Chapter 3

How do I know you won't tell them anyway?"

"You don't." Derek's brutal honesty cut through the room. "You'll have to trust me."

"Trust you? I don't even know you!"

"Then get to know me." Something shifted in Derek's expression, a challenge, maybe, or an invitation. "One year, Lily. It's not forever. And who knows? Maybe you'll realize I'm not the monster you think I am."

Lily wanted to scream. She wanted to grab Luna and run away, back to their old life where things were small and safe. But she couldn't. Mom was happy here. Mom loved Kane. And if Lily destroyed that...

"What kind of tasks?" she asked, hating how defeated she sounded.

"Nothing that will hurt you." Derek's voice gentled slightly. "I need help managing pack social events. Research for my alpha training. Dealing with pack members who are..." He paused. "Difficult."

"You want me to be your servant."

"I want you to be my partner." The correction came swift and firm. "There's a difference."

Lily laughed bitterly. "Partners don't blackmail each other."

"No," Derek agreed. "But stepbrothers who share dangerous secrets do."

He had her, and he knew it. Lily could see it in the set of his shoulders, the calm certainty in his eyes. He'd thought this through, planned it out. He'd been waiting for this moment.

"Fine." The word tasted like ash in her mouth. "One year. But I have conditions."

Derek's eyebrow rose. "You're not in a position to negotiate."

"Yes, I am." Lily lifted her chin, forcing steel into her spine. "You need me to do this willingly, or it won't work. Our parents can't suspect anything. That means I get conditions."

A slow smile curved Derek's mouth—the first real expression she'd seen from him. It transformed his face, made him look younger, almost approachable.

"I'm listening."

"First, you don't touch Luna. Ever. She stays with me, and you keep your distance."

"Agreed."

"Second, nothing illegal. Nothing that puts me or my mom in danger."

"Agreed."

"Third..." Lily swallowed hard. "If I complete this year, the debt is paid. Forever. You never use this against me again."

Derek considered this. Outside, she heard voices, their parents laughing downstairs, unpacking boxes, building their new life together.

"Forever is a long time," Derek said slowly.

"That's the deal. Take it or leave it."

Their eyes locked. Lily refused to look away first, even though her heart hammered against her ribs. She'd learned long ago that showing weakness to predators was the fastest way to get hurt.

And Derek was definitely a predator. Future alpha. Top of the pack hierarchy. Someone who could crush her with a single word to his father.

But she wouldn't make it easy for him.

"Deal," Derek said finally. He held out his hand. "One year. You help me, I protect your secrets. After that, we're even."

Lily stared at his outstretched hand. The same hand that had been covered in blood three years ago. The same hand that had just trapped her in an impossible situation.

She took it.

His palm was warm and rough with calluses. His grip was firm but not crushing. The moment their skin touched, something strange flickered through Lily's chest, a spark, like static electricity, that made her gasp.

Derek felt it too. His eyes widened fractionally, and his fingers tightened around hers for just a second before he let go.

"What was that?" Lily breathed.

"I don't know." Derek stepped back quickly, shoving his hands into his pockets. For the first time, he looked unsettled. "Must be... pack magic. Recognition of the bond."

"What bond?"

"The life-debt." But he wouldn't meet her eyes. "It's sealed now. You'll feel a pull toward me when I need you. It's normal."

It didn't feel normal. It felt like someone had tied an invisible string between them, connecting her to him in a way that made her skin prickle.

"When do we start?" Lily asked, trying to ignore the sensation.

"Tomorrow. First day of school." Derek moved toward the door. "We're in the same grade, so we'll share some classes. I'll find you at lunch."

"Everyone will see us together. They'll ask questions."

"Let them." Derek's hand closed around the doorknob. "We're stepsiblings now. It's natural for me to show you around, introduce you to people. No one will think twice about it."

He opened the door, then paused.

"Lily." He didn't turn around. "I meant what I said. I don't want to hurt you. This doesn't have to be a bad year."

"You're blackmailing me."

"I'm protecting my pack." Derek's shoulders tensed. "Sometimes those things look the same."

Then he was gone, closing the door softly behind him.

Lily stood frozen in the middle of her new room. Luna whined and nuzzled her hand, seeking comfort.

"What did I just agree to?" Lily whispered.

Luna had no answer. Outside the window, the sun was setting behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. In the forest, she heard wolves howling, pack members running together, free and wild.

She'd never felt more trapped in her life.

A knock made her jump.

"Lily?" Mom's voice, bright and happy. "Dinner's ready! Kane made his famous pasta!"

Lily forced her voice to sound normal. "Coming!"

She checked her reflection in the mirror above the dresser. Her face was pale, her green eyes too wide. She looked scared.

She pinched her cheeks to bring color back, smoothed her hair, and practiced a smile. It looked fake, but it would have to do.

"Come on, Luna," she murmured. "Time to pretend everything's fine."

Luna pressed against her leg as they headed downstairs. The smell of garlic and tomato sauce filled the cabin. In the kitchen, Kane stood at the stove while Mom set the table. They moved around each other easily, comfortable and in love.

Derek sat at the table already, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when Lily entered, and for a moment, their eyes met.

Then he smiled, that same fake smile from before, and gestured to the chair across from him.

"Saved you a seat, sis."

The word felt like mockery. But Lily sat down, Luna settling at her feet under the table.

"This looks amazing, Kane," Mom said, bringing over a big bowl of pasta. "Lily, honey, you're going to love his cooking."

"I'm sure I will," Lily managed.

Dinner was torture. Kane asked about her old school, her interests, her favorite subjects. Mom told embarrassing stories from Lily's childhood. Derek sat silent mostly, but every time Lily looked up, she caught him watching her with those unreadable gray eyes.

"So, Derek," Mom said brightly, "why don't you tell Lily about the school? I'm sure she's nervous about starting somewhere new."

"Of course." Derek set down his fork and turned to Lily. "Silver Creek High is small, only about two hundred students total. Most of them are from the pack, but there are some humans too. The staff knows about us, so you don't have to hide your wolf nature completely, but be careful around the human students."

"Derek's one of the most popular kids there," Kane said proudly. "Captain of the lacrosse team, honor roll student, and next in line to be alpha. Everyone respects him."

Great, Lily thought. So he's not just blackmailing me, he's also Mr. Perfect.

"I can show you around tomorrow," Derek continued. "Introduce you to people. Make sure you feel welcome."

"That's so sweet of you," Mom gushed. "See, Lily? I told you Derek would be a wonderful brother."

Lily's stomach churned. She pushed pasta around her plate, unable to eat.

Under the table, something brushed against her foot.

She jerked, but it was just Derek's shoe. He pressed his foot against hers deliberately, getting her attention. When she looked up, he mouthed two words: Play along.