Chapter 1

Three days ago, I got a mind-link from Felix.

The moment I sensed who was on the other end, my brow furrowed, and then my temples started throbbing.

A bad feeling crept up inside me.

Three years ago, Felix gave up his position as Alpha heir, determined to strike out on his own and prove himself.

Our father Owen was so furious he threatened to disown him.

Felix merely shrugged and walked out after declaring, "It's my life, and I'll live it my way."

Three years. Not a single mind-link message. Not a word of news about him.

If he didn't hit me up for money like clockwork every month, there'd be no proof he was even alive.

By my count, it wasn't time for his monthly request yet, so a mind-link now could only mean trouble.

Sure enough, a fawning, weaselly voice came through the link.

"Sis..."

"No money!"

I nipped that idea in the bud before he could even finish.

"Is that all your little brother is to you? That shallow? Can't I just check in on my dear sister without asking for money?"

The throbbing in my temples got worse.

As the pack's female Alpha, I'd been working overtime for a solid week on the Alpha Summit.

Not that Felix would know. After that fight with Dad three years ago, he'd washed his hands of all pack business.

He definitely didn't know Dad had already named me as his successor.

Not that I had any interest in taking it from him.

I was dying for him to hurry home and claim the Alpha title so I could buy a lakefront house in Moonlight Forest and retire early to a life of leisure.

I rubbed my temples. "Five minutes. Talk."

He suddenly went quiet for two seconds.

Everyone knows the rule: when your little brother goes quiet, he's plotting something.

That silence sent a chill down my spine.

"Sis, I saw your name on the guest list for the Alpha Summit."

"Yeah, and?"

"I hear the Alpha hosting the summit is a real soft touch. I finally scored an invite, so if I play up a sob story at the event, maybe he'll take pity on me and bring me on board.

"Once I've got his backing, I'm going to make something of myself. Let's see Dad look down on me then."

I frowned. "So you want to use me as your sob story?"

"I'll clear your name afterward, I promise. Please, Sis, just help me this one time."

As the host of the summit, I'd spent a whole month planning it. I never expected the guest list to leak early.

But that didn't matter anymore. This was the perfect chance to knock some sense into my hopeless brother and get him to come home and take the Alpha title like a good boy.

"Fine," I said at last.

The summit was the first time I'd seen Felix in three years.

He wore a crisp, immaculate suit, every hair in place. Even his speech and manner had an air of maturity.

I couldn't help but wonder.

Was this guy really my brother?

Apparently three years of hard knocks had done him some good. At least he could pass for a respectable adult now.

Just as I was marveling at that, Felix's eyes narrowed slightly and he walked toward me, all smiles. Why did that smile give me the creeps?

"Sis, it's been a long time."

I gave him a polite nod. "It has."

The summit had drawn plenty of reporters. They trained their cameras on Felix, shutters snapping away.

Felix cleared his throat and gave the cameras a pitiful, wounded smile.

"There's something I've been wanting to say to you for years."

I swirled the wine in my glass.

"Go ahead."