Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine

Chapter 48

I make it a point not to look guilty. I open my eyes wide in my most innocent expression and then I bow

my head respectfully.

“Hello luna,” I say addressing Sean’s new fiancee by her proper title.

Lily ignores me. She focuses on Sean. "I was wondering who this is, but I recall you now.” When her

gazes cuts to mine, her expression is ice cold. “Turns out, you're that murderer's little sister."

Lily eyes me from head to toe with disdain. "I remember … you’re just some B-list actress. So, you've

come to find Sean today and persuade him in the hope that he will give you a leading role? Does your

pack have have no integrity?”

My face burns with embarrassment. Lily shakes her head. It just so happens that other people are

coming and going along the lobby at that moment, staring at them as if we are circus animals.

Sean drags his arm away from mine and stands beside his fiancee. He takes her hands and kisses her

gently.

I hate Grace so much right now!

It’s her fault!

All of it.

My future is ruined because of her.

"What? Are you still not leaving?" Lily asks, her pretty face crinkling with displeasure.

I smile demurely. “If I just leave, then I would have wasted this chance to see an old friend.”

"You have wasted a trip,” Sean tells me. “And you should leave. Your sister and I have nothing to do

with each other anymore,"

"But..." I can’t leave.

This is my chance. I won’t get another one.

Lily huffs. "If you don't leave now, I'll have security kick you out!”

Lily’s eyes glow with the gold of her wolf. And from the corners of the hotel lobby I notice wolves

moving toward us. Sean is an Alpha. Lily is his fiancee.

Of course, they would have security.

“We aren’t enemies,” I tell them. “We have much in common.” Namely our hatred of my sister. “But I will

not continue to intrude on your time. You’re both honorable and fair. Upon reflection you will see that it

is not just to punish a pack for the sins of one son or daughter.” I look pointedly at both of them.

Neither Lily nor Sean has a squeaky clean past.

They both have been swept up in drama back in the day.

“Goodbye, Evelyn,” Lily says.

“See? I knew you knew my name.” I grin at her, then at Sean. “It was good seeing you again.”

It’s the best note I can leave on, and having gotten the last word, I hurry out of the hotel.

I have plans to make…

* * * * * * * * * *

SEAN

Lily looks at me and one of her brows arches up. ”You can't still be thinking about Grace, right? Aren't

you afraid of Jason getting word of it? Don't forget, my sister almost married him once." Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

The statement sounds like a warning.

My wolf rumbles beneath my skin. How could I possibly forget? The name 'Jason' is like a sword

hanging over the head of Pack Stevens. For three years, the Stevens family has not had a peaceful

day.”

“Exactly! And the initiator of all of this is Grace! The meeting with Jason which we put so much effort

into planning was shattered because of her."

It’s true. My fiancee is a smart woman and as luna, she recognizes that problems with Jason will spell

problems for both our packs. We can’t afford to get on his bad side.

“Be careful, future husband,” Lily warns.

Future husband, she says. Not mate.

I note her choice of words and try not to be bitter about it. I know she’s still pissed about seeing Evelyn

hanging on my arm back at the hotel. In hindsight, I should’ve disengaged myself from Grace’s sister

much more quickly. Lily puts a lot of time and energy into her career and her image. She can’t abide by

negative press.

If someone happened to snap a photo of Evelyn wrapped around my arm like a clinging vine, it could

be misinterpreted.

“Give me a break. All right,” I say. “I understand. I won't pay any attention to Evelyn, she was just trying

to pull strings. I also told her that Grace and I have nothing to do with each other!" I pull Lily toward me

and kiss her hard. She responds instantly. I indulge her for a few seconds then draw back. This

conversation isn’t over yet. ”A few days ago, when Grace was harassed by Gregory Anders, did I lift a

finger? No. Of course not.”

Lily shrugs. “That was quite the spectacle.”

Grace had nearly been raped in front of a roomful of people. ‘Spectacle’ is putting it mildly. Grace didn’t

fight back. And I know it’s because she’s detached from her wolf.

Then… that whole debacle with Gregory. The man was a Grade A Asshole, but even still, seeing him

humiliated like that, and in one of his own clubs, no less.

It leaves an uneasy feeling in my stomach. My wolf growls, also uncomfortable with this situation.

“Come,” Lily says. “Our friends are waiting for us.”

She flashes me a practiced smile.

I’d just as soon go upstairs to bed or drive out to our rural lands to run.

But that’s not how Lily rolls.

Her entourage is already in the restaurant and now I’ll have to sit through several courses and who

knew how many drinks.

I steel myself for a long night.

“This is for us,” Lily reminded me. “A pre-engagement party before our actual engagement party.” She

nudges his shoulder. “Try and smile.”

At least all the people tonight are wolves.

If I have to endure one more human event, I’m going to scream.

These aren’t ruling alphas or even old world families. But the wolves Lily runs with are ambitious. Some

of the guys are from upstart tech companies. I know to play my cards right. Any one of these young

guys might someday be chairman of billion-dollar industries—and that, more than breeding, lineage or

blood, could put them at the head of their packs. They aren’t Alphas by birth, but times were changing.

And so were the power dynamics in this city.

He knew that better than anyone.

“Here we go,” Lily whispers.

In the next seconds, we are inundated by welcomes and congratulations. Wolves shake his hand and

pat him on the back for a job well done.

As if marrying Lily requires some great feat.

I make sure to smile and act the part. I’ve been Alpha of my pack for a few years now and though my

father plays an active role, I’m used to lesser wolves kissing my ass and trying to ingratiate themselves.

Everyone has an angle, it seems.

I make rounds while the first course of food is served, so each guest feels engaged. Lily too, she knows

how to work the room. She’s gracious and outgoing in a way that Grace never was.

Grace was nice and smart, but she didn’t like politics or want to be the focus of media attention.

Suddenly, someone mentioned the 99 three-dimensional Projection Ads I had commissioned

throughout the city. I’m all about social presence and working the media. So is Lily.

It’s just one more way Lily and I are better suited.

Lily basks in the attention. One male, a young wolf name Ivan says, “Come on, Alpha Stevens… 99

lifetimes and 99 billboards to prove it. Shit, I can barely remember to bring home a bouquet of flowers.”

The other guys laugh and also rib me for setting the bar too high for any of them to compare, while Lily

smiles across the room at me like such a vow of love is her due.

“Hey,” Annabelle Sanchez said, drawing their party’s attention. “We’re here!”

What?I don’t know what she’s talking about. The young actress claps her hands and runs over to the

windows.

“Come!” she says, snapping her fingers at the waiters waiting in the corners of the room. “Open these

curtains,” she told them. “The art gallery is opposite this hotel… and it has a massive billboard 3-D

projector…We can enjoy the show right now, right here.” She lifts her glass. “Cheers!”

“Here! Here!”

Glasses are raised all around as the curtains are drawn open.

Lily stands at the head of the table, glowing and giggling."Oh, you guys..."

However, after the curtains open, we stare at the building across the street. There is no ad. No image

of me and Lily. The wall opposite the hotel is lit only by ordinary lights.

"What happened?" Annabelle asks.

The billboard is gone.