Chapter One

Ricardo 

The Tennessee whiskey is smooth on my tongue as I take the first sip after a hectic day. The stock market was crazy today, and I'm glad the day is finally over. I look forward to going to the bar with my Beta, get a little tipsy and maybe find someone to warm my bed for the night. 

There's a soft knock on my door and I frown. My assistant knows I don't like to be bothered after five, especially after the day I just had. 

"Come in!" I holler and she sticks her head inside, a grimace on her face. 

"I'm sorry to bother you sir, but there's a gentleman out front that would like to speak to you." Michelle's voice is soft and apologetic. 

"Tell him to come back tomorrow during office hours." I say harshly. 

She flinches and clears her throat. "I have tried to do that, sir, but he says it's an emergency." 

I groan. What emergency could there be? I have my borders locked down solid, my pack is stronger than ever before, what could possibly be wrong? 

"Who is it?" 

I'm not a good man, and I don't take shit from anybody, a fact my assistant knows well. It's a miracle she has lasted so long but I admire her for that. Not that I would ever tell her that fact, I'm not a man that gives out compliments easily. 

"I told him he should make an appointment to see you, but he's not budging sir." She looks over her shoulder and then back to me. "I think he's an alpha." 

An alpha from another pack on my doorstep without me knowing? How did he get across my border without anyone alerting me? This fact certainly pisses me off and gets my attention simultaneously. I take my feet off the desk and get up, straightening my tie and putting my jacket on again. One thing my father always told me is that appearances matter, the more formidable you look, the more someone else will take you seriously. 

I mindlink my Beta, Harry, immediately. Perhaps he knows something that I don't, but highly unlikely. 

"Join me in my office, we have a guest." 

"Be right there." 

And this is why I like Harry so much, he doesn't ask unnecessary questions, when I call, he amswers. 

"You can let him in." I inform Michelle and go to stand in front of my desk, picking up my whiskey again, the liquid begging me to take another sip. 

"Ricardo, it's been a while." 

My head snaps up and I look into the eyes of Sebastian, alpha of the Starlight pack and a man I actually respect. There are few of those. 

"Sebastian, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I stalk forward and shake his hand, his grip firm in mine. 

I notice Harry entering and closing the door behind him. "This is my Beta, Harry" 

Sebastian smiles, but the corners of his eyes look tense. He grips the other man's hand as well. "I believe we have met the last time I was here." 

"That we have." Harry nods "Would you like anything to drink? A bourboun perhaps?" 

Sebastian holds up his hand. "No thank you, this is not a call for pleasure, I'm heading back to my pack tonight." 

It is quite odd that he would be here without his Beta. There is only a handful of times an Alpha doesn't have his Beta close by. 

"I'm sorry to learn about your father, he was a good man." I put the glass down and shove my hands into my pockets, leaning on my desk. "Did you get the flower arrangement we sent?" 

A flower arrangement is a stupid thing to send when someone has died, but I was too occupied with business meetings to attend the burial. I also found it strange that the man died of a heart attack. He wasn't that old and he was a great warrior, in tip top shape. 

"We did, thank you."Sebastian sighs deeply and I recognise that look in his eyes. It's a look of a son who lost not only his father, but a mentor as well. "And that is why I'm here. I've come to cash in that favor." 

I narrow my eyes at the man in front of me. I knew the day would come when someone from the Starlight pack would pitch up and ask something. Granted, I did say they could ask me for anything if they needed it. I didn't think that day would be here so soon. 

Three years ago the Starlight pack helped mine overcome a war against a pack of rogue wolves who wanted to take over my territory. This right after I lost my own father in an attack by these rogues. They were sly and they fought dirty, but they were strong and I needed the extra help. Sebastian's father sent over their fiercest warriors to help us, Sebastian one of those wolves. I will be forever indebted to them. 

Since then I have ruled over my pack with an iron fist. We train relentlessly, we study hard and we live healthily, if I sniff out an unloyal member, that wolve is either banned or worse. I kill them. Stay loyal and your loyalty will be rewarded. We are one of the wealthiest packs in the world, I work hard to keep it like that. 

"Mmmmm," I murmur, steeling myself. "And with what would you like to cash it in? Are you having money trouble." 

Sebastian chuckles darkly. "I wish it was simple. I need protection." 

Protection I can give. Like I said, we train warriors now, I would be confident to send some of my men and women. 

"How many soldiers would you like?" 

Sebastian shakes his dark-blonde head. "I don't need soldiers. I need protection for my sister, she is not safe with my pack anymore." 

Colour me confused. "Your sister got mated, did she not? I heard she had a pup." 

"Not that sister, my baby sister."