions had betrayed that love. He knew he had hurt her deeply, and now he was left to face the consequences of his actions.
The thought of Emily's heartbroken expression haunted him as he realized the depth of the betrayal he had committed.