Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Ana’s POV

All of us were just standing here waiting for you to wake up. Not even Alpha Thalira is this arrogant. If you don’t want to be fore, just get your ass back to Red Stone Pack already!” Mrs. Cole snapped.

ignored her and turned to Torvi. “When did we land?”

About 13 minutes ago,” she said.

And why didn’t you wake me up right away?”

Torvi shot an angry glance at Mrs. Cole. “Because she wouldn’t let us.”

I stood up, staring coldly at Mrs. Cole. “So we’ve only been landed for 15 minutes, and you’re already on my plane yelling at me, scolding me like I’m your slave. Did Alpha Thalira tell you to do that?”

Her face tightened. “No, but…”

“And why did you stop my guard from waking me? Did you want me to oversleep on purpose so you could tattle to Alpha Thalira? To me, it looks like you’re trying to turn her against me before we even meet. Maybe I should have a word with her about this–about how her housekeeper is trying to manipulate her.”

Her face instantly changed. “I did not! I wouldn’t dare manipulate our Alpha-”

“Then why are we still standing here? She did ask you to pick me up, didn’t she? Now get the hell out of my way.”

She gritted her teeth. The look in her eyes shifted from scorn to a mix of anger and fear.

Finally, she said nothing more and stepped aside with a slight bow.

“The car is waiting for you outside, Lady Aria,” she said.

I didn’t look at her again, walking straight past her off the plane. All the guards and attendants followed quietly behind.

Once we were in the car, I asked Torvi, “Did I come across as too rude just now?”

Torvi said immediately, “Of course not. If you had acted weak in front of someone like Mrs. Cole, she would have only become more aggressive. You handled that well.”

“So what’s her deal anyway? She doesn’t look like a servant at all.”

Even Grayson’s housekeeper Ms. Jones wouldn’t shout at his guests like that. This Mrs. Cole must be something special.

Torvi nodded. “You’re very observant. Remember I told you Alpha Thalira has four daughters? Mrs. Cole is the sister of the husband of her second daughter. So she often throws her weight around the packhouse, acting like she owns the place because she’s related to the Alpha.”

So, nepotism. It seems even a great Alpha like Thalira can’t avoid this problem.

“Tell me more about the Alpha’s family, Torvi,” I demanded. If I want to survive here, I must get to know my haters.

“Right. So Alpha Thalira’s firstborn, Lady Morrigan, is 45 years old. As the eldest daughter, she handles some of the pack’s financial and diplomatic affairs.”

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“Why hasn’t Alpha Thalira officially named her as the heir?” I asked.

“I think there are two main reasons. First, many elders in the pack question her competence. Under her management, Frostpine Pack’s businesses lose money every year. People only tolerate it because she’s the Alpha’s eldest daughter. And second, she has two sons. And both of them are… well, not nice people. Alpha Thalira isn’t very fond of her family.”

Torvi is very careful and rarely speaks ill of others. If she says someone isn’t “nice,” they must be complete jerks.

“Then what about the second daughter?” I continued.

“The second daughter, Lady Tamsin, is 40 and has one daughter. Both mother and daughter are fierce warriors, well–known in the pack. Alpha Thalira once considered making Lady Tamsin her heir, but then a scandal broke out about how Lady Tamsin tortured and killed her servants. Her violent nature led to protests among the commoners against her becoming Alpha. So the matter was dropped.”

I nodded, and Torvi went on, “Well, the third daughter… I don’t need to say much. You know her well–your mother, Lady Quentina.”

1 felt a little awkward.

I’m still not used to people calling her my mother, but I pretended it was nothing. “I know she was once Alpha Thalira’s favorite.”

Torvi sighed. “Why wouldn’t Alpha Thalira like her? Lady Quentina is beautiful, kind, intelligent, and has a powerful wolf. At one point, everyone was sure she would become the next Alpha of Frostpine Pack… until she had you out of wedlock and broke with Alpha Thalira.”

I wonder why Lady Quentina didn’t just marry my biological father and then have me. That way, at least Alpha Thalira wouldn’t have blamed her too much. I’m sure there’s more to the story.

I wanted to ask about my father, but I wasn’t sure if Torvi knew or would tell me. So I set it aside for now and asked, “What about the youngest?”

“Lady Sable is only 20, just starting college. So no one really sees her as a future Alpha.”

I silently repeated the names, making sure I remembered each family member.

Well, “family.”

But I’m sure they’re the ones who want me dead the most.

I must be extra careful. ́

20 minutes later, our motorcade arrived at the packhouse gates.

It was an imposing complex of white buildings, each structure built from massive white stone, enclosed by high iron railings and gates, with countless soldiers patrolling outside.

I remember passing by here often as a child on my way to my part time.

I used to stare at the buildings beyond the fence, fantasizing about what life was like for the Alpha and her princesses. My heart was filled with longing and envy. I couldn’t even imagine how the rich lived back then. I just thought how great it would be to not go starved.

I never thought I’d become part of this luxurious house one day.

The imposing iron gates swung open, and our convoy drove through, stopping at the main entrance of the packhouse. A

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line of maids was waiting there.

But there was no sign of any of the Ladies. Let alone Alpha Thalira.

Mrs. Cole came over to open my car door. As I stepped out, everyone bowed.

“Lady Aria, welcome home.” They said in unison.

Torvi must stop here,” Mrs. Cole said coolly. “Only the royal family is allowed inside this packhouse.”

I frowned, looking at Torvi for confirmation. She nodded, her expression worried. She leaned close and whispered, “That really is the rule. But I’m worried they might try to hurt you when I’m not there…”

I squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful, I can always contact you if needed.”

“Let’s go inside now,” Cole urged impatiently beside us.

I had to let go of Torvi and walk toward the open doors of the packhouse under her anxious gaze.

Then I was greeted by the most grand, enormous foyer I’d ever seen. The high dome ceiling was almost invisible, wide marble stairs curved upward, and the walls on both sides were covered with oil paintings and portraits. I assumed they were probably Frostpine Pack’s past Alphas.

Before I could get a closer look, Cole urged me again: “Hurry up. People are waiting.“,

The place was eerily quiet. As we walked down the long corridor, aside from our footsteps, there was almost no sound. The maids and guards passing by moved silently, as if holding their breath all the time. You barely noticed they were there.

Cole led me to a pair of oak doors that seemed to lead to a banquet hall. I was about to walk forward, but she stopped me.

“Wait. You need to change clothes first.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I frowned.

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