Penny’s POV
Watching Derrick spoon-feed Hermione felt like a lemon squeezed into my eyes. Sitting down with them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner was also an eyesore as they were always so lovey-dovey all day long.
“So when do you intend to leave?” Hermione asked me, seeing that I seemed lost staring at the two of them.
“I have business around here. Father said I could stay as long as I like unless, of course, your husband has a problem with that.” I said and looked at Derrick.
He did not even spare me a glance. There was no way I would seduce a man who wouldn’t even look at me and pretend like I was not even there.
“Well, this is not my parent’s house. They don’t make the rules over here. I don’t want…”
“Hey, baby. Take it easy. She’s welcome to stay for as long as she wants. This is a big palace, I have a room for every pack member here, so I do have room for my wife’s cousin.” Derrick said and kissed Hermione.
She looked at him like she wanted to magically change his mind. I scoffed and cleared my throat to speak.
“Thank you very much, Derrick. Please let me know any way I can repay your kindness, Alpha.” I said calmly, smiling at Hermione.
“Oh please, coming from a family with such an astonishing woman like Hermione is more than enough compensation for whatever I could possibly do for you,” Derrick replied, and I did not like that. He never failed to throw how much he loved his wife on the faces of everyone around.
“Thank you, Alpha. I will be retiring to my room now. Thank you for Dinner, Hermione.” I said, my tongue tasting more bitter than bile in my mouth.
“Anytime. We feed those we can.” She said, mocking me.
As I stomped off to my room, I was so livid that I missed some steps and almost fell. I quickly held onto the railings and steadied myself.
“Are you okay, miss?” One of the guards stationed around there asked.
“Oh, thank you. I am fine.” I replied and comported myself.
The overwhelming emotion of hate I felt every time I saw Hermione happy could not be explained, maybe it was watching her kissing my crush when we were five years old or her being the favorite whenever we gathered for family functions.
Her family had also been richer, making it harder for her to lack anything. She didn’t exactly make herself likable to anyone, people sucked up to them because of her father’s generosity.
Sadly, my parents did not share in that privilege. My father had defied his father and gone ahead to marry my mother despite rejection from everyone.
The patriarch had cut him off and my mother had nothing to her name, so they had to work really hard to put food on the table. I hated to see how they came home exhausted every day while whenever I went to Hermione’s house, everything would be at their beck and call.
Hermione’s father, my uncle, had asked me to move in with them during one of the summers I went there, but I heard Hermione crying to her parents at night and asking them not to take me in.
Her father had sent me a huge amount of money, one that helped my father start a business that came into the limelight just a few years ago.
Still, we weren’t as rich as Hermione’s family, we weren’t also happier. My father out of frustration had started doing a bit of drugs, while my mom became a whore who slept with young models across the packs.
It was always shameful to identify with them, and I made sure to give them enough distance so they don’t throw dirt on my sparkling reputation.
I married early and married into lots of wealth. It was my only motivation for marrying my first husband who divorced me barely eight months into the marriage for being so frivolous with money.
The second one I had left because I genuinely cared about him, but it was a contract marriage that ended two years after it began. It had been the most painful to move from.
Coming here and seeing how much Derrick cared about Hermione, I was jealous and wanted what she had so badly. If he could love her like this, considering his wealth and status, no one would be able to challenge me.
I heard a knock on my door and was surprised to see Hermione standing there when I opened it.
“Sister, what brings you to my ro…”
“Save me all that sisterhood bullshit. I don’t know what you think you are trying to do but don’t even fucking think about it. It took me so long to get here, and I won’t let you come in here to ruin it for me. If I smell you as much as you near him, I will rip you apart, piece by piece, and have your dismembered parts burnt later.” She threatened, her breath fanning my face hotly.
“Chill sis. I’m just here for some business. You don’t have to worry unless you think your husband might find me attractive in some way.” I smirked calmly with a mischievous smile playing on my lips.
“You are certainly not his type. I don’t want you to disgrace your family, I’m sure you are used to that already but don’t drag mine into it. You can stay here if you want but sleep knowing that I do not want you here.” She said and stomped off.
I stood there with my mouth half open as I was too stunned to speak. Even though I knew Hermione was Vile with words, I did not imagine that she would ever go for such a low blow during our squabbles. She must think that I can’t do anything since she is married to an Alpha now.
Well, we will see how much she still thinks of herself when I take her position and have her banished from the pack.