Too Late, Alpha. I Made Your Rival My Mate

Chapter 2

I stayed in the great hall as the reception began, waiting for Caden to explain himself.

Selena swept past wearing my mother's crown. Felix Merle intercepted a glass of wine before it reached her, Aiden Rowe helped her down the steps, and Vincent Keller frowned as he summoned a server.

"Replace that. She can't eat nuts."

All of them were heirs to their respective families.

As boys, they'd come to Moon Court for winter training camp. Back then, I'd lived in a nearby shelter. We'd dug snow caves together and shared burnt bread.

"When we're older, we'll take you away from here. You'll never have to live in that miserable attic again," they'd promised, thumping their chests.

But when we reunited years later, all I'd gotten from them were frowns.

"Why do you still smell like a rogue?"

Caden finally approached me. There wasn't a trace of apology on his face. Even his first words were about Selena.

"She's been feeling insecure lately. Without the crown, she'll worry that Silverpine might cast her out at any moment."

He spoke as though his reasoning were perfectly obvious.

"You're already the Winter family's biological daughter. Can't you let her have this one thing?"

I swallowed against the tightness in my throat and met his eyes. "It belonged to my mother."

"It's just a piece of jewelry."

"Grandfather wanted me to recover it before he'd entrust Silverpine to me."

Caden's brow immediately furrowed.

"Can you think about anything besides power for once? Kenna, you're strong enough to survive without becoming Alpha. Selena isn't."

The night before, Father had tapped his knuckles against his desk and delivered an ultimatum.

"Bring back the crown and secure the elders' approval. Otherwise, renounce your inheritance and marry the man I choose."

I'd intended to ask Caden for help.

My lips parted, but I couldn't bring myself to speak.

Just then, Selena approached, lifting her skirt as she slipped naturally into the crook of his arm.

"Caden, representatives from several eastern packs have arrived. I'm worried I'll say something wrong."

She turned to me with an innocent smile.

"Could you teach me, Kenna? That notebook of yours has everything written down, right? Even what each guest likes to drink and the anniversaries of their relatives' deaths."

The conversations around us fell silent.

Selena hurriedly covered her mouth, looking mortified, as though she'd accidentally revealed something she shouldn't have.

"Oh, I didn't mean you deliberately go out of your way to curry favor with them. You've had such a hard life. Of course you learned to be careful about every little detail."

A lady nearby set down her wineglass, her smile fading.

"So those white roses you sent me last time... You'd researched that beforehand too?"

It had been the anniversary of her son's death.

Grandfather had asked me to visit pack members who'd lost loved ones. Afraid I might confuse someone's name or say something insensitive, I'd spent two nights compiling notes on every family.

Caden had gone through the list with me. He knew I'd been carrying out my duties on Silverpine's behalf.

Yet he said nothing to defend me. Instead, he turned to comfort Selena.

"It's all right. She won't hold something so trivial against you."

When I'd first written down those names, he'd praised me for being so thoughtful.

I set down my wineglass and pushed open the terrace doors. I couldn't bear to listen anymore.

The sea breeze stung my eyes.

It reminded me of the winter night I'd first been brought home.

Father had stood in the doorway, his expression impatient.

"Selena isn't ready to accept you yet. Wait outside."

Caden had stepped out of the car, draped his coat over my shoulders, and taken my hand to lead me inside.

"If anyone ever shuts you out again, call me. I'll come get you."

I couldn't believe I'd clung to that promise for three whole years.

The cold wind dried my tears.

I called for the driver. I wasn't going to wait around for another explanation from Caden.

When I returned to the hall, Felix stepped impatiently into my path.

"Don't go over there. Selena's only just cheered up."

I pointed toward the exit behind him.

"My driver's waiting outside."

"Kenna, don't start causing trouble."

He seized my wrist, dislodging the padded lining of my silver cuff.

Moon Court prohibited visiting pack members from shifting, which was why we all had to wear these cuffs. But the exposed metal edge cut into my skin, sending a sharp pain through my wrist.

I gasped.

"Let go."

Felix noticed the angry red mark encircling my wrist, and his grip loosened.

Then Selena glanced our way.

His fingers tightened again, and he yanked me backward.

My foot found nothing beneath it. I tumbled down the steps.

My knee struck the edge of a stair with a sickening thud, and blood quickly seeped through my skirt.

Bracing myself against the floor, I looked up.

Felix was still standing above me with one hand outstretched, as though he couldn't quite believe I'd actually fallen.

For an instant, panic flashed across his face.

Then his expression hardened into suspicion.

"Did you throw yourself down those stairs just to make Selena feel guilty enough to give back the crown?"