Chapter 1

When the flash went off, I wasn't looking at the camera.

After the shoot, Jamie, the photographer's assistant, came over with the bill. We'd booked the entire studio for a private couture shoot, and the total came to over $300,000.

Carlos was bent over, helping Vivian out of her heels. Austin was telling the bodyguards to clear the room, and Leon was showing Vivian the shots on the camera.

No one paid Jamie any attention.

I'd been the one footing bills like this for the past ten years.

I stepped up and handed Jamie my black card.

"Put one-fifth on my card. Split the rest among those three gentlemen."

Jamie froze, but took one look at my cold expression and did as I asked.

Beep. Payment approved.

I took off the janitor's uniform, threw it in the trash, and walked out.

"Wendy! What's that supposed to mean?"

Austin stormed after me as soon as Jamie pressed him for payment. He grabbed my wrist, scowling.

"It's just a photo. Do you really have to make such a scene? And what's with splitting the bill? Since when did you become so petty?"

I shot my own flesh-and-blood brother a cold look.

"The pack's first rule: Equal exchange.

"I didn't wear couture. I didn't get the center spot. Why should I foot the entire bill?"

Carlos came out with his arm around Vivian, his voice dripping with condescension.

"Wendy, Vivian just took over her own department. She needs to keep up appearances.

"Isn't your money just your dividends from Silverfang Group anyway? We're all family. Keeping score like this just drives us apart."

A laugh slipped out of me.

Right. Family.

Six months earlier, Vivian had been brought into the family as an illegitimate daughter with a weak werewolf bloodline.

Ever since, I'd been her personal blood bank.

My private office became her lounge.

She took credit for the deals I'd closed.

Even Carlos, my mate of seven years, became her personal bloodline guide.

I pulled my hand free, took out my phone, and opened my notes.

The note read, "Mate bond dissolves in three days."

Right then, Vivian went pale, clutched her chest, and collapsed into Carlos's arms.

"It hurts..."

Carlos was instantly alarmed.

"Her weak bloodline is acting up again!"

Leon turned and stared right at me.

"Wendy, hurry! We need your blood! Your pure blood can stop her genes from breaking down!"

All three turned to me, their expressions demanding obedience.

In the past two weeks alone, they'd already made me give blood three times, all to shore up Vivian's position.

"Fine."

I looked at them calmly, took an agreement out of my bag, and held it out to Carlos.

"Two hundred milliliters of pure blood.

"In exchange, I want a controlling interest in the group's southern port property, or $90 million in cash.

"Sign it, wire the money, and I'll have the blood drawn."

Carlos stared at me in disbelief.

"Wendy, are you insane? That's your sister in there! Are you really putting a price on her life?"

"She's just an illegitimate child. Since when does that make her my sister?"

My voice stayed perfectly flat.

"For every dollar you take from me, I'll take back ten. My blood is expensive. Pay up or get lost."

"You're unbelievably heartless!"

Austin roared at me, but seeing Vivian in so much pain, he had no choice but to give in.

He gritted his teeth, snatched the tablet, and signed.

"You want $90 million? You'll get it! You'd better pray you live long enough to spend it!"

Five minutes later, a notification confirmed that the money had hit my account.

I went in and had 200 milliliters drawn.

"We're square."

As they all fussed over Vivian, I walked out the door without looking back.