Chapter 4

"What are you talking about?" Ryan demanded, but there was fear in his voice now—fear and the dawning realization that he had made a catastrophic mistake.

I stood my ground as the pack gathered closer, drawn by the unfolding drama. The firelight cast harsh shadows across Ryan's face, highlighting the arrogance I'd somehow missed for five years.

"I'm talking about my birthright," I said, my voice steady despite the rage building inside me. "That crown was the last piece I had of my mother."

Ryan's expression hardened, his momentary uncertainty replaced by the cold calculation I'd seen whenever he dealt…