"What did you say?" Zason's composure broke, his voice dropping to a harsh hiss.
He caught himself, glancing nervously at the opulent walls of the drawing room, and forced his expression back into a mask of fatherly concern.
"Adeline, you are about to become an Alpha Princess. Leave the past behind. The Alpha King intervened to protect us yesterday, surely that proves we still have value in his eyes."
Adeline crossed her arms, her posture rigid and unyielding. "Stop asking for favors, Dad. The Alpha King didn't protect you or the family; he protected his son's future. I was never a priority to you, and I certainly won't be a stepping stone for your advancement now."
The double doors creaked open, and Janessa and Catalina stepped into the drawing room. They had clearly caught the tail end of the exchange, and their expressions hardened.
Adeline wasn't the submissive girl they had dragged to the capital; she was something else entirely.
