Vanya's POV
I was quiet for a moment. Once, my feelings for Cliff ran deep, pure and passionate.
But now, after everything that's happened, I've let go.
Love is often uncontrollable, and a wounded heart, even when healed, will always bear scars.
Aldridge looked at my expression and seemed to understand something. He patted my shoulder, his large and warm hand offering a sense of comfort.
"Vanya, I'm sorry you've been through this," he said softly.
I shook my head. "Aldridge, there's something I want to talk to you about."
"Is it about you and Alpha Cliff?" he guessed.
"No, I want to take over the Dalton family for a while," I said firmly, my eyes showing my determination.
Aldridge looked at me in confusion, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Vanya, I know you've learned a lot at Wolfe. If you want to gain some experience, I can give you a few small companies under the Dalton family's name. But taking over the entire family... I'm worried..."
His voice trailed off, filled with concern.
"I know, Aldridge. You're worried that the others won't trust me, especially since I've just decided to break up with Alpha Cliff. They won't respect my authority," I said, understanding his concerns. In this hierarchical werewolf society, status and strength are everything, and my decision had undoubtedly made some people question my ability.
Aldridge nodded. "I'm glad you understand."
His eyes showed a hint of relief, as if he was satisfied with my maturity.
"Then I'll ask you, Aldridge, to give me the few struggling companies under the Dalton family's name to manage," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.
"Struggling ones?" Aldridge looked puzzled, not understanding why I would choose the companies that were losing money.
"Yes, the ones that are struggling," I replied firmly. In my view, to make the extended family members of the Dalton family feel at ease with me taking over, I needed to show results and give them hope. Only by turning around these struggling companies could I prove my ability and earn their respect.
As I walked out of the study, something heavy hit my back.
I stumbled, a wave of anger rising inside me.
I turned around to see Elmer, dressed in casual clothes.
At seventeen, he was in the midst of werewolf adolescence, growing rapidly and now towering over me.
He looked at me with contempt, his eyes filled with disdain and arrogance.
"Vanya, I warn you! Don't even think about taking my family's property!" he growled, a hostile aura emanating from him.
"Elmer, did your mom teach you manners? Technically, I'm your cousin. Who do you think you're talking to like that?" I narrowed my eyes, my voice cold.
"Ha! Don't try to pull rank with me! You were raised by my parents. You're just a woman. I'm the only heir of the Dalton family! The Thunder Pack's fortune is mine!" His words were filled with arrogance and presumption.
In his eyes, it seemed women in the werewolf world should be inferior, always relying on men.
No doubt Mirabel had taught him this.
I let out a cold laugh, a faint Alpha aura seeping from me. Even a small release of this power made the air around us seem to chill.
This was a symbol of strength and a warning to anyone who dared to challenge me.
"Who taught you to speak like that?" I asked, my voice deep and icy, like a wolf's howl in the dead of night, sending a chill down his spine.
Elmer's eyes flickered with guilt, but his youthful pride wouldn't let him back down easily.
"No one taught me!" he retorted, his neck stiffening, though his shifting gaze betrayed him.
"Is that so?" I stared at him coldly, my aura growing stronger. The ground beneath us seemed to tremble slightly from the sheer force of it.
"Watch your mouth if you don't want to be thrown out. Next time, see how I deal with you," I warned. As someone with strong Alpha blood, I had a certain status and power. I wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"Vanya! Do you think I'm afraid of you?" Elmer tried to sneer, though my aura had clearly shaken him.
He attempted to cover his unease with a look of disdain, but his trembling hands gave him away.
"You're about to break up with Alpha Cliff anyway. Who do you think will protect you? If I were you, I'd go crawling back to the Silver Moon Pack and beg Alpha Cliff for mercy. Maybe you could still be Luna Vanya for a few more days!" His words were dripping with sarcasm and malice.
In his mind, without Cliff's connection, I was nothing.
The moment Elmer finished speaking, I could no longer hold back my anger.
I slapped him with lightning speed. The sharp "crack" echoed loudly in the quiet space, his face turning red instantly with a clear handprint.