Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 169

Aria’s POV

The Alpha of Frostpine Pack was a woman in her sixties.

Her hair was snow–white, pulled tightly back. Her features were sharp and severe, as if carved by a knife. You rarely saw a woman with such a strong bone structure.

Compared to her eldest daughter Morrigan’s over–the–top entourage, Alpha Thalira was very plain. She just wore a tracksuit and combat boots, like any old lady you might bump into on the street.

Next to her second daughter Tamsin’s large build, she seemed less bulky, more tall and lean.

And compared to her third daughter Quentina, she had none of that softness. Her vibe was more masculine.

None of the three daughters looked much like her. And I hadn’t met the youngest Sable yet.

We stared at each other for a long moment. Then Alpha Thalira’s mouth twisted into a strange smile.

“What’s wrong? Don’t recognize your grandmother?” she asked.

I’d imagined this meeting many times in my head. I told myself I had to be humble, likable, and respectful. I’d even prepared a few compliments.

But the moment we met, I forgot all my preparations.

All I could think of was how she’d carved up Lady Quentina’s face after I was born. And how she sent that Omega costume to humiliate me.

“I already had a grandmother. And it’s not you,” I said.

A few sharp intakes of breath came from the crowd behind me. My so–called family seemed shocked I’d dare speak to her

like that.

Alpha Thalira’s expression went blank for a few seconds as well.

Then, in the suffocating silence, she suddenly burst out laughing.

“Well, the woman you thought was your grandmother was actually your mother’s old maid. They were very close,” she said with snort. “But I appreciate you holding her in such high regard. I’ve never had that kind of bond with any of my own grandchildren.”

Her gaze swept over my other family members, and her eyes turned cold.

Orion tried flattering her: “We love and respect you deeply too, Grandmother.”

His attempt only earned a sharp rebuke from her: “You stupid piece of shit, just stop trying. It only makes you look pathetic. Now, what was all the noise about earlier?”

Maeve clenched her fists, shooting me an angry look. “This little bitch dared to disobey your order. We were teaching her a lesson for you.”

“For me? Who do you think you are? The Alpha of Frostpine Pack? I’m not dead yet, and you’re already stepping on my head?” Alpha Thalira snapped.

1/4

Maeve looked stunned. Tamsin quickly tried to smooth things over. “Mother, Maeve didn’t mean it like that…”

“I don’t need you to tell me what she meant. I have my own fucking judgment.”

She turned her sharp gaze back to me. After looking me over, she asked, “You saw the clothes I sent. Why hadn’t you put them on yet?”

They’re for Omegas. And I’m not an Omega,” I said coldly.

She snorted. “You’re close enough. Convicted and sentenced in front of the whole world? No member of Frostpine Pack has ever been humiliated like that, let alone a royal. You reached a new low, Aria Collins.”

“Yes, I’m not that powerful. I don’t have connections or some amazing wolf. But at least I fought back. And that makes me braver than every single sucker in this room,” I said. I was past caring what anyone thought.

Yet my snarky comment won another round of laughter from Alpha Thalira.

“Aren’t you afraid I might expel you if you refuse to wear the costume?” she asked, still chuckling.

I shrugged. “I’ll take my chances.”

She studied me a moment longer, then turned to the rest of the family. “All of you, inside. If anyone raises their voice again, I’ll make you all put on some Omega uniforms. That’ll make an interesting enough Christmas postcard.”

Her children didn’t dare argue. They all filed into the banquet hall with their heads down.

The banquet hall was also enormous, lavishly decorated. Alpha Thalira took her seat on the main throne, and the others found their own seats. I didn’t know which seat was mine, so I just stood in front of Alpha Thalira.

She rested her chin on her hand, eyeing me. “Let’s cut the crap. I know you don’t like me much. But if you want to see your mother, you’ll need to do something to please me.”

Luckily, I was prepared. “I have a gift for you.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled something out. At that moment, all eyes in the banquet hall were fixed on me.

In my hand, cold and heavy, was a gun.

It was more ornate than most, decorated with colorful gemstones that glittered sharply under the lights. Because of the gems, it cost a terrifying two hundred thousand dollars. Torvi had me use Lady Quentina’s black card, but I still nearly fainted when paying. It was probably the most expensive thing I’d ever bought.

But no matter how ornate, it didn’t change the fact that it was still a lethal weapon.

A dead silence fell over the banquet hall.

Everyone stared at me, eyes wide.

Then Morrigan started shrieking, covering her mouth, “Careful, Mother! This little bitch is trying to kill you!”

Orion rushed in front of Alpha Thalira, spreading his arms dramatically. “Stay behind me, Grandmother! I’ll take a bullet for you!”

“Get out of my view, dumbass,” Alpha Thalira said, not even hiding her disgust for this grandson.

Tamsin also shot to her feet, glaring at me. “God you must really hate Alpha Thalira for locking up your mother! Is that why

2/4

you’re presenting this… absurd gift?”

I looked at their over–the–top reactions, amused. “For a pack known for being brave and fierce, you all seem pretty dramatic about seeing a gun.”

“But who gives a gun as a gift?!” Orion yelled, furious. “Gifts for women are usually clothes, handbags, makeup, or jewelry. A weapon? You’re just being provocative!”

I looked at him scornfully. “Your understanding of women is so goddamn shallow. In your opinion, are all women only fit for clothes and jewelry?”

“But women like those things! They aren’t interested in anything else-”

“Shut up!”

Alpha Thalira grabbed a teacup and hurled it at Orion, her voice booming. “You idiot learned nothing from my birthday last year. That’s it. You are forbidden from ever giving me another gift!”

The teacup hit Orion’s forehead, drawing a line of blood. He looked fearfully at Alpha Thalira, stammering, “G- Grandmother, but you can’t actually like such a ridiculous gift, can you?”

“The gift isn’t perfect. But at least it’s different from the crap you fools keep giving me before,” she said with disgust, then turned back to me. “A gun is a gun. Why decorate it with gems? It’s neither here nor there.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify