Free Web NovelChapter 101: Chapter 101 Blood Ties and Betrayals
Author’POV
Alpha Astra deliberately ignored the disbelief in Sylvia’s eyes.
In her mind, Sylvia had become a serious threat to the company’s reputation and image.
If she didn’t take a harsh stance now, the shareholders would force her hand later.
Better to be the villain herself. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"What exactly are you implying, Mother?" Sylvia’s voice caught slightly, her emotions clearly threatening to break through her carefully maintained control.
From her seat, Selene watched with barely contained delight.
The sight of her ever-perfect sister finally being put in her place was almost too sweet to resist laughing aloud.
*Look at you now, Sylvia. Where’s that confidence when your precious Alpha Astra finally sees through you?*
Had the timing been different, Selene would have allowed herself to openly savor the moment.
"What am I implying?" Alpha Astra’s face remained stone cold. "I gave you this position to serve the pack and company, not to act as you please. The Moon Goddess knows I didn’t elevate you just so you could destroy everything we’ve built."
"I haven’t done anything wrong," Sylvia insisted, her wolf pressing against her skin, desperate to howl in protest. "Mother, I’ve had no contact with him. This is clearly orchestrated—"
"That’s your problem to solve, not mine," Alpha Astra cut her off. "This situation has damaged the pack’s standing, which means I must intervene."
"But I—"
Selene smoothly interrupted, seizing the opportunity to twist the knife. "Sister, please don’t argue with Mother." She moved behind Alpha Astra, gently rubbing her shoulders with practiced care. "Can’t you see how stressed she is? Why must you always challenge her?"
Her voice dripped with false concern as she continued, "Mother has built this company from nothing, sacrificed everything. The least you could do is show some respect for once."
Sylvia’s face darkened as she recognized the game being played. "I know all this without your reminders, Selene. Mother’s sacrifices have never been lost on me."
She wasn’t stupid. Selene’s little performance was nothing but calculated manipulation, and engaging with it directly would only worsen her position.
"I care deeply about Mother’s wellbeing," Sylvia stated, forcing herself to remain outwardly calm while her inner wolf clawed for release.
Selene continued massaging Alpha Astra’s shoulders, her next words casual yet precisely aimed. "If you truly cared, you wouldn’t allow such stories to spread online." Her eyes gleamed with malice. "And what about your former mate? I heard he caused quite a scene outside the company recently."
At this revelation, Alpha Astra’s eyes snapped open, fixing Sylvia with a hard stare. "I’d nearly forgotten about that incident. Thank you for reminding me, Selene."
"If you were truly concerned about my health, you’d stop causing problems," Alpha Astra growled, her Alpha energy filling the room.
Sylvia held Selene’s gaze, not missing the flash of triumph that crossed her sister’s features.
Every muscle in her body tensed as she fought to contain her rising wolf.
"I understand, Mother," Sylvia replied, lowering her eyes in feigned submission.
There was no point in challenging her mother directly—not yet.
The immediate priority was addressing the online situation and identifying who was behind it.
Alpha Astra studied her daughter’s submissive posture and felt doubt creeping in.
Had her decision to make Sylvia general manager been a mistake all along?
Sensing weakness, Selene pressed her advantage.
"Mother, please don’t get too upset. Your health is precious to all of us." She paused dramatically before adding, "Besides, now that my sister has created this mess, you’ll just have to clean it up yourself, won’t you?"
The words ignited Alpha Astra’s frustration anew.
"You’re right as always, Selene. You’ve always been the thoughtful one." She turned her attention back to Sylvia, eyes narrowing. "You created this disaster; now you fix it."
"I’m starting to question whether letting you handle the Vertex project was the right decision at all," she added, her voice edged with disappointment.
"Mother, you cannot dismiss all my efforts because of one incident," Sylvia protested, her hands clenched at her sides as her wolf howled inside her
. Days, weeks, months of tireless work—was it all to be erased by Selene’s manipulations?
The Vertex project belonged to her alone. She’d bled for it, sacrificed for it.
Alpha Astra’s expression hardened at what she perceived as defiance. "Look at you. Your sister knows how to respect her Alpha, how to consider others. If I’d given this project to her instead, we might not be facing this crisis."
"Your capabilities are seriously in question, Sylvia. Perhaps your wolf is too strong-willed for leadership after all."
The words hit Sylvia like physical blows.
She stepped back involuntarily, staring at her mother as if seeing her for the first time.
When had maternal guidance transformed into pure criticism and favoritism?
"Mother, let’s not forget who secured this project initially," Sylvia reminded her, voice steady despite her inner turmoil.
Her statement carried a clear implication—was Alpha Astra really prepared to dismiss her contributions so easily? freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
The project was hers. She’d developed it, nurtured it.
To watch Selene swoop in and claim credit now would be more than she could bear.
Alpha Astra bristled at the perceived challenge. "Who do you think you’re speaking to, Sylvia? What gives you the right to use that tone with your Alpha?"
"I’m simply stating facts, Mother. I want you to remember the truth of how this project came to be."
"Oh, I remember perfectly well," Alpha Astra replied coldly.
This daughter before her seemed suddenly like a stranger—given everything yet somehow still unsatisfied.
Meanwhile, sweet Selene had nothing yet remained loyal and caring.
For the first time, Alpha Astra felt doubt creeping in about her succession plans.
"Are you trying to threaten me with this information?" she asked, her Alpha energy flooding the room.
The word "threaten" made Sylvia flinch visibly.
She stepped back again, truly seeing her mother’s cold eyes as they traveled over her dismissively. Something fundamental had broken between them—something perhaps irreparable.
A bitter smile crossed Sylvia’s lips. "I would never threaten you, Mother. The project belongs to the company, as you say."
"But—"
Alpha Astra cut her off harshly. "But nothing. If the project belongs to the company, then I decide who manages it. If I choose to give it to Selene, that’s my prerogative as Alpha. You have no say in the matter."
Hearing these words, Selene could barely contain her joy.
She’d waited for this moment for so long, plotted and planned for it. And now Alpha Astra had suggested it herself! Perhaps her opportunity had finally arrived.
"Mother, do you really mean it?" Selene asked with carefully crafted hesitation. "Even with my... health concerns, if I could take some burden from your shoulders, nothing would make me happier."
She looked at Sylvia’s face with a satisfied expression.
The mask of submission was slipping, revealing the storm beneath. *Perfect.*
