Chapter 1

At the pack's corporate meeting, the new finance intern flashed a financial report onto the projector screen.

"Alpha, I'm reporting Aurora for embezzlement! She used her position to wire massive amounts of company funds into her private account. I demand she be banished immediately!"

That girl, Lily, tipped her chin up and slammed a stack of files onto the conference table.

Alpha Jasper and the elders locked their eyes on me. Their glares felt like claws.

I almost laughed out loud.

Jasper’s company had been on the verge of bankruptcy. To save it, I secretly dumped millions of my own dollars to fill the hole.

The "embezzled funds" she was barking about? That was my own money.

And now? I need this pack of ungrateful mutts to approve me moving my own money?

...

Dead silence filled the room.

On the screen, bright red arrows pointed to an anonymous offshore account. Lily’s masterpiece.

She leaned on the table, looking like a fanatic ready to cleanse the pack of scum.

"Alpha, the Red Peak Pack has ironclad rules. Theft and betrayal are unforgivable. As COO, Aurora stole millions for herself. Think of how many pack members that money could feed!"

Lily sounded so damn righteous.

She clicked to the next slide—a massive sheet.

"I tracked it. Over the last few months, she transferred five million dollars under fake project names. Jasper, my Alpha, our pack is growing. Every penny matters. If we don't weed out this parasite, how can you lead us?"

All eyes turned to the head of the table. To Jasper.

My Alpha. The leader of the Red Peak Pack.And the man I had secretly been with for five years.

Years ago, he broke off to start his own pack. He had nothing.

I tapped into the hidden wealth of my mother’s bloodline—the ancient, aristocratic Arkin family—to build Thorne Industries for him.

To protect his pride, I dropped my prestigious last name.

I played the role of a lone wolf with zero background.

I was his secret lover for five years and his right hand in the company for two.

But right now, Jasper’s handsome face showed zero intention of defending me.

His jaw clenched. His long fingers tapped the table. He was weighing his options.

"Aurora." He finally spoke. His voice was a cold Alpha command. "Do you admit to Lily’s claims?"

I stared at him.

My heart just stopped.

He was interrogating me?

Two years ago, he held me close, panting in my ear: "Aurora, I’m sorry you have to hide. Once I’m on top, the whole world will know you are my mate. My Luna."

A year ago, when the company almost went under, I sold my private collections to save him. He told me: "Aurora, you are the true foundation of this pack."

And now, he was asking if I plead guilty?

I scanned the room.

Kane, the Marketing Director, was staring at his teacup. Just last week, he used my approved budget to buy his mistress a new car.

Jenny, the HR Manager, looked at me with pure disgust. This was the same woman who begged me for cash advances every month for her "sick mother."

I finally got it. Next to power, my money and love meant absolutely nothing.

"What do you think?" I asked. My voice was dead calm.

Jasper looked away.

"The evidence is clear. Aurora, you are a founding member. You are my... partner. But rules are rules. The pack comes first."

He paused and gave his verdict.

"Effective immediately, you are suspended as COO. I am taking back all your financial access."

He stood up, walked over, and held out his hand.

He wanted the black-gold corporate card.

A nasty smirk crept onto Lily’s face. "A wise choice, Alpha! I also demand she face the Elders for a trial!"

Jasper hesitated. He looked at me and shook his head. "No trial. A pack-wide announcement is enough."

A pack-wide announcement. Suspended. Stripped of power.

I looked at his handsome, unfamiliar face.

That card was backed by my family trust. But I didn't say a word.

I saw the blind ambition in Lily’s eyes. I saw the wounded Alpha pride in Jasper’s eyes.

He wanted to prove he didn't need me to be king. He wanted to prove he controlled everything. Including me.

Two years of my silence gave him the delusion that he owned me.

"Fine."

I stood up, pulled the heavy black card from my purse, and dropped it into his palm.

The cold metal hit his skin.

"Here is the access. Make your announcement." I smiled at him. It felt toxic. "My Alpha, I hope the company... runs smoothly."

Jasper froze. He didn't expect me to surrender so easily. A flash of guilt crossed his eyes. "Aurora, I'm glad you understand. It’s... for the pack."

Lily snatched the card from his hand. She gripped it like a queen's scepter.

"See, Aurora? Why make it so ugly when you could just hand it over?"

I looked at her with pity.

The idiot had no clue. That card was tied to the credit of the Arkin Family Trust.

She didn't steal power. She stole a ticking time bomb that would blow Thorne Industries to dust.