Chapter 1

When I attended the pack gathering with my boyfriend of five years, Joe Smith. I told him I wanted a family of our own.

But even after all these years, he still thought I’d always coveted the Silver Claw Pack’s fortune. He said marrying him would only be a way for me to get a share of the Smith family’s legendary vineyard business. His response was the same as always: “Let’s wait a little longer.”

That night, when I tried to talk to him again, he lost his temper. He shoved me toward the hot stove in his rush to go after the jealous Emma. The flames scorched my left arm, but he didn't even care. He was already out the door, chasing after her. Emma Smith — the Luna Joe’s mother had chosen for him, the pack’s adopted daughter, so technically his sister.

I staggered to my feet, my eyes welled up as I clutched his sleeve; begging him not go. My skin blistered, my face turned ashen. But Joe’s eyes held only Emma. He acted as if he was certain I wouldn’t get angry; believing that I couldn’t leave him. His mother stood by, watching coldly, saying nothing.

I spent a month in the hospital. A skin graft later, I could finally be discharged. This time, I didn’t throw a tantrum or beg for him. I called my father — Alpha of the distant Blood Moon Pack.

“Father,” I said, voice steady, “I accept the Alpha position as your successor.”

No one here knew that Blood Moon was my home pack. Namely, I was the one true heir to the largest and most powerful pack in the northern lands.

After finishing the discharge procedures, I took an Uber straight to Joe’s vineyard.

Standing before the vineyard gates, I suddenly realized how foreign this place was — five years of unpaid work, five years of loyalty, five years of love all meant nothing. In Joe’s eyes, I had always been a cunning schemer.

It had only been one month since I left, yet my fingerprint was stripped of access to the gate. The Omega guard stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

I pulled out my phone and called Joe. No answer.

Inside me, my wolf, Lily, snarled, “Ungrateful bastard.”

And then—Emma called me instead.

“Carol,” Emma’s voice poured through the phone, sweet and polished. “I didn’t expect you to be discharged so soon. Joe’s been worried about my safety, so the vineyard isn’t open to outsiders anymore. Don’t worry, I’ll tell the guards to let you in.”

Moments later, the iron gates that had refused me just minutes ago swung open at her command. She really did sound like she belonged here — like a Luna giving orders in her own territory.

I took a deep breath, steadied my heartbeat, and walked inside.

The path to the office was lined with the scent of oak barrels and crushed grapes — familiar, yet hollow now. When I reached Joe’s office, the door wasn’t even closed. I hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

And froze.

Emma was sitting on Joe’s lap. He was bare-chested, his hand resting on her thigh. The air was thick with something more than words — something that had nothing to do with “brother and sister.”

When she saw me, Emma smiled faintly, like she’d been expecting me. Joe, startled, tried to nudge her off him, but Emma just pouted and stayed where she was.

He sighed, giving up.

I said nothing. Just gave a glance and placed my resignation letter on his desk.

Seeing my cold face, Joe’s brows furrowed. “Carol, listen. Emma’s only been back in Silver Claw Pack for a short time. She needs this cooperation to prove herself and she knows the family business better than you. Besides—” he exhaled, “Emma is my sister. My parents also want us to spend more time together.”

I laughed — a sound sharp enough to cut the silence. In the entire Smith family, only Joe would say that Emma was his sister. That sentence had become Joe’s favorite shield — a perfect cover for every secret meeting, every embrace, every whisper in the dark.

Emma, however, didn’t bother hiding anymore. She interrupted him, flashing a diamond ring on her finger that caught the afternoon light. “It’s not just about that, Carol. You probably don’t know yet—Joe is going to marry me.”

She lifted her hand higher, letting the gem sparkle in my face. Joe wore the matching ring on his finger.

Joe didn’t explain. He just looked at me, calm as usual. He knew I’d already made up an excuse for him in my head—and that I’d come back to him again.

I met his gaze and nodded. “Alright.”

I simply pointed at the document on his desk.

“All the cooperation materials with the White family are here.” I said evenly. “ I’ve already handed over the remaining work to others.”