Chapter 73

Emily

It had become a ritual to read the news and daily office memos as I sipped my morning tea.

Buried three pages deep into the contractor briefings, I read the casual note. Position awarded: Chloe Blackwood, Junior Advisor for Eldrin & Vale Consulting. Sector: Infrastructure. Start Date: Immediate.

The tea went cold in my hand. I reread it. Twice.

I had a feeling Chloe was up to something, but this was unexpected. She didn’t do anything without an agenda, and Logan was clearly still top of her list.

Eldrin & Vale was a contractor for Titanfang; they were just far enough from Logan’s direct oversight to avoid scrutiny, but close enough to get access to sensitive information if someone were clever about it.

And Chloe was always clever.

I set the tea down and searched for the full attachment. The contract was legitimate. Which meant Chloe was working with someone pretty high up on the inside.

My mind raced with possibilities of who it could be. Dismissing each name either because it wasn’t possible, or I didn’t want it to be.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it until mid-afternoon when I ran into her.

Chloe wore an expensive tailored suit, her hair styled in soft waves, not a strand out of place. She mingled with the newer staff, charming them all with the same buttery smile she uses on my father.

It was artful, the way she played at being humble; laughing softly, nodding as if she was empathetic to whatever the other person had said.

It was Chloe manipulation 101.

When it was clear I couldn’t avoid speaking to her, she didn’t hesitate. “Emily,” she greeted, voice warm, almost affectionate. “It’s so good to see you in your element.”

I returned the smile, every inch of it fake. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

She tilted her head. “Oh, it’s nothing prestigious. I’m just grateful for the chance to contribute to Pack relations and development. It’s been so rewarding watching Titanfang try and manage with recent new additions.”

There it was—that tone. The undercurrent of condescension. By ‘new additions’, she meant me. And by ‘try and manage’, she meant scramble to do damage control.

“You always did try and make your mark,” I said evenly.

“I do hope so.” She reached out and lightly touched my arm. “If there’s ever anything I can do to support Logan… and you, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I let my smile drop completely. “That’s very… generous of you.”

Chloe moved on before I could answer properly, already laughing at something a junior associate said. But I watched her closely, noting who she lingered near, who leaned in when she spoke, who didn’t look me in the eye afterward.

None of them were people that came to mind earlier, but her game had started again.

But this time, I wasn’t the scared girl hiding in my father’s house. There was no way I would let Chloe push me out again.

That evening, I stopped by the archives to pick up updated land records. The room was quiet, lit only by desk lamps and the last slant of dusk outside the tall windows.

I found Logan already there, a folder opened in front of him. He looked up as I stepped inside.

“You saw the memo,” he said.

I nodded, flipping through the papers I came for. “Oh, I more than saw it, I talked with Chloe when she showed up. And I know you didn’t approve it.”

“No, I didn’t.” His voice was sharp, tight. “It came through one of the outer contracting firms. I flagged it the second it hit the system.”

“She’s not here for some friendly family reunion,” I said. “She’s placing herself close enough to push me out, eventually. If we ignore it, she’ll slip a knife in my back… or yours.”

Logan didn’t argue. “I’ve already limited her clearance. I’ll have the firm’s files reviewed.”

Something about his voice—flat, controlled—made me pause. He didn’t sound angry. He sounded protective. That mad me pause.

“I won’t let her get close enough to hurt you,” he said, quieter this time. “Not while I can stop it.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. So, I just muttered, “I’m watching her, too,” and gathered my files.

As I left the room, I found myself exhaling a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

The threat wasn’t gone, but for the first time in a long time I didn’t feel like I was watching my back alone.

It felt nice.

Third Person

Chloe Bennett knew how to enter a room, knew how to make an entrance. She arrived ate to the gala on purpose.

It was a modest event by Titanfang standards. Industry networking hosted by a smaller eastern Pack, but the right people were present.

Influential trade partners, Pack representatives, Lunas the Chloe knew and wanted to be a member of. It was a blurring between the lines of politics and personal advancement.

Perfect conditions for a reintroduction on her own terms.

Chloe’s heels clicked softly as she crossed the floor, her crimson silk dress flowing behind her. The whispers that followed her confirmed she had timed things perfectly.

Didn’t she used to be with Logan, and Emily’s ex?

She’s with Eldrin & Vale now, right? Must’ve landed on her feet.

Chloe smiled when she heard the gossip. Not at the people speaking, it wouldn’t do to confirm or deny anything, but just to herself. A good reputation wasn’t as useful as a curious one.

She found Logan near the gallery wing, speaking with a Beta. His shoulders were tense, arms folded like he either didn’t want to be there or didn’t like what he Beta had to say.

He was a man with little patience for flattery. Still, she approached with a confident tilt of her head, and the smile that used to guarantee he went to her bed.

“Logan,” she said smoothly, letting his drop with familiarity.

He turned slowly. When his eyes met hers, they were cold and sharp, and not at all pleased to see her.

“I didn’t realize we’d both be here,” she added with a soft laugh. “Or perhaps I hoped.”

His expression didn’t shift.

“Chloe,” he said, voice clipped.

That was all. No smile. No how are you. Not even a hint of nostalgia.

Chloe’s lashes fluttered just once. She adjusted the neckline of her dress, trying to draw his eyes to her chest. It drew the Beta’s instead.

“I’ve been meaning to review the revised proposals. I hear Titanfang’s infrastructure model is being used as a framework.”

“They’re under internal audit,” Logan replied. “If you have questions, you can direct them to the contracts liaison.”

Dismissed. Entirely. Logan turned back to the Beta without sparing her another word.

Chloe stood still for half a second too long, her mouth gently curved even as the air cooled around her. She gave a courteous nod, stepped away with grace, and didn’t look back.

But hidden inside she was boiling with anger and rejection.

She made her way to a smaller side room where the music was quieter. Carla was waiting by the display of archival blueprints, tablet in hand and eyes sharp behind thin-framed glasses.

Chloe took a sip from her glass of champagne and let the tension slide from her shoulders. “He’s not playing this time.”

Carla signed with frustration. “He hasn’t been for a while.”

Chloe nodded slowly. “Still, image is everything. If I can’t touch him, I’ll go for what he’s protecting.”

Carla tapped something on the tablet and turned the screen toward her.

“I’ve started circulating quotes to fringe platforms and third-tier columnists. Concerns on Pack legitimacy, dormant wolves, succession ambiguity, blah blah. Nothing concrete, but the questions are out there now.”

Chloe’s lips curled. “Let them come to conclusions themselves. We don’t need to say Emily’s unfit, even though she is. We just need people to wonder if she might be.”

Carla tilted her head. “There’s always risk in vague attacks.”

“There’s more risk in being obvious,” Chloe replied, cool and certain. “If we press too hard, she gets sympathy. If we don’t make it obvious we mean her, her approval continues to increase.”

Carla gave a slow, thoughtful nod. “The long game, then.”

“Always,” Chloe murmured, swirling the champagne once before setting it down.

She looked back out toward the main floor. Somewhere, Emily was likely smiling for the cameras, surrounded by allies and unaware of the rug being tugged beneath her feet.

Let her smile, Chloe thought. She’ll be crying soon enough.