Vanya's POV
Stepping into the Packhouse living room, I saw Cliff sitting on the sofa, tending to Melinda's wounds intently.
As soon as I appeared, Melinda jumped up like a startled fawn, her expression flustered as she explained, "Luna Vanya, Alpha Cliff just saw that I was injured and wanted to help bandage me..."
However, she was abruptly cut off by Cliff's cold voice, "There's no need to explain."
Hearing Cliff's words, Melinda quickly lowered her head like a child who had made a mistake.
She snuggled up beside him, looking exactly like a frightened little rabbit seeking shelter.
Witnessing Cliff's indifferent gaze, which mirrored my past memories, felt like my heart was plunged into an icy abyss.
The gratitude I had felt towards him vanished.
It seemed he had never truly cared about my feelings.
"I'm very tired."
I said, not wanting to linger in the suffocating atmosphere any longer. I turned and headed towards the stairs.
My thoughts had already moved past the entanglement between Cliff and Melinda.
After the harrowing experience, I realized that if Jasper could so easily launch an attack on me, others with ill intentions could do the same.
I couldn't remain a weak wolf relying on the pack's protection, hoping for Cliff's patronage.
I needed to become a strong, self-reliant she-wolf. Otherwise, my fate would always be at the mercy of others, as fragile as a flickering candle in the wind.
The next day, I woke up early, preparing to go out.
As I descended to the living room, I saw Veronica sitting there, with Melinda standing beside her, her eyes red and puffy, as if she had been crying.
"Mrs. Todd?" I frowned, puzzled.
Veronica rarely visited here. What brought her today?
"I heard you spent five million dollars on an obsidian rough?" Veronica's tone was accusatory, making the atmosphere tense.
I slowly walked down the stairs, sat in front of her, and poured her a cup of coffee from the pot.
"Yes, that's true," I replied calmly.
"And you were kidnapped by an enemy last night, right?" she continued to press.
"Yes," I lowered my eyes slightly, pondering her intentions behind these questions.
"You must understand, as the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, one of the most powerful packs in Los Angeles, you should keep a low profile. Business and strengthening the pack's power are the Alpha's concerns. Your priority now is to have a child, to prevent others with ulterior motives from getting the wrong idea."
Veronica spoke meaningfully, glancing at Melinda, who stood beside her.
Following her gaze, I looked at Melinda.
As expected, her eyes welled up with tears at the words, and she said with a hint of grievance, "Mrs. Todd, I just..."
"You don't have a say here!" Veronica cut her off mercilessly, leaving Melinda speechless.
"Cliff is becoming more and more derelict in his duties, allowing a rogue to step into the Silver Moon Pack, disregarding our rules and dignity."
Veronica's words were like a sharp sword, slicing through the calm air.
At the same time, it also plunged me into the painful memories of my past life.
In my past life, she had stood firmly by my side, using her authority and power to shield me from all external storms.
She despised Melinda, who was a rogue.
But the merciless gears of fate turned, and that protection didn't last long.
A few years later, the Thunder Pack suffered a significant setback and declined, and I was unable to bear children, as if fate was cruelly mocking me.
At that time, Melinda returned from abroad, transforming into Cliff's capable assistant in the business field.
Like a well-planned hunter, she used her gentleness and diligence to gradually break down Veronica's defenses, eventually leading Veronica to withdraw her support for me.
Ultimately, all these changes were part of a complex game of interests and power.
Just then, Cliff, who was about to head to the company, walked into the living room and heard Veronica's sharp accusations.
His brow furrowed slightly, seemingly annoyed by this sudden conflict. "Veronica, Melinda was injured last night, and I allowed her to stay here for the night. Don't blame her," he said.
Veronica let out a cold laugh, filled with mockery and disdain. "You might have good intentions, but her true intentions are not so certain. This morning, as soon as I entered the Packhouse, I saw her bustling in the kitchen, breakfast already prepared. For a moment, I thought the Silver Moon Pack had quietly changed its Luna."