Delilah's mouth dropped open. "Aunt Viv!"
"What?" Vivienne shrugged. "I'm only suggesting you reclaim a little dignity. It builds character."
"But what if he changes his mind?" Delilah shot back, panic flaring. "What if they find someone else born that same day? I cannot risk it."
Vivienne's heart cracked at the fear in her voice. She reached out, taking Delilah's hands in hers. "Sweetheart," she said gently, "an alpha who can be swayed that easily is not an alpha worth breaking yourself for. Do you know what it means to be mated to the Shadow Wolf?"
"You don't understand," Delilah whispered. "I've waited for this. I've wanted to prove to father that I can do great things, maybe he will finally notice me, notice that I matter. That I am not just a reminder of my mother. If this slips through my fingers—"
