Page 37 of Claimed By My Fiancé's Brother

I ignored it, my cheeks burning with mortification as I stood by myself. Losing on my own merit was fine, but needing Dylan to save me was humiliating…and the entire pack had watched it happen.

“I don’t need your help,” I said hotly. “Not yesterday, and not today.”

Dylan’s hands formed fists at his sides and his gaze darkened.

“Don’t think I forgot your betrayal, Eleanor. I wasn’t helping you,” he said, his voice dipping to a whisper for his final words. “I’m the only one allowed to hurt you.”

How original. Yet another person in this pack wanted to hurt me.

I rolled my eyes.

“Get in line.”

With that, I walked out of the ring and straight toward the bean bags to spar solo.

After that debacle, no one was going to talk to me, much less spot me, out of fear of pissing off Dylan or Micah.

So much for socializing.

I took out my frustration on the bean bag, keenly aware of the eyes watching me the entire time.

When I finally returned to our room, Alexander still wasn’t back. I felt a slight twinge before I headed to my room and noticed Lily laying out a selection of dresses.

I looked at the dresses on my bed with confusion.

“What is this for?” I asked.

Lily smiled at me.

“The alpha called for a gathering tonight.”

Yet another celebration. Did the Nightshade Pack party every night?

How exhausting.

“I’m not up for an event tonight,” I informed Lily, heading to the bathroom for a warm bath to relax my aching muscles.

All the parties would be the same. Alexander would wander off to talk to Anastasia or another woman while the rest of the pack acted like I didn’t exist.

Lily stood in my way, a soft apology on her lips.

“I’m afraid you must go, Mistress,” she said. “The alpha is going to officially step down and crown the next alpha of the Nightshade Pack.”

I froze.

No wonder the wolves at the training center behaved that way toward me. In mere hours, Dylan and Micah would ascend to alpha and luna, respectively.

What would that mean for me? Would my life get even worse?

“Will Alexander be back soon?” I asked.

Lily averted her gaze, a harsh set to her lips.

“He might not make it for the announcement, so you must be present in his stead, Mistress.”

Being present in his stead? That made it sound like we were mated in truth, but my lack of access to the pack link said otherwise.

The party was just as I’d anticipated—dull and dreary, with most of the wolves ignoring me as usual. Alpha Maximus was absent, so the party revolved around Dylan and Micah.

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