Chapter 5

Faye's POV

This evening, my brother Rylan called to say he'd arrived.

The restaurant Rylan chose was a private club near the summit venue. He was waiting by the door, and I stopped two steps short because my brother looked like a stranger.

Three years ago, Rylan had been loud and lanky, always grinning. The man in front of me was cut from granite — broad shoulders, a jaw that could crack stone.

"Little sister," he said.

"Giant brother," I said.

Then his arms closed around me and the three years collapsed into nothing.

"Dad told me everything," he said, expression dark. "All of it."

"Later," I said. "For now — feed me."

We talked through the meal. Rylan had grown into the Alpha Dad always wanted him to be — sharp, patient, feared. He was launching a new development project across the North at the summit.

"I want you to run it," he said, refilling my glass. "All of it. You decide which packs we partner with, which contracts we sign. Final word is yours."

I nearly choked. "Rylan. I've spent three years stirring soup and balancing Aiden's books."

He set his glass down. "You took a mid-tier pack with zero connections and dragged it to the top of the northern circle with your bare hands. You ran circles around Alphas twice your age, all from behind a man who took credit for everything." He leaned forward. "If you could make that work, you can run anything. That's not a favor. That's math."

A warmth spread through my chest. Aiden had spent three years making me doubt myself—but my brother just reminded me I'd always been exceptional.

I gave him a nod. "I won't let you down."

"I know you won't." He grinned — and for a second he was my brother again. "So. Tomorrow. Big night. Ready?"

"Ready."

Just then, a thought struck me. "Rylan, you said the summit is for top Alphas from the South—does that mean…"

I hesitated. "Dorian Nighthowl will be there too?"

Rylan raised an eyebrow. "Interested?"

"No." The word came out too fast. "I mean—I did run out on him back then. I just need to make sure I won't run into him."

Rylan chuckled. "Relax. Dorian's a busy man. He rarely shows up to these things in person. He'll send his Beta instead." He swirled the wine in his glass. "I'd bet my new project that he won't show up."

A wave of relief washed over me. "Thank god."

Dorian's POV

I looked at the photograph on my desk and did not blink.

A plain blouse, hair pulled back, standing half-behind a man in a suit like staff. The caption read: Faye — Blackfang Pack, Luna.

I set the photo down. Something didn't sit right with me. She'd been hiding here for three years—of all places, married to some mid-tier Alpha who thought he was a big shot.

I remembered her from a university debate. She had no idea who I was back then.

She was sharp-eyed, with a voice that cut right through the room, arguing for pack reform until the older Alphas got uncomfortable.

Later, I said yes to the marriage her father arranged, but she ran away.

It still stung. I'd never been refused before. I had made a career of being the one who walked away.

Then last night, at that bar — I'd recognized her the second she walked in, worn down like a woman polished smooth by neglect, drowning whiskey, fighting back tears. She hadn't seen me at all.

I'd hidden my scent. I'd wanted to watch her realize exactly what she'd thrown away while she chose someone else.

I had not expected her to kiss me. I had not expected the way her body fit against mine. And I definitely had not expected to wake up alone with cash on the pillow.

She left me money. Like I was a service.

This woman was different from the others. Infuriating, yes. But… interesting.

My Beta, Cole, cleared his throat. "Alpha, about your schedule for tomorrow—I've confirmed everything. I'll attend the partnership meeting on your behalf, as usual."

I paused for a moment. "Cancel my other arrangements. I'll go myself."

Cole blinked, then nodded. He had always been a reliable, no-nonsense Beta. "Understood, Alpha."

After he left, I picked up the photo again, looked at the woman in it, and murmured, "See you tomorrow, Faye."