Chapter 2

Albert seemed caught off guard that I'd bring this up.

He stayed silent for a moment and then finally spoke in a low voice.

He said, "Daniela, I didn't expect you to keep score.

"Helping my pack was your decision. That doesn't make me your mate."

I cut him off with a bitter laugh. "Now you regret it?

"Tell me, Albert. Which time wasn't my pack bleeding for yours?

"You honestly believe a partnership this one-sided actually exists?"

"Are you done?" Albert's voice spiked, as if I had hit a nerve. "Sure, my pack owes yours. But do you really think I ever wanted any of this?

"All these years, you've been keeping me under your pack's thumb. That so-called 'help' has bruised my pride. Because of your little favors, I'm the joke my brothers never let me live down.

"Daniela, I've been long sick of it."

The disgust in his voice hit me like a physical blow.

The whispers instantly flooded with compliments.

"The mark has made Albert fearless. He laid his cards on the table so soon."

"Daniela is way too scheming. She's always bringing up the favors, basically trying to guilt him. Everyone can see she's only doing it because she likes Albert and is happy to go out of her way for him."

"Honestly, his pack isn't what it used to be. Once Albert's fully in charge, his pack could easily outshine hers."

"Daniela won't give up that easily. She's head over heels for Albert. She might do something completely reckless."

"No worries. Albert's got this. He'll protect Cleo well this time."

Before I could argue back, Albert hung up on me.

The whispers disappeared all at once.

*****

The next morning, Albert caught up with Cleo, holding a bottle of warm milk.

With everyone watching, he handed her the milk.

"Here," Albert said, his voice soft but clear enough for everyone around to hear. "Skipping breakfast all the time is bad for your health."

Cleo's cheeks flushed, and she instinctively took a step back.

She said, "Albert, thanks for saving me yesterday.

"But this doesn't feel right—"

"It's fine," Albert interrupted, raising his voice on purpose. "Don't worry. As long as I'm around, no one's going to mess with you."

As I turned the corner, all the students' eyes fell on me, some surprised, some sneering, and some openly mocking.

"Whoa, what's going on with Albert and Cleo?"

"You just noticed? Albert's been acting different around her for a while."

"So what about Daniela? Isn't she into—"

"Shh, she's the alpha's daughter from another pack."

Their whispers felt like needles, sharp and stinging.

I shot Albert and Cleo a cold look and decided to take the long way around.

However, Cleo jogged after me.

She shoved the milk into my hands, her eyes red and glistening.

She said, "Daniela, I know you like Albert, but I swear I didn't know what would happen today.

"I hope you're not upset."

As I expected, the moment I ran into Albert and Cleo, the whispers started echoing in my mind.

"Cleo, don't let her push you around. Albert's favoritism is so obvious. Be a little braver."

"There's nothing she can do about it. Daniela is powerful and well-connected. Cleo can't afford to offend her."

"Why does Daniela always act so overbearing? No wonder Albert can't stand her."

"No wonder he dislikes her. If she hadn't used her pack's influence to pressure Albert to be her mate, he wouldn't have hated her pack so much."

I pointed at Albert behind Cleo and said coolly, "Cleo, if you don't want the milk, tell him yourself.

"What's the point of dragging me into this?"

Cleo bit her lip hard.

She said, "Daniela, I know I'm only an Omega, so you don't really think much of me.

"But I swear, I was trying to help."

Albert pulled Cleo behind him, his eyes sharp and cautious.

He said, "Daniela, why do you always have to haunt me?

"Take the milk as a gift. Stop bothering Cleo."

His glare was full of contempt.

I looked down, unfazed, and tossed the milk straight into the trash.

I said, "Save your concern. I don't need your cheap hand-me-downs."

I meant both the milk and him.

Albert's eyes widened in shock for a moment.

Then his expression turned cold right away.

He said, "Daniela, I never knew you could be so sharp-tongued.

"Say sorry to Cleo."

He'd gotten so used to bossing me around. I couldn't remember when it started.

But this time, I didn't bother replying. I turned and walked to the classroom.

*****

My dad quickly noticed the change in my attitude toward Albert.

That night, he called me into his study.

He said, "Albert's pack came to me again, asking me to help expand their northern border. I haven't decided yet.

"Daniela, what do you think?"

I knew my dad had always disapproved of how his pack operated.

They were all about profit, from top to bottom, skilled at kissing up to the powerful and crushing anyone beneath them.

But Albert was different. He took pride in his integrity and never fought for territory, making him stand out in his pack.

In the past, I liked him, and my dad found out I had feelings for Albert.

Out of love for his only daughter, my dad treated supporting Albert's pack like backing his future son-in-law.

But now that Albert and I had broken up, there was no reason to keep the alliance between our packs.

"Dad, from now on, we'll only do things that benefit our pack," I said, glancing at his tired face. A wave of guilt hit me for not seeing things clearly sooner.

I tossed Albert's pack's territorial expansion plan into the trash, like it meant nothing.

I added, "His pack has been taking advantage of ours for years.

"But I'm over it now. This is where it ends."

My dad smiled, clearly pleased, and spoke to me with genuine sincerity.

He said, "Daniela, remember this. One day, the pack will be yours.

"Every decision you make will shape our pack's future.

"When it comes to something as important as choosing a mate, you need to be extra careful."

I gently took his hand, and my mind couldn't help but recall how he harmed me.

No matter what, this time I would protect my pack and everything my father had worked so hard for.