CHAPTER 4: THE PRINCESS EMERGES

“If you think fifty million is acceptable for the Seattle waterfront project, you're clearly not paying attention.”

I leaned back in my leather chair, watching the three suits across from me squirm. The conference room overlooked the Crimson Moon territory's business district—glass towers and green spaces that I'd helped design and finance.

“Miss Valdris,” the lead developer stammered, “the market projections—”

“Are conservative bullshit.” I slid the revised contract across the polished table. “Seventy-five million, or find another investor. I don't do charity work.”

The man's face flushed red. “That's highway robbery.”

“No, that's business.” I smiled, my expression sharp enough to cut. “You want to build on prime real estate in my territory, you pay prime prices. Simple economics.”

His colleague leaned forward. “Perhaps we could discuss a compromise—”

“There is no compromise. Seventy-five million, take it or leave it.” I stood, smoothing down my tailored black suit. “You have until five PM to decide.”

They exchanged panicked glances. The Seattle project would make them billions, and we all knew it.

“We'll need to call our board,” the lead developer said weakly.

“You do that.” I checked my watch—a Patek Philippe that cost more than most people's cars. “Security will escort you out.”

Two of Kieran's men appeared at the door as if they had heard my words. The developers gathered their papers with shaking hands and filed out.

“Brutal as always, Princess.”

I turned to find Kieran lounging in the doorway, his gray eyes amused.

“They were trying to lowball me. I don't have time for games.”

“Clearly.”He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “How's the arm feeling?”

I flexed my left shoulder, testing the muscles. This morning's training session with our pack's warrior elite had left me sore in the best way.

“Good. Better than good, actually.” I grinned at him. “I think I'm finally getting the hang of not holding back.”

“Finally? Kaia, you put three of my best fighters in the medical wing last week.”

“They'll heal.” I shrugged. “Besides, they asked for it. Literally. They kept saying I was going easy on them.”

“And the tree you accidentally snapped in half”

“Emphasis on accidentally.” I moved to the window, looking out over the territory that had become my home. “My control is getting better.”

“Your control is terrifying. In a good way.” Kieran joined me at the window. “Speaking of terrifying, we need to talk.”

The seriousness in his tone made me tense. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong. It's just…” He ran a hand through his dark hair. “We've been invited to a gathering. Important pack business.”

“Where?”

His pause.

“Moonhaven Pack.” The words left his mouth carefully, like the name could strike a nerve.

Five years ago, the name would have sent me into a panic attack. Now, I just felt a cold calculation settling in my chest.

“When?”

“Next weekend. It's some kind of alliance summit. Major packs from across the continent.” He studied my face. “I can send Beta Marcus to represent us. You don't have to—”

“I'll go.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Kaia, you don't have to prove anything. Not to me, not to them.”

“I'm not trying to prove anything.” I turned from the window to face him fully. “I'm Princess Kaia Valdris of the Crimson Moon Pack. They invited my pack, they get me.”

“Are you sure? Because once we walk in there, there's no hiding who you are. They'll know exactly what you've become.”

“Good.” The word came out sharp as a blade. “Let them see what their cruelty created.”

Kieran's smile was proud and fierce. “That's my sister.”

“Besides,” I added, adjusting my suit jacket, “I'm curious to see how they've been managing without my stellar dishwashing skills.”

He barked out a laugh. “You're terrifying.”

“I learned from the best.” I gathered my files from the conference table. “What's the dress code for this alliance summit?”

“Formal. Evening wear for the main dinner.”

“Perfect. I'll need to go shopping.”

“Kaia.” His voice stopped me at the door. “You know I'll be right there with you, right? Every second.”

My chest rose with affection. Five years of brotherhood, of protection, of unconditional love. He'd given me everything I'd never known I needed.

“I know. But Kieran? I don't need protecting anymore.”

“Maybe not. But you're getting it anyway.”

I laughed and headed for the door. “I need to hit the gym before my next meeting. Care to join me for some therapeutic violence?”

“Can't. I have conference calls with the European packs.” He grinned. “Try not to break any more equipment.”

“No promises.”

The gym was empty when I arrived, which was perfect. I changed into workout gear and approached the heavy bags—the reinforced ones that could actually withstand supernatural strength.

The first punch sent vibrations up my arm and through the steel chain. The bag swayed but held.

‘Weak.’

The voice in my head wasn't mine. It was hers—my wolf, who'd finally emerged two years ago after intensive training and healing. She was magnificent and terrifying, with silver fur and eyes like molten gold.

‘Show them what we are,’ she urged.

I pulled back and threw a harder punch. The bag exploded, sand and filling erupting across the gym floor.

“Damn it.” I stared at the destruction. “That's the third one this month.”

My phone buzzed. A text from my assistant: ‘Seattle developers called. They'll take the seventy-five million. Contract signed and delivered.’

I smiled. Sometimes being terrifying has its benefits.

The gym door opened, and James, our head trainer, poked his head in.

“Let me guess,” he said, eyeing the destroyed bag. “Thinking about old times?”

“Something like that.” I grabbed a towel and wiped my hands. “Order another bag. The reinforced kind.”

“Already did. They're installing a tungsten-steel core in the next shipment.”

“Tungsten-steel?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Princess, you punched through titanium last week. We're running out of materials.”

Fair point.

“I'll be more careful.”

“No, you won't.” He grinned. “But it's fun watching you try.”

That evening, I stood in my walk-in closet, surveying my options. Five years of wealth and confidence had transformed my wardrobe from secondhand scraps to designer perfection.

I pulled out a black evening gown—Valentino, with intricate beadwork that caught the light like stars. It was gorgeous, powerful, and cost more than the Blackwoods probably made in a year.

Perfect.

My reflection in the full-length mirror still surprised me sometimes. Gone was the scrawny, broken girl with dull hair and frightened eyes. In her place stood a woman with curves in all the right places, glossy dark hair that fell in waves past my shoulders, and golden eyes that held secrets.

The girl they'd tormented was dead. In her place stood a queen.

“Knock, knock.’ Kieran's voice came from the doorway.

“Come in.” I held up the dress. “What do you think?”

“I think you're going to give three certain wolves heart attacks.”

“That's the idea.”

He moved closer, his expression serious. “Kaia, what are you hoping to accomplish? Really?”

I set the dress aside and met his eyes in the mirror. “Closure. I need to see them again, but this time as an equal. As someone they can't hurt.”

“And if they try?”

“Then they'll learn why you don't mess with the Crimson Moon Pack.” I smile with all teeth. “Besides, I'm curious to see if they're still the same pathetic bullies, or if they've grown up.”

“My money's on pathetic bullies.”

“Mine too.” I laughed. “But either way, it'll be educational.”

Kieran wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"I'm proud of you," he said quietly. “For who you've become, for what you've built. They threw you away like garbage, and you turned yourself into a fucking diamond.”

My throat tightened. “I had help.”

“You had a family. The way it should have been from the beginning.”

I leaned back against his solid warmth, grateful beyond words for the brother who'd saved me, who'd shown me what love actually looked like.

“Whatever happens at this gathering,” I said, “I want you to know—you gave me everything. A home, a family, a future. They tried to destroy me, but you helped me rebuild into something stronger.”

“No, Kaia. You did that yourself. I just provided the foundation.”

I turned in his arms and hugged him tight. My big brother. My protector. My family.

“Moonhaven Pack has no idea what's coming for them,” I murmured against his shoulder.

“No,” he agreed, his voice full of dark satisfaction. “They really don't.”