Being the daughter of the Ashcrofts had never made me incapable of maneuvering within the upper echelons of the pack. I had the claws to lift him to power, and just as easily, I could tear him down from the heights he now claimed.
Clutching the resignation scroll in my hand, I made my move to leave this suffocating den of deceit.
But as I took my first step, Mr. Webb from the pack’s administration blocked my path, a false smile plastered across his face.
“Raven, there’s no need to hurry away just yet,” he said, adjusting his glasses, the tone of his voice laced with authority and a thin veneer of civility. “Before stepping down, you must sign a declaration confirming that your actions while under our pack’s roof have no ongoing influence over our affairs. You’ll also need to sign a binding non-compete clause—ensuring you cannot use your connections to poach clients or allies once you leave.”
Not long ago, I had been Alaric’s mate, respected and feared in equal measure, my ability to secure powerful alliances earning me the utmost courtesy from the pack.
Mr. Webb had fawned over me then, bowing his head and addressing me with the reverence due to “Mrs. Thorne.” That time had passed. Now, he looked down at me with a self-satisfied smirk, as though diminishing me might somehow restore his own sense of significance.
I studied his pathetic display and replied, voice ice-cold, “A declaration? A non-compete? And what makes you think I would ever sign either of them?”
His smile evaporated instantly, replaced by a hard edge. “Because of your dirty little schemes! The pack has already shown mercy by not pressing charges—do not mistake our restraint for weakness!”
I laughed, bitter and unrestrained. “Dirty schemes? Evidence? Or are you simply referring to those conveniently misinterpreted images?”
Lilith strutted forward, heels clicking against the stone floor, manicured finger jabbed toward my pack communicator. “Isn’t the proof right there in your device? Who knows how many contacts you’ve hoarded? Step out of here, and who’s to say you won’t seduce one by one to secure a new alliance?”
Before I could react, Mr. Webb lunged for my communicator. My fingers grazed it—and then it was gone.
“Give it back!” I snapped.