Chapter 29: Chapter 29

JASON Grace prattles on a bit about trying to get me ‘set up for success’ as if I need her to hold my hand to find a job or get on my feet.

It’s silly.

But I play the part.

“I will look around," I say. "If you want me to get a stable job, I'll do that."

“Wonderful!” Grace squeezes my hand, smiling happily.

She’s taking this sisterly role seriously.

I want to laugh. But I know that would hurt her feelings, so I dip my head so my hair covers my eyes, and fork another bite of food so she won’t see me smiling.

What would Grace say if she learned that I am the President of one of the wealthiest corporations in the city? That my pack and our subsidiary corporations earn revenues that rival some countries’ GDPs.

I have money, power, and privilege.

As the Alpha of Reed Pack, there is nothing denied to me.

As I think it, my gaze dips to the woman sitting across from me.

* * * * * * * * *

GRACE After another inspection from the Urban Management Bureau ended, Mia tells me, “We’re having a reunion with our high school classmates this weekend. Come and join us."

"A gathering?" I laugh. Given my current situation, I’d just be mocked and humiliated if were to go.

No doubt, that’s exactly what Mia intends.

“You’re so kind to think of me,” I tell her. “But, no. I'm not free, and I won't be going.”

“Oh come on, Grace. These events are impossible to pull together. It’s a rarity. What is it you're busy with? Come and join us!"

Did Mia think I was born yesterday?

This woman had been rude, spiteful, and petty. I can only imagine how a ‘reunion’ will play out—with Mia, no doubt, telling everyone how I, former ‘beauty’ and valedictorian, lost it all, went to jail, and was currently working in Sanitation.

Good times.

Nope. Not happening.

"I need to work over the weekend. But thanks for thinking of me!”

“I’m sure we can make changes—“

“I really shouldn’t be conversing when I’m on the clock.” I force a smile. “This rubbish won’t clean itself.

Let's talk another time."

I hurry to leave and keep working with my back to Mia, hoping she’ll finally leave me alone.

I’m not stupid. And, seriously, Mia is so obvious.

I can’t control the mean or shallow people around me, but I can control myself.

I can choose to meet each experience with positivity.

I’m not in prison. I’m not beholden to any person or pack.

I am in charge of myself and my own destiny.

Two days later, the Vice Director instructs me to send a document over to someone from the Urban Management Bureau, only problem is it’s the weekend, and the Management Bureau representatives are at a country club luncheon.

Ordinary sanitation workers are not allowed to enter such a place, and more than one employee at the prestigious club tries to intercept me as I enter the lobby.

Truly, I wish it was anyone but me assigned to this task.

I’m a street cleaner not a FedEx or mail-carrier employee.

I catch the odd stares of other wealthy people, their looks saying clearly, ‘what is SHE doing in here!?’

Like I’m some other species or something.

Well, on some levels I am. Or was.

My wolf would’ve been amused by this.

She’d have bared her teeth just a little.

I’ve been to this particular place many times before for dinners and charity events. Sean belonged to this country club.

One of the staff nods to me. “We’re expecting you,” he says. “Follow me.”

“Sure.”

The sooner I can hand off this paperwork, the better.

Then I can leave.

The staff member leads me down one hallway and into another. Then he opens the door to a ballroom.

Many people are inside.

When I step in, I hear a familiar voice, saying, "Look who's here!”

Damn it.

It’s Mia Jenkins. Maria. Some of our old high school classmates.

“There you are, Grace!” Mia calls out loudly.

Like dominoes falling in a row, I know Mia had deliberately made this arrangement. As a Senior Inspector from the Urban Management Division, my supervisors would be eager to get on her good side. As long as Mia wanted a document and specified the person she wanted to bring it to her, the Vice Director would accede to her request.

Lucky me.

Maria points at me. ”See! I didn't lie to you. The prettiest girl in our class has become a sanitation worker!" Maria laughs, looking snobbish.

I’m in a fluorescent jumpsuit.

My uniform is glaringly obvious in a room full of people in gowns and suits.

I’m drawing a lot of attention. Something I don’t need.

“Enjoy your party,” I say.

I turn to leave.

But a man blocks my path.

He’s a wolf. A mean one.

And one of Sean’s old associates. He’s not part of Sean’s pack, but rather a neighboring one.

He’s never liked me.

The feeling’s mutual.

“Well, well, well…I must say, I am surprised to see you here, Grace.”

“Gregory.”

He walks around me, circling me the way a wolf would box in its prey.

"Is this our beautiful super scholar? You were imprisoned for three years and I almost don't recognize you.” Greg looks down his long nose at me.

It’s true. I’m not pretty anymore. My hair is dull, shorter. My skin is chafed and reddened from working outside in the cold.

“Aw, what’s wrong, Sean didn’t want to dote on you anymore after you killed an Atkinson heir? He was too worried about his family’s connections to stand by his mate?”

Maria’s eyes sparkle at the term ‘mate’ which isn’t as common in human circles. The meaning is similar enough for her to devise the meaning. Yes, my fiancee deserted me when I needed him most.

Greg is right.

Sean placed his pack over me.

“It’s in the past, Greg. Sean made the choice he wanted to for himself and his family.”

I’m trying here. I really am.

I don’t want to fight or make a scene. And rehashing the incident isn’t going to change a damn thing.

Least of all for these people.

They want to think the worst of me.

They want to see me suffer.

Greg smiles. “You’re not so high and mighty now, are you?”

I step back instinctively. Greg had been a rich and entitled jerk back then and he didn’t appear to have matured at all. He was next in line to become Alpha of his father’s pack, which isn’t nearly as prosperous as Sean’s or Lily’s families or any of the other dominant packs in the realm. But if he had become Alpha, it would still grant him the collective power of the wolves loyal to him.

“Did daddy finally put you in charge?” I ask. I shouldn’t taunt him. Damn it, I know I shouldn’t.

But this man is a bully and a monster.

An insecure wolf that was always power hungry because he never measured up to the other Alphas he so desperately wanted to be.

Years ago, before Sean proposed to me, Greg cornered me at a charity auction when I went outside for a bit of fresh air. Greg grabbed my arm and tried to drag me into the gardens. I fought him, partially shifting and mauling his arm. If Sean hadn’t come out to find me, I know it would’ve been worse.

Sean had taught him a lesson that day.

But there is no one here to protect me now.

And without my wolf… I won’t stand a chance.

Greg fingers a small scar near the corner of his eye. “Your ex is untouchable… but you aren’t. And I still owe you for what he did to me…”