Vanya's POV
Elmer Dalton, who had been quiet until now, saw Aldridge getting angry at Mirabel and immediately stepped up to protect her.
He exuded an aura of hostility.
In the werewolf world, this kind of aura was a warning to rivals, signaling that he was ready to fight to protect the person behind him.
His eyes bulged as he roared, "Dad! Mom's right! Vanya is the daughter of the former Alpha of the Thunder Pack. They've raised her for years, and it's time she did something for the pack! She's enjoyed the family's resources. It's only fair she contributes to the pack's interests. It's her duty!"
His voice was hoarse with anger. He looked at me like I was his sworn enemy.
"Shut up!" Aldridge bellowed at Elmer. His voice thundered through the hall, carrying the weight of an Alpha's authority.
Elmer flinched, and though he was not willing, he didn't dare say another word.
Defying an Alpha's command was serious business.
Aldridge turned to me, his eyes filled with affection and concern. "Vanya is the only child Harold left behind. I promised him I'd take care of her. Let's drop this subject. The Dalton family will survive even without Alpha Cliff. We can't sacrifice Vanya's happiness for profit. It goes against our werewolf values of loyalty and protection."
I didn't speak, but I knew how much Aldridge cared for me.
He had always treated me like his own daughter, and his unwavering support was a rare warmth in the cold world of family politics.
"Trust me, Aldridge. I won't let the Dalton family fall apart," I said firmly, feeling a surge of determination to protect this family.
Mirabel was fuming, her eyes flashing with anger. She shouted hysterically, "Trust you? How can we trust you? You think a few finance classes at Wolfe will make you capable of running the Dalton family? Don't forget, we're werewolves. Managing the family takes more than book smarts. It needs strength and authority!"
In her eyes, I was just a naive girl.
"Yeah, Aldridge, think this through. If Vanya breaks up with Alpha Cliff, what will we do? Our family's status in the werewolf world will plummet. What will other packs think of us? Our business, our influence—it'll all be affected!"
"Vanya, you can't be so selfish! If you reject Alpha Cliff, we'll all be left high and dry. Can you bear to see the family decline because of you? To become a laughingstock to other packs?"
The Dalton family executives chimed in, their voices blending into a cacophony of worry and accusation. They were terrified of losing everything they had.
The fate of the family was tied to every member's survival. They were afraid of losing it all.
"Enough! Anyone who says another word can get out of the Thunder Pack!" Aldridge roared, his Alpha aura reaching its peak and sweeping through the hall like a storm.
Everyone was instantly silenced, heads down, not daring to breathe.
Though Aldridge was usually kind and easygoing, when he was angry, his Alpha presence was unchallengeable.
"Aldridge... thank you," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude.
I knew he was shielding me, protecting me from the pressure.
I knew breaking up with Cliff would be tough for the Dalton family, but I swore it wouldn't last long.
As the daughter of the former Thunder Pack Alpha, with strong Alpha blood in my veins, I wouldn't let anyone who relied on the family look down on me. I needed to prove my worth.
In the evening, I stayed with the Thunder Pack. After Aldridge sent the others away, he called me to his study.
Over the years, he had aged visibly, with deep lines etched on his face. Now, his brows were furrowed with worry.
Though werewolves aged slower than humans, the constant stress of family affairs had taken its toll.
"Vanya, does Alpha Cliff really treat you badly?" he asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion, his eyes full of concern.
"Not exactly bad, he just doesn't like me," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. I didn't want him to see the turmoil inside me.
Relationships between mates were complicated and delicate, and not being liked was both frustrating and common.
"And how do you feel?" he pressed, his gaze fixed on me, as if trying to see into my soul.