But me? I’d been disposable.
You’re not a pet, I reminded myself sharply.
Never were.
I arrived at the auction venue right on time.
Marrying into the Hale world had given me one real advantage: I knew how to navigate these glittering, cutthroat events with confidence now. No more shrinking into the background.
I headed straight for the seat reserved for Denise. I’d barely reached it when I spotted her: Liliana, seated front and center, surrounded by a group of admirers like some kind of social queen.
Our eyes nearly met. I glanced away, pretending I hadn’t seen her.
Fake-ass home wrecker. Moon Goddess, please curse her already.
But avoiding her didn’t work.
Liliana spotted me instantly, just as she had at the old Alpha’s birthday party. She stopped mid-conversation, turned, and
