Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine

Chapter 2

Three Months Later I never minded winter before. My wolf loved to run in the snow . But since losing Ava and the damage

to my body, the cold makes my bones ache and the pain in my fingers almost unbearable.

In prison, they ripped out my fingernails and broke my bones. The doctors reset my fingers, but with no

actual surgery the damage to the nerves and joints was permanent. And without my wolf, I can’t

regenerate.

My fingers always throb now. There’s nothing to be done for it, so I try to think of other things, to keep

my mind off the pain.

I shove my tools back into my locker and zip my coat.

There are only a handful of employees working at this hour and most of them flit around pretending to

work.

This sanitation center is in neutral territory, not controlled by any pack. The lowest of wolves from the

four reigning packs in the area can still find work here. There are other rogues, humans that don’t

realize what we are, and poor wolves that aren’t wanted elsewhere.

It isn’t bad, I suppose. The work is hard and the hours are long. But it’s a legitimate job, and it pays the

bills.

“Did you hear? Sean Stevens got engaged to Lily Atkinson!”

I stop dead in my tracks.

It’s one of my coworkers, sitting behind the reception desk with her feet up and watching entertainment

news.

Sean Stevens.

My Alpha…

Sean, whose cold eyes still haunt me even after all these years.

‘So… he’s moving on and marrying Lily?’ Bile rises in my throat.

It’s because of Lily that my life went to trash.

She always wanted to be Luna, and hated me because I didn’t come from a wealthy family like she

does. And also because… she wanted Sean for herself.

Wolves are known to be ruthless, but Lily is more ruthless than most.

I should know…

She killed my grandfather.

Lily’s smiling face on the tv screen mocks me. Her long hair is swept back. Her face glowing flawlessly.

And she’s looking up at Sean like he’s the only man in the world.

My stomach pitches when I think of all I’ve lost—all they’ve taken from me.

I open the door outside into the cold night, my breath fogging up the air.

I had been that girl.

Gorgeous clothes. Fancy cars. A life of luxury. The envy of she-wolves throughout the region.

Lily Atkinson was living my life.

Now, I’m a no-name who cleans streets for a living.

I shove my hands into my pockets and start the long walk home. The studio apartment I rent is three

miles away. It’s still in the neutral zone within the city, so I’m lucky that I don’t have to commute from

far. I’ve thought about moving far away and petitioning another pack for clemency.

I could be a servant or maybe put my degrees to use somehow. But such a move would take money.

And that’s if the new pack wanted to risk Sean’s wrath. Because I’ve discovered since getting out of

prison that Sean had made it his personal mission to keep me in the gutter.

Before the accident, I’d gone to school and graduated at the top of my class. I was an attorney!

But my education and title meant nothing now, as a convicted felon. Even human companies had been

warned against me.

I’ll sweep the streets and pick up trash along the side of the road and save what money I can. Then,

when I have enough, I’ll leave this place. Forever.

I don’t mind the work. It’s honest. With my wolf gone, my senses aren’t as acute, so the stink doesn’t

bother me much. And the night shift I work is quiet, so I don’t have to interact with anyone if I don't want

to.

I tug my coat tighter and keep walking.

The businesses in this area closed hours ago, making the streets eerily quiet.

Headlights flash as a car speeds past me in the opposite direction. The engine slows. I cast a quick

glance over my shoulder and watch the car pull a U-turn. There’s no cause for a car to be creeping

along around here,especially not a luxury SUV like this one.

A trickle of dread rolls down my spine.

I keep walking, but every instinct I have tells me to run.