Chapter 245

Agnes

I hadn’t been here in years.

Eight years, to be exact. I hadn’t set foot on the Blake estate since I had been a lonely, frightened, grieving young mother who just wanted to find her daughter. Wolfless, childless… Just less. Lesser than Ava. Lesser than my stepmother.

What really hurt was that the estate looked almost completely different. Once, it had been a magnificent structure of red bricks and climbing ivy, a testament to my family’s ancient heritage, passed down through the generations.

Now, it looked like every other fucking cookie cutter mcmansion out there. My stepmother, it seemed, had erased everyone who came before her. She’d cut down my mother’s well-loved flower gardens, replacing them with perfectly manicured grass. She had removed the painted shutters, switched out the stained glass windows with cheap plastic. The brick had been covered with white siding, and the old ceramic roof replaced with dark gray shingles.

I didn’t even want to look at it, let alone go inside. But the party had already begun, and we had to at least make an appearance.

The moment we stepped out of the car, a valet hurried forward to take the keys from James. Another attendant led us up the grand staircase to the main entrance, where the massive oak doors stood open, spilling golden light and the sounds of laughter and music onto the driveway.

I felt my wolf stir as we made our way inside. She sent a wave of calm through me, reminding me that I was no longer the woman who’d been thrown out of this house. I was stronger now. I had my mate, my child, my wolf, and my friends. I was grateful for all of them, including her.

As we entered the grand foyer, I was struck by just how many people were in attendance. The banquet was clearly a major event, with dozens of elegantly dressed guests milling about, champagne flutes in hand. The air smelled like booze and perfume.

I scanned the room, taking in the sights—the marble floors, the sweeping staircase, the crystal chandelier overhead. The inside hadn’t been changed as much as the outside, because my stepmother had always been more of a superficial person.

Suddenly, I spotted two figures making their way toward us through the crowd. My father and stepmother.

I stiffened, automatically stepping closer to Thea, who was holding Lena’s hand. Elijah straightened beside me and did the same.

“Agnes, darling!” my stepmother chirped as they reached us, her arms outstretched as if we were the best of friends. “I’m so glad you could make it!”

Before I could protest, she was hugging me tightly. I stiffened in her embrace, my skin crawling just at her touch. Her fingers ghosted over the dragon scales trailing down my back, and when she pulled back, she kept them dug in between the plates.

“Interesting gown,” she said, eyes narrowing.

I lifted my chin. “Like it, Stepmother? I made it myself. Used my mother’s work as inspiration.”

She stiffened slightly, eyes narrowing further, but then quickly snapped her smile back into place. She released me and whirled to face Elijah. “And Elijah, how wonderful to see you again!” I let out a small breath as she scurried over to air-kiss Elijah’s cheeks. He tolerated it with a stiff smile.

My father stepped forward next. He hugged me briefly, and as he did, he whispered urgently in my ear, “Why did you come? I told you it’s not safe around her.”

I pulled back and held his gaze, trying to silently convey that I wouldn’t be cowed into submission beneath my stepmother’s heel like he was. I had my wolf back. I had my powers. I had my family and friends. I wasn’t afraid anymore.

He seemed to get the message, but he certainly didn’t seem to like it. He simply pursed his lips, glancing down at the armor surrounding my bodice, before stepping back. I resisted the urge to snarl at him.

“And Thea,” my stepmother cooed, bending down to my daughter’s level. “Give Grandma a hug!”

She reached out to hug Thea, but Elijah smoothly stepped between them. “She’s going through a no-hugging phrase,” he said pleasantly, but with an edge to his voice that anyone with a brain would recognize as a warning.

My stepmother’s smile faltered for just a second before she recovered. “Well, do enjoy the banquet,” she said, straightening up. “There’s plenty of food and drink, and I believe there’s to be an announcement later.”

With that, she turned and walked away, my father trailing behind her. Of course neither of them would point out that my wolf had returned, even though I knew they noticed. Assholes.

Still, I let out a small breath of relief. The first hurdle was over, at least.

“I’m going to take Thea to get some sweets,” Lena said, glancing at me. “I saw a table with children’s treats near the back, and I think I spotted a few kids her age.”

I nodded. “Keep a close eye on her,” I reminded her, even though I knew she would.

As they walked away, James straightened his tie. “I’m going to do a lap, see if I can pick up anything useful,” he murmured. And then he too was gone, disappearing into the crowd with ease.

Elijah took my arm, leading me toward one of the bars set up around the perimeter of the grand ballroom. “Let’s get a drink,” he suggested. “And then we can survey the room properly.”

The bartender handed us each a flute of champagne, which I sipped slowly as we moved to a less crowded area near one of the large windows. From here, we had a good view of most of the room.

“Quite the turnout,” Elijah remarked, his eyes constantly moving, taking in every detail. “Makes you wonder what the occasion is.”

I nodded, also scanning the crowd. “My stepmother never does anything without a reason.”

The guests were the usual mix of pack leaders, business associates, and socialites that my stepmother loved to surround herself with. Everyone was dressed to impress, although none quite as daringly as I was in my golden armor-dress. I’d caught more than a few curious glances since we’d arrived.

“Your dress is definitely making the statement you wanted,” Elijah murmured, following my gaze. “You’re outshining everyone here.”

I smiled, taking another sip of my champagne. “Good.”

Just then, the sound of a spoon tapping against glass rang out, and the room gradually fell silent. All eyes turned to the grand staircase, where my stepmother stood with a beaming smile.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” she announced, her voice carrying easily across the room. “As you know, this is a very special occasion for our family.”

I frowned slightly, exchanging a glance with Elijah. He sent a thread of confusion through the mate bond, and I simply shrugged.

“It is with great pride that I announce the official heir to the Blake family legacy,” my stepmother continued. “Someone who embodies all the values and strength that our family stands for.”

At that moment, a figure emerged at the top of the staircase, and I muttered, “Oh, shit.”

Ava. She was wearing a flowing white gown and, most notably, a delicate tiara that glinted in the chandelier light. I almost laughed out loud. What a fucking joke.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Ava Blake, heir to the Blake family fortune.”

The room erupted into applause as Ava gracefully descended the stairs. I never expected to be the heir, not after my father replaced both his dead wife and his living daughter with my stepmother and Ava, but… still. It stung more than I wanted to admit.

“Ah. So that’s what this is all about,” Elijah said through the bond. “She’s officially cutting you out of the line of succession.”

I shrugged. “It’s not like I was ever going to come back and claim it anyway. Besides, I’ve got your legacy to steal now.”

Elijah snorted. Despite the circumstances, I couldn’t help but chuckle a little, too. Ava must have somehow heard that, because her cold eyes snapped to me. Just to be an ass, I raised my glass of champagne and smirked at her.

Finally, I drained the rest of my champagne and set the empty glass on a passing server’s tray. “Let’s circulate,” I suggested. “See if we can pick up anything useful.”

We spent the next hour moving through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with people I vaguely knew from other functions. Most seemed surprised to see me, which told me that my presence hadn’t been expected.

All the while, I kept an eye on Thea and Lena, who were over by the children’s area. Thea appeared to be having a good time, playing with a few other kids her age while Lena watched attentively.

I was just about to suggest to Elijah that we go to them and try to enjoy the party for a little while when I spotted James cutting through the crowd toward us. His expression was carefully neutral, but both Elijah and I could sense he had news to share.

He reached us quickly, leaning in to whisper something in Elijah’s ear. I couldn’t hear what was said, but I saw Elijah’s eyes widen slightly.

Then, his voice slipped into my mind through our mate bond: “The doctor who helped Olivia escape Elemental Enterprises is here.”