Chapter 167
Third Person POV
The grand hall of the Bloodbane Pack house hummed with conversation as Elder Harold’s birthday celebration unfolded. The party looked like an innocent family gathering, but everyone knew the real purpose. Alpha Calvin needed a mate, and every Alpha from the surrounding territories had brought their daughters. They all wanted the same thing: to become Luna of one of the most powerful packs in the region.
Diana Whitmore positioned herself at the center of the female guests. Her dress fit perfectly, and her blonde hair was swept into an elegant updo.
Things had changed for Diana recently. Alpha Gregory had frozen her accounts, and Calvin had cut off her company dividends. The pack servants ignored her requests now. She couldn’t leave the pack house without permission. For the first time in her life, she understood what Evelyn had suffered years ago.
“Tell us about Alpha Calvin,” a redheaded woman from the Northern Territories said. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Is he really as attractive as he looks in those business magazines p>
Diana smiled. “He’s handsome enough. But he has very particular tastes p>
“I heard his ex-wife came back,” another guest whispered. She glanced around nervously.
“The woman who actually rejected an Alpha?” someone gasped. “What was she thinking p>
Diana saw her chance. “She didn’t just reject him. She abandoned Calvin completely.” She lowered her voice like she was sharing state secrets. “Left him alone with twin boys to raise. Honestly, she was never anything more than a breeding partner. A wolfless Omega. Only good for producing heirs p>
The women looked shocked.
“But how did she end up with Alpha Leon from Brownfur Pack?” one asked. “People say he’s absolutely obsessed with her p>
“And what about that public fight with Liri Johnson?” another woman added eagerly. “It was everywhere on social media. Two women fighting over one man. So embarrassing p>
Diana’s smile turned vicious. “Evelyn knows how to manipulate men. She’s nothing but a cheap opportunist p>
A woman wearing an expensive pearl necklace nodded enthusiastically. “I saw her having dinner with Alpha Logan from Eros Pack. They looked very cozy together p>
“Women like her make all of us look bad,” Diana said. She watched with satisfaction as disgust spread across their faces. Her chest filled with bitter pleasure. This woman had destroyed her brother’s life and ruined her family’s reputation. She deserved every cruel word.
Meanwhile, in the pack house’s garden, Rowan and Rhys were playing with Alexis. Alexis clutched a ball to her tiny chest.
“Alex, kick the ball to your brother!” Rowan called, brushing hair from his forehead.
Alexis giggled and prepared to set the ball down when a boy in an expensive tailored suit approached them. He was slightly taller than the twins, with slicked-back hair and a sneer.
“That’s our ball now,” Trevor Ford announced, snatching it from Alexis’s hands. Several younger boys stood behind him, looking smug. “You three need to find somewhere else to play p>
Rowan and Rhys immediately moved to shield Alexis, standing protectively in front of their little sister.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Rhys said angrily.
Trevor’s expression turned malicious as he recognized them. “Well, if it isn’t Rhys Wolfe. Still looking for your runaway mother p>
The words struck Rhys like a slap. Ever since Evelyn and Calvin’s divorce, the twins had endured cruel comments from classmates. At school events, Calvin always came alone, which fueled rumors that their mother had abandoned them.
Alexis understood the insult even though she was young. She darted from behind her brothers and kicked Trevor’s leg.
“You bad!” she yelled, running back to her brothers. “Alex protect brothers p>
The twins stared in surprise at their brave little sister. They quickly pulled her behind them to keep her safe.
Trevor rubbed his leg and looked at Alexis. She was really cute with her round face and two little pigtails. But his smile faded when he realized she had kicked him to protect Rhys.
“So you’re the little bastard without a father,” he sneered at Alexis. “The one nobody wanted p>
Alexis looked up at her brothers in confusion. “What that mean p>
Rowan and Rhys simultaneously covered her ears.
“Don’t listen, little sis,” Rowan said firmly.
Rhys glared at Trevor. “Don’t talk about my sister like that, Trevor! I’ll tell your mom how you wet your bed at kindergarten and blamed it on Lisa p>
Trevor’s face flushed with embarrassment before hardening with rage. He shoved Rhys roughly.
“You wouldn’t dare!” he threatened. “If you tell my mom that, I’ll tell everyone how you said you liked Clara better because she bought you toys and cupcakes p>
Rhys paled instantly. The memory of his betrayal washed over him. He still couldn’t forget how his mother and sister had turned away from him after he had secretly let Clara into their home for treats. When they reunited, it seemed clear that his mother preferred Rowan. The loyal son who hadn’t betrayed her.
Trevor sensed his advantage and leaned closer to Rhys. “Your mother likes your brother better, doesn’t she? You’re the unwanted one, Rhys p>
“If you and your brother were both drowning,” Trevor continued cruelly, “your parents would save him first. That’s how little they care about you p>
Tears welled in Rhys’s eyes, but he lifted his chin defiantly. “At least my dad doesn’t bring home new kids every month like yours does p>
“You’re just jealous,” Rhys continued, his voice trembling. “My mom says I shouldn’t play with bad kids like you p>
Alexis nodded vigorously, squeezing Rhys’s hand. “Mommy loves brother,” she said with absolute conviction.
Rowan had missed the earlier exchange but could sense his brother’s distress. He quickly added, “That’s right! Mom loves Rhys very much p>
Trevor’s expression flickered with hurt before he turned his venom toward Alexis.
“That’s not true,” he told the little girl. “Your mom already has Rowan and Rhys. She’ll throw you away next, little bastard p>
Instead of crying, Alexis beamed at him with a radiant smile. “Mommy loves Alex most p>
Rhys’s face changed. Normally, Alexis saying that would be fine. But after what Trevor said, it hurt. His chest felt heavy, like when he was about to get sick.