Chapter 44

Sabrina POV

I entered my father’s rented suite with a smile already plastered on my face.

“Daddy,” I called out. “Are you home?”

“In here, darling,” he answered.

I found him in his office, doing some paperwork. I gave him a kiss on the cheek, taking the chance to scan the papers and open files scattered on the desk.

And my eyes zeroed in on the lab report tossed to the side.

Got some disappointing news from the lab, didn’t you? I thought. The idea gave me a warm glow, and my smile was relaxed into something easier and more natural.

Sabotaging my father’s idiot plan to see if he and that Omega were somehow related had been a stroke of genius on my part.

There was no way they were related, of course. But replacing Claire’s hair with hair belonging to my father’s Beta just made extra sure the results would be as confusing as possible.

“What brings you here today?” my father asked as I took the seat on the other side of his desk.

“Well, first and foremost, I wanted to see how you are. I know you had a terrible experience at the clinic the other day.”

He sighed. “It really was a most unfortunate incident. If it hadn’t been for Dr. Green… Well, needless to say I am feeling better. Her treatments are doing wonders for my condition.”

I carefully kept the smile on my face. Any mention of Claire felt like being jabbed with a hot needle.

Was I ever going to get her out of the way, for good?

“That’s wonderful, Dad. I’m happy you’re seeing results. Actually, the clinic is another thing I wanted to talk to you about…”

I paused, wanting to make sure my tone and my words were just right.

Now that Nurse Devin had been recalled by Alpha Soren, and sabotaging Claire was pretty much off the table, there was no point in wasting my time at the stupid clinic anymore.

I had more important things I needed to do. It was time to move on.

But before I could lay out my very carefully thought-out excuse, my father held up a hand.

“I’ve been thinking about that as well. It occurs to me you ended up with quite a bit more on your plate there than I intended when I sent you.”

He shook his head. “Dealing with that mysterious illness, and so many sick people - it couldn’t have been easy.”

Playing modest, I lowered my head and stared at my lap. “It was a very scary time, I have to admit.”

“Yes, and you handled yourself admirably. My reports indicate that you were a model volunteer. I’m proud of you, Sabrina.”

I looked up at him, surprised. I don’t know who exactly had been feeding him that information, but I’d take it.

“Thank you, Dad. I appreciate it. But…”

He raised an eyebrow. “Well, much as I’ve enjoyed my work at the clinic,” I lied, “there’s a big upcoming event I promised Nathan I’d help him organize. It’s partly a fundraiser for his campaign.”

And the chance to publicly, officially announce our engagement.

Not that I was going to mention that. My father hadn’t responded the way I’d hoped the last time I brought that up.

“Ah, yes. The Alpha gathering. That is a big responsibility. Why don’t you take a break from the clinic, and focus on that?”

“Really??” I jumped up, hurrying around the desk again to give him a hug.

After that I didn’t have to pretend to be in a good mood. Daddy had just given me exactly what I wanted.

When I drove away from his suite a short while later, I was smiling and singing along with the radio, full of plans for the large gala event.

And for how I could use it to begin laying the groundwork for my other plan:

Forcing Nathan into marriage.

Nathan POV

I arrived at the event space midmorning, already regretting the day I was going to lose there. I’d had to reschedule several important meetings about the pack and also my campaign.

Just to plan a party and do some interviews.

It was incredibly frustrating.

But I reminded myself that it was also important as I walked up the steps to the grand hall.

The large space, attached to the civic center that served as the heart of our pack’s governing and administration offices, was easily going to hold the hundreds of people invited to the gala.

And so many of those people could, in some way or another, make or break my campaign for Alpha President.

This was more than just a fundraiser, although every contribution would be appreciated, since running a campaign wasn’t cheap. But beyond just money, I still needed allies. People willing to back my campaign, and then actually vote for me when the time came.

And that time was coming up quickly.

I went through a small service entrance, bypassing the huge double doors at the main entrance. And was immediately engulfed in a crowd of decorators and their staff, everyone with their arms full of furniture or decorations or, in some cases, both.

It was a madhouse.

“There you are, darling!” Sabrina cried from somewhere in the middle of all the craziness.

When I found her she reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze, then leaned forward to kiss me.

And I instantly recoiled.

Her eyes flashed, and she squeezed my hand hard, sinking her claw-like nails into my skin as she leaned in again.

“We’re engaged,” she hissed quietly. “We need to act like it.”

Damn it, she was right.

Leaning down, I gave her a quick peck on the cheek, annoyed.

Our fake engagement had indeed improved my standing in the most recent polls, but sometimes I wondered if Sabrina didn’t actually think we were really going to get married.

She rolled her eyes at my quick little kiss, but put on another bright smile. “You’re just in time for the interview!”

I followed her back to a quieter conference space, where the local TV news station was set up with cameras and lighting equipment. Sabrina had arranged for the interview, and I was looking forward to getting a chance to speak about my campaign, and my plans for the presidency.

It didn’t take long for the efficient camera crew to clip a small microphone onto the lapel of my blazer. I was surprised when they put a mike on Sabrina as well, and pulled up a seat for her beside me. But, as my campaign manager and my Royal ally, I realized it made sense.

And then, before I knew it, the interview was under way.

“Hello, everyone! This is Jocelyn, live at the civic center, where in just a few days a massive fundraising gala will take place. Alphas and other high ranking officials from packs all over our region will be attending.

And the star of the show is none other than today’s guest, Alpha Nathan himself! Alpha, I’d like to thank both you and Princess Sabrina for taking time out of your days to speak with us.”

“Thank you for having me,” I said. “I’ve been looking forward to it.”

“Now, we know this is a chance for you to connect with other packs in the region, and speak with them about your campaign.”

I sat up straighter, eager to dive into a discussion about my platform, how it centered around cooperation and communication between Alphas from every pack.

“But what we really want to know is, will this also be the night when you officially announce your engagement to the Royal Princess Sabrina? Maybe even announce a wedding date??”

Caught off guard, I blinked in the hot bright lights.

This was not in any way how I’d thought the interview would go. My instinct was to immediately lead the discussion back to my main talking points, and focus on my campaign.

Then I remembered Claire’s letter, the words she’d crossed out so cruelly. And how cooly she’d talked to me - like I was a stranger.

Hot as the lights were, my temper sparked even higher.

“Well…I’m a traditionalist at heart,” I said, playing along with the idea that we were actually planning a wedding. “A winter wedding, you know, under a full moon.”

Sabrina laughed and reached over to take my hand. “I love a traditional winter wedding as well, Jocelyn. But this night will be about Nathan and all the hard work he’s done as the Alpha of Silverfang. And all the work he’s going to do as Alpha President.

“As for any other official news…” Her eyes twinkled.

“You’ll all just have to wait and see.”