Chapter 148. An Old Friend

Elena’s POV

For a second, I honestly thought I’d misheard him.

I stared at him, my mind stalling. “You can’t be serious.”

His reaction wasn’t anger, it was laughter. Sharp, loud, almost amused to tears. He leaned back like he’d just heard the best joke of his life.,”Wow,” he said between laughs. “That expression is priceless. Relax. I don’t want that.” His smile turned cruel. “Why would I care who Philip marries? His love life means absolutely nothing to me.”

I clenched my fists. This man was unhinged.

“Then what do you want?” I snapped. “Say it.”

His smile thinned. “I want you to talk to Philip. Convince him to step down. Give up his claim to the Alpha title.”

The words didn’t land right away. “Why?” I asked slowly. “You already hold the position.”

The humor vanished from his face like a switch had been flipped.

“Ever since he returned,” he growled, “he’s been stirring trouble. Meeting elders. Building alliances behind my