hapter 13 Golden Wolf
Melissa’s POV:
“Trust me!” Nancy growled, her voice sharp and commanding.
A wave of searing pain tore through my body. I could hear my bones cracking, my spine curling forward until I was hunched like a shrimp. My fingers twisted and stretched, translucent claws sprouting from my fingertips.
I stared in horror as golden fur spread across my trembling arms, and my shadow on the ground morphed into the shape of
a massive wolf.
So this was what it felt like to shift for the first time. It was hell.
But once I let Nancy take the reins, she didn’t waste a second–she leapt straight out the window and got us out of there.
We landed without a hitch. As soon as we hit the ground, some primal instinct from the wolf blood running through my veins kicked in, and I managed to wrest back control of my body.
But there was one thing I couldn’t stop thinking about–why the hell was my wolf gold? I’d never heard of that before. Most wolves I’d read about or seen were dark or silver. So what did that make me? What kind of rank did I even hold? Could a regular Omega just leap out of a 38–story building and walk away without a scratch?
I had a thousand questions for Nancy, but she vanished the second I took control again. No answers. Not even a word. But I didn’t have time to dwell. Adrian’s enforcers could show up any minute, and I needed to move. Fast.
I flagged down the first cab I could.
“St. David’s Hospital, please–wait, scratch that. Take me to Long Greek Villas instead.”
I’d wanted to check on my adoptive parents first, but I needed cash more than anything right now. The Dunnes at the Long Creek Villas owed me money. And I planned to collect.
When I agreed to donate bone marrow to the youngest Dunnes boy, my biological father, Phillip Dunnes–Alpha of the Silverblood Pack–promised me 50 grand once we left town.
Back then, I refused the money. Thought I had some kind of pride. But pride doesn’t pay bills. My paycheck never came through, and the five thousand I had left went straight to Adrian’s medical bills. If I were going to get my parents out of the city and back home, I needed every cent I could scrape together
Money ruled everything. Without it, I was stuck.
1014
It took about 30 minutes of driving through the forest before we pulled up to the Dunnes residence–home of the Silverblood Alpha line,
I stepped out and rang the bell. It wasn’t long before the door opened, and there she stood, draped in designer jewelry, flawless makeup, and a form–fitting royal blue blouse tucked into black high–waisted pants. She looked elegant, youthful even, thanks to her constant pampering.
My biological mother. Zoe Winston. Luna of the Silverblood Pack.
“What are you doing here?” she snapped, frowning hard.
“Where’s Phillip? I need to talk to him.”
I didn’t bother with small talk.
Her eyes immediately narrowed, her voice sharp and full of venom. “Watch your mouth! How dare you speak the Alpha’s name so casually, you ungrateful brat!”
I’d never understood it. We shared the same blood, but just because I was sickly at birth, they hated me from day one? This whole damn pack lived and breathed by the law of the jungle. Survival of the fittest. No wonder they looked down on humans
-at least humans had laws and empathy.
1/2
“Not allowed to call him by his name? Fine,” I sneered. “Let me rephrase. May I speak with the esteemed Alpha of the Silverblood Pack?”
Zoe crossed her arms. “He’s not home. You should leave.”
She gave a subtle nod to the two guards standing nearby. They moved to close the door on me. But I saw it coming. I shoved the door open and stepped inside.
“Melissa! What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get out of this house right now!” Zoe shouted, baring her fangs.
The werewolf guards grabbed my arms, ready to drag me out.
“Mommy, who is it?” a voice called from upstairs. Leticia walked down the steps, her face darkening when she saw me.
“This is my house, Melissa. What are you even doing here?”
The venom in her voice was just as sharp as Zoe’s. Same bloodline. Same disgust. It hurt more than I expected. But I kept my composure.
“I just came to collect what I’m owed. For saving Alpha King Adrian.”
Zoe laughed, cold and cruel. “You didn’t save him. Leticia did. What the hell are you talking about?”
Of course. They were already rewriting history. Pretending Leticia had done it all. Classic Dunnes. They were despicable as
ever.
I clenched my jaw, glaring at both of them. “You two really are something else. Lying through your teeth like it’s nothing. I’ve never seen anyone more shameless.”
“Shut your mouth, Melissa!” Leticia snapped, baring her own fangs now. “What, you planning to blackmail us now? Are you going to threaten us for money?”
I smiled coolly. “Don’t forget–your little brother still needs my blood to survive.”
Leticia’s glare deepened. She spun around to her mother. “Mom, just give her the 50 grand and get her out of here.”
Zoe nodded. “She’s right. I’ll go get it.”
I looked between them and said evenly, “If your family’s so damn rich, then why don’t you give me the full amount Adrian promised for saving his life–one million? That way, we’re done for good.”
“You greedy little-” Leticia growled. “You don’t know when to quit, do you? The most we’re giving you is 100 grand. Take it and get the hell out of this city. As far as the Harlows are concerned, I’m the one who saved him.“”
Zoe smirked. “And unless you’ve got proof it was you, no one’s going to believe otherwise.”
A
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