That night, I told Riley everything.
I told her about Snowville. About Grant handing the Alpha authority of the company to me. About Monica's lies. About Lincy's fall. About the pack politics hidden behind business meetings and polite smiles. About how Mom and Grant circled each other for years—love tangled with pride, regret mixed with longing.
I told her how I stepped into the chaos and took control.
When I finished, Riley sat very still for a long time. The bathroom lights were warm, steam still clinging to the mirrors. Her eyes were lowered, thoughtful.
What I had lived through in a few months was more intense than the twenty years she remembered. The betrayals. The hidden alliances. The blood ties and broken bonds.
Finally, she pulled me into a tight hug.
"Elena… you've done so much," she said softly. "I always knew you were capable. But I didn't think you'd be this… powerful. You're braver than me. Stronger than me. Thank you."
