Chapter 1

On the last day of the pack's Mate Ceremony, Connor Wolfe slipped Lunar Breath into my wine and locked me up.

By the time I used all my strength, forced the door, and ran out, the bell at the Moonlight Altar had tolled, and the ceremony was over.

Outside the hall, Connor was leaning against a sports car, smoking with a few of the Betas and senior company executives.

One of them asked, "Alpha, is it really okay to do this to avoid bonding with Vera?"

Connor flicked ash off his cigarette and shrugged. "What's wrong with that? Anna's waiting at the private hospital. I promised her I'd ditch Vera, that tagalong."

"But Vera nearly lost her right hand protecting you from a silver bullet last year, and she stood by you through your lycanthropy."

Connor chuckled, "That was an act. I wanted her to miss the bonding deadline. She'll learn better than to dream about being my future Luna."

I stayed hidden behind a pillar with tears burning my eyes and bit my lip until it bled.

Connor still had no idea that, two weeks ago, the High Elder Council had approved my special request.

My mate wouldn't be him. It would be the mad wolf from Northland, the most brutal first-generation Alpha.

I stood behind the stone pillar, the night breeze chilling my skirt, which was damp with cold sweat.

Not far away, Connor stubbed out his cigarette on the hood of his sports car and said, "Anna's too delicate for any kind of hardship. Vera's tough. She'll survive a few days in confinement.

"Tomorrow, I'll swing by the hospital to pick up Anna and announce her as the new CEO."

The Betas traded uneasy looks. "Alpha, Vera still holds the development rights to the Silvermoon Mine in Farronica. She's been grinding away at that mine for three months."

Connor scoffed, loosening his tie. "I gave her everything she has.

"As long as I don't mate-bond with her, she'll be kicked out of the clan's core tomorrow. What else can she do but hand over the Silvermoon Mine?"

I stepped out of the shadows, the sharp click of my heels making the Betas turn around.

They instinctively stepped back, startled.

Connor turned, his gaze landing on my skirt, which was smeared with basement rust.

He slipped one hand into his pocket and tilted his chin. "How did you get out? Even the seal couldn't hold you?" he asked.

I stared at his face, which was so familiar and suddenly so distant. "Connor, are you throwing away the Wolfe clan's rules for Anna?" I asked.

He stepped closer, towering over me. "I make the rules. Don't threaten me with rules, Vera. The mate ceremony's over. You can't enter anymore."

I straightened my back, refusing to back down. "Silvermoon Mine was developed by me from scratch. You have no right to hand it over to Anna."

Connor suddenly laughed so hard that he nearly doubled over, pointing at me. "No right? I'm the Alpha. Everything here belongs to me. You're only a tagalong, living off whatever I give you."

One of the Betas tried to cut in. "Alpha, Vera did work hard—"

Connor kicked the tire of the sports car and shouted, "Shut up! Who told you you could talk?"

He turned, shooting me a venomous glare. "Vera, go back to your apartment. Now.

"Tomorrow morning, you'd better sign the transfer papers for Silvermoon Mine. If you don't, I'll make sure you're finished in the business world."

I curled my lips into a cold, taunting smile. "And what if I refuse?"

Connor suddenly stepped forward, his presence suffocating. "Refuse? Go ahead and see what happens. I'll strip you of everything. You'll be nothing but a rogue wolf."

I shot back, unflinching. "You really think you get to decide everything here?"

Connor snorted, full of contempt. "In the Wolfe clan, I am the law. You'd better face reality. Anna is my fated mate. Clingy women like you only disgust me."

He turned and got into his car, slamming the door hard.

The engine roared to life. The sports car sped off, passing my fluttering skirt, and mud splattered onto my bare legs.

The Betas stood there awkwardly. "Vera, maybe you should get softer and apologize. Alpha's really pissed right now."

I ignored them and walked toward my car.

As I opened the car door, I called my assistant. "Encrypt all the core data for Silvermoon Mine. Disconnect it completely from the Wolfe Group's internal systems."

My assistant paused. "Alpha could sue you for violating the non-compete agreement."

I started the car and turned the steering wheel all the way. "Just do it. If anything happens, I'll deal with the fallout."

As I drove onto the main road, a news alert popped up on the car's screen: [A mysterious powerhouse from Northland will be arriving in town tomorrow.]

I slammed the accelerator, and the car roared down the street fast.