Chapter 87: When Did You Plan All This?

Valerie gasped softly, while Bradford immediately hesitated, shifting uncomfortably in his worn shoes. The sheer scale of Edgar’s favor was terrifying to a man who had spent his entire life being treated as worthless.

"A-Alpha Morningstar... this is far too grand," Bradford stammered nervously, but I assured him.

"Father, I believe this is the standard treatment," I blurted out even though I knew not a damn thing about standard treatement. All I knew was that Grey Moon was far below trash.

He looked between Edgar and me.

"Since when do Alphas of other packs specially invite low-caste Omegas to newly prepared residence?" Right, that’s probably not standard. "It... it doesn’t feel right for people like us."

I stepped up beside my father, wrapping a reassuring arm around his shoulders, and flashed him a confident, sharp smile.

"Since just now, Father," I said softly, my eyes glinting with quiet pride. "Your daughter is just that capable. After everything you and Mother have suffered in this territory, this is how wolves ought to be treated. Don’t fight it—just accept it."

Bradford looked at me, the tension in his shoulders slowly melting away into a soft, emotional sigh. "Brianna..."

"Go on," I added, gently guiding my parents toward the first vehicle, where one of Edgar’s men respectfully opened the passenger door for them. "I’ll be right behind you with Edgar."

They looked at me for a long moment before finally giving in and entering the car.

The moment the black sedan turned the corner, carrying my parents safely out of sight, the warm smile vanished from my face like smoke in the wind.

I spun around on my heel, crossing my arms over my chest and fixing Edgar with a sharp, piercing stare.

"Edgar Morningstar," I said, my voice dropping its playful edge, "when exactly did you plan all of this?"

"Just yesterday," he answered right away, his golden eyes meeting mine with cool, unbothered honesty.

He didn’t even blink. He leaned casually against the passenger door of his own car, adjusting the silver cufflinks at his wrists as if he had been expecting this interrogation the exact second my family was gone.

"Yesterday?" I echoed, my brows drawing together in disbelief. "You had a full legal pack transfer document drafted, stamped with your official crest, and ready to drop on Ludwig’s desk yesterday?"

"The moment I decided to see your family, I already began to prepare," Edgar said smoothly, a faint, dark smirk curling the corner of his lips.

A sudden chill ran down my spine, goosebumps breaking out across my arms. "Jeez, don’t make it sound weird," I gritted out, glaring up at him.

His smirk widened, a glint of amusement dancing in his golden eyes. "Weird? How?"

"Like you went to ask for my hand in marriage or something," I muttered, shaking my head and cutting him off before he could even open his mouth to respond.

I turned away, missing the deep, knowing look that flickered through his gaze.

"Anyway, it seems you’ve been planning this for a while," I said, turning back to look him dead in the eye. "This doesn’t seem like something you just decided yesterday."

Edgar gave a smug grin. "I don’t do things by half-measures. I looked into your family situation. I figured that the moment you started making progress, the Alpha of your pack would start causing trouble. And I knew the moment you fought back—which was a certainty given your personality—Ludwig would try to use your family as leverage the second he realized you weren’t a pushover. Leaving your leash in his hands was a variable I had zero intention of allowing."

I stared at him. He was terrifyingly thorough, calculating every variable three steps ahead—I guess this was why he was qualified to be a leading Alpha at such a young age. Nothing slipped past him, and every move he made had effectively torn my family out of the mud and placed them somewhere untouchable.

"You really think of everything, don’t you?" I murmured.

"Only when it comes to high-value assets," Edgar replied softly, leaning over until his broad frame completely engulfed me in his shadow. "Now, what do you have to say to me?"

I darted my eyes away for a second, fighting the sudden urge to take a step back. "Since when does an investor need gratitude from an investee? I thought results were what mattered."

He leaned in even closer, hunching his back until his lips were right by my ear, his breath warm against my skin. "Come on, say it. I want to hear it."

This guy... he’s being so weird for no reason.

Still, I couldn’t deny the truth. He had done something truly remarkable today, and the safety and future of my family were firmly in his hands now. I needed to keep him on my good side.

"T-Thank you," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Edgar grinned, stepping back just enough to point a black gloved finger directly at his cheek. "Not just words."

A sudden wave of heat flushed across my face for no reason. "What more do you want?"

"Right here," he insisted, tapping his cheek again. "Put your lips right here."

My heart suddenly went ba-dum!

Is he serious?!

He was looking at me, waiting. Hell, he was serious.

Trying not to overthink it, I leaned up quickly and pressed my lips against his warm cheek. It was just a brief kiss—nothing more—yet as I pulled back, my heart was racing stupidly against my ribs. Great. Am I coming down with some rare heart disease by chance? This isn’t the first time...

Edgar, on the other hand, looked entirely too pleased with himself, a dark, dangerous gleam in his golden eyes as he adjusted his coat.

"You’re so obedient it’s tempting," he grumbled under his breath.

"What does that mean?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he simply smirked, stepping around to hold the heavy luxury car door open for me.

"Shall we, Brianna? Your brothers are probably losing their minds at the new house right now."