Alpha Duncan

The truth is, I never let things get romantic or emotional with Emma. I sat her down one afternoon in my office, door closed, and we talked like two CEOs closing a merger. No flowers, no sweet words-just cold, hard facts.

"Look, Emma," I said, leaning back in my chair. "I'm not looking for fireworks or soulmate nonsense. I need a strong Luna. Someone who can run a pack beside me, handle the business side, merge our territories, and make everything more powerful. You're smart, you're connected, you've got royal blood, and you understand the game. We'd be unstoppable together. Partners in every way-pack, business, life. That's the deal. No illusions."

She studied me for a long minute, then smiled that calm, confident smile of hers. "You're not asking if I love you, are you?"

"I'm asking if you're in," I answered flatly.

"I've been in love with you for years, Duncan," she said quietly. "You know that. If this is how you want it-practical, powerful, no messy feelings getting in the way-then yes. I'm in."

I didn't ask if she'd already met her true mate. I didn't want to know. Part of me figured she had, rejected him, and chosen ambition over fate. Weird? Sure. But convenient. I wasn't in a position to judge.

That was that. We shook on it like a contract. No kiss, no celebration. Just a plan.

Now came the hard part: the announcement party.

I threw the biggest event the pack had seen in years. The palace ballroom glittered-crystal chandeliers, live orchestra, tables loaded with imported champagne and rare steaks. Every Alpha from the surrounding territories showed up, along with government ministers, CEOs, investors, old friends. The room buzzed with power deals being whispered in corners.

And of course, I invited the one person who mattered most.

Mindy.

I couldn't bring myself to tell her ahead of time. Every time I opened my mouth to say the words-"I'm mating with Emma"-my throat locked up. I pictured her face crumpling, tears filling those hazel eyes that looked so much like mine. Worse, I was terrified she'd look right at me and say the words I'd been running from for years: *I love you too, Duncan. More than a brother. I feel the bond.*

What would I do if she said it out loud? Fall to my knees? Claim her right there? Or run harder than ever?

I wasn't ready to find out. So I kept silent and hoped she'd stay upstairs like she usually did during these things.

The night arrived. Guests poured in. Emma looked flawless in a deep emerald gown that screamed old money and royalty. She stayed close, hand lightly on my arm, playing the perfect future Luna.

But Mindy was nowhere.

I scanned the crowd every few minutes, heart pounding harder each time I didn't see her. Ten minutes passed. Twenty. Thirty. I started to relax-maybe she'd decided to skip it. Maybe she'd heard rumors and was hiding in her room crying. Part of me hated that thought. Another part was relieved.

Then the double doors at the far end opened.

She walked in.

And she wasn't alone.

Mindy stepped into the ballroom on the arm of a tall, broad-shouldered guy in a custom tux that probably cost more than most people's cars. Dark hair, sharp jaw, easy smile-the kind of face that screamed Alpha blood. He held her like she belonged to him. She wore a sleek black dress that hugged every curve, hair swept up to show off her neck, lips painted red. She looked like sin wrapped in elegance.

My wolf snarled so loud inside me I almost shifted right there.

I forced a smile, excused myself from a conversation with two ministers, and crossed the room. Emma followed, sensing the shift in my mood.

Mindy spotted me. Our eyes locked. For one second I saw something raw flash across her face-pain, anger, defiance-then she lifted her chin and smiled like nothing was wrong.

I couldn't wait another second.

I grabbed the microphone from the band's stand, tapped it twice. The music faded. Hundreds of eyes turned to me.

"Good evening, everyone," I said, voice steady even though my hands were shaking. I slid my arm around Emma's waist, pulling her close. "I've got an announcement. Emma and I are engaged. We'll be mating soon. Officially. Tonight marks the beginning of our future together-as mates, as partners, as leaders."

The room erupted in applause, cheers, glasses clinking. Alphas slapped me on the back. Someone yelled, "To the happy couple!"

I forced another smile.

Then I looked straight at Mindy.

She stood frozen, jaw slack, eyes wide with shock. Her date-Derek, I'd later learn-tightened his grip on her arm like he was claiming territory.

I waved her over, casual, like we were just siblings catching up.

"Come say hi, Mindy," I called. "Congratulate us."

She blinked, then slowly disentangled herself from Derek's arm. She walked toward us, heels clicking on the marble like gunshots.

When she reached us, she stared at Emma's hand. The five-carat diamond caught every light in the room.

"You bought her a ring?" Mindy asked, voice dangerously quiet at first. Then louder. "You actually bought her a diamond engagement ring and didn't even mention it to me? Not once?"

Emma laughed lightly, holding out her hand. "It's beautiful, isn't it? Duncan has excellent taste."

Mindy's eyes snapped to mine. "You should've told me. Asked me. Something. Anything."

I leaned in, voice low so only she could hear. "This isn't about you."

Her laugh was bitter. "Right. Of course it isn't."

Then she raised her voice so half the room could hear.

"I reject this mating bond!" she shouted. "I reject it right here, right now!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. A few Alphas frowned. Emma stiffened beside me.

I grabbed Mindy's wrist-hard-and yanked her closer. My voice dropped to a growl only she could hear.

"Don't you ever fucking yell in my face like that again," I hissed through clenched teeth. "Don't raise your voice. Don't make a scene. You're embarrassing yourself-and me."

She looked down at my grip on her arm, then back up at me. Instead of pulling away, she smirked-cold, challenging.

"Okay, big brother," she said sweetly, loud enough for people nearby to hear. "Congratulations on your engagement. I'm so happy for you."

She twisted free and turned to her date, who'd followed her over.

"Let me introduce you properly," she said, sliding both arms around Derek's neck. He grinned like he'd won the lottery. "This is Derek. My boyfriend. And-" She paused, tilted her head, eyes locked on mine. "Soon to be my fiancé."

The word hit me like a punch to the gut.

"What the fuck," I snarled, stepping forward. "Who the hell said that?"

Derek chuckled, completely unbothered. "She did. Just now."

Mindy smiled up at him, then back at me-pure defiance. "What's wrong, Duncan? You can announce your engagement in front of the whole pack, but I can't mention mine?"

I felt the shift coming-fangs lengthening, claws itching. My wolf was seconds from ripping through.

Emma touched my arm. "Duncan..."

Mindy leaned into Derek, voice soft but cutting. "Don't worry. I won't make a scene. I just wanted to congratulate you both. Same as you wanted from me."

She turned, pulling Derek with her, and walked away-head high, hips swaying, leaving me standing there in the middle of my own party, surrounded by applause that suddenly sounded like mockery.

I watched her disappear into the crowd.

And for the first time in years, I wasn't sure who was drowning faster-her, or me.

Alpha Duncan

Derek was standing way too close to Mindy, his hand resting low on her back, fingers brushing the curve of her waist as he owned her. My wolf snapped. Before I could think, I shoved him hard enough to make him stumble back a step.

"Back off," I growled low.

Emma grabbed my arm right away, her nails digging in just enough to get my attention. She stepped between us, voice calm but sharp, the way only a future Luna can sound when she's trying to save face in a room full of powerful people.

"Duncan, what is wrong with you?" she hissed under her breath. "Everyone's staring. Your sister, your family drama-handle it in private. This is our engagement party. Not a battlefield."

The whole ballroom had gone quiet for a second. Heads turned. Alphas raised eyebrows. Ministers whispered behind champagne flutes. I could feel the weight of every gaze like a physical thing pressing on my skin.

I clenched my fists so tight my knuckles cracked. Took a slow breath. Forced my shoulders down. Then I pointed one finger right at Mindy's nose, close enough that she had to lean back a little.

"Just for now," I said through gritted teeth. "Only because I'm not about to let you ruin my engagement party in front of the entire pack and half the country's business elite."

Mindy's eyes flashed. She raised one perfectly shaped brow, then the other, mocking me with that little sarcastic wave she does when she knows she's winning.

"Oh yes, listen to your wise, perfect fiancée," she said, voice dripping with fake sweetness. "So mature. So in control." She turned to Derek, looping her arm through his. "Sorry about the little family scene, babe. Come on-let's dance. I need to move before I say something I'll regret."

She shot me one last look-pure fire-then tugged Derek toward the center of the dance floor like she was daring me to follow.

I watched them go. He was tall, broad, dressed in a tux that screamed old money and custom tailoring. Expensive watch. Confident posture. He didn't look like a gold-digger chasing her last name or my connections. That made it worse. He looked like he actually deserved her. And that thought burned hotter than anything else tonight.

I forced myself to turn away. Grabbed Emma's hand.

"Let's dance," I muttered.

She didn't argue. We moved to the center of the floor. The pianist played something slow and elegant, soft piano notes floating over the crowd. Emma pressed close, her hand on my shoulder, whispering, "You need to breathe. People are still watching."

"I know," I said. But my eyes kept drifting to Mindy and Derek. He had his arms around her waist now. She was laughing at something he said. Laughing. The sound cut through the music like a blade.

Then she pulled away from him. Walked straight to the pianist. Whispered in his ear. He nodded, smiled, and handed her the microphone.

The music faded. Heads turned again.

"Excuse me, everyone," Mindy said into the mic, her voice sweet but edged with something dangerous. She gave a small, charming laugh. "I'd like to sing a song. For my boyfriend. Is that okay? Just one little song?"

A ripple of amused applause. People thought it was cute. Sweet. Romantic.

I knew better.

She was furious. I could see it in the tight set of her jaw, the way her fingers gripped the mic too hard, the glitter in her eyes that wasn't happiness-it was rage. I'd raised her. I knew every tell. She was holding it together by a thread because of me. Because I'd dropped the engagement bomb without warning her. Without giving her even a heads-up.

My heart started pounding harder.

She began to sing.

Her voice filled the room-clear, warm, heartbreaking. The same voice I'd heard singing lullabies when she was little, humming in the kitchen while she made coffee, whispering goodnight through my bedroom door when I worked too late.

The song was one I loved. One she used to sing to me all the time lately-softly, almost like a secret. She never knew why it hit me so hard. It wasn't just the melody. The lyrics were everything I felt for her but could never say.

She closed her eyes as she sang.

"Said I was in love with you, but I lied to you...

This is more than the love I feel within me...

I told you I adored you, but I was mistaken...

Because love will never ever feel this strong again..."

Every word landed like a confession. She wasn't looking at Derek. Not once. Her body faced the crowd, but when her eyes opened at the end, they locked straight on mine.

My chest caved in. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. All I wanted was to cross the room, pull her into my arms, hold her so tight she'd never doubt how much she meant to me.

But she didn't give me the chance.

Jealousy flipped a switch in her. She spun around, grabbed Derek by the collar, and kissed him-deep, desperate, right there in front of everyone. Her hands in his hair. His arms wrapped around her like he'd been waiting for this moment.

It felt like someone drove a knife straight through my ribs. My heart squeezed so hard I thought it might stop. Tears shimmered in her eyes even as she kissed him. I saw them spill over, slide down her cheeks.

I lost it.

I stormed across the floor. Shoved Derek back so hard he almost fell. Then I swung a fist, connecting with his jaw. Blood sprayed. His nose crunched. He staggered, hand flying to his face.

"Get the fuck out of my house!" I roared.

He wiped blood from his lip, eyes wide but not scared-more stunned. "Alpha Duncan... I really like her. I haven't done anything wrong. She's my girlfriend. She said yes when I asked if she'd consider mating with me someday. I'd propose right now if you'd let me-"

The more he talked, the redder everything got.

"Get. The fuck. Out," I snarled, stepping closer. "And don't ever come near my sister again. That's not a request."

He looked at Mindy. She was shaking, tears streaming. He swallowed hard, nodded once, then turned and walked out-fast-blood staining his white shirt.

Mindy whirled on me.

"How could you?!" she screamed. "He's my boyfriend! I was going to mate with him-whether you like it or not! You don't get to decide who I love!"

Something snapped.

My hand moved before my brain caught up. The slap cracked across her cheek-sharp, loud. The sound echoed.

She froze. Hand flying to her face. Eyes huge with shock and hurt.

"What... are you doing?" she whispered, voice breaking.

Tears poured down her cheeks now. Fast. Silent.

I stared at my own hand as it belonged to someone else. My stomach twisted. I'd never hit her. Never. Not once in all the years I'd raised her.

But the thought of her mated to him-to anyone-had ripped something loose inside me.

I couldn't speak. Couldn't apologize. Not yet.

Instead, I grabbed her wrist-gentler this time-and pulled her through the crowd. People parted like water. Emma called my name once, but I didn't stop. Didn't look back.

We climbed the stairs in silence. Mindy didn't fight. Didn't pull away. Just followed, head down, tears dripping onto the marble.

I kicked open her bedroom door. Slammed it shut behind us. Pushed her gently but firmly against the wall.

"You are never mating with him," I said, voice rough. "Never. I'll find someone worthy. Someone who-"

She cut me off.

Her hands fisted in my collar. She yanked me down and crashed her lips against mine.

Hard. Hungry. Desperate.

I froze for half a second-then the dam broke.

My hand slid to the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair, pulling her closer. I kissed her back like I'd been starving for years. Tongue sweeping in, tasting her, claiming her. She moaned into my mouth-soft, needy-and it undid me completely.

When oxygen finally forced us apart, I stumbled back, chest heaving.

"What the fuck have we done?" I rasped, dragging both hands through my hair. "Mindy... we can't-"

"I'm so fucking in love with you!" she shouted, tears still falling. "We're mates, Duncan! Don't lie to me anymore! Don't lie to yourself! I'm not letting that bitch take you away from me. Not ever again."

She stepped forward, hands shaking as she reached for me.

And in that moment, with her lips swollen from our kiss, eyes blazing with love and pain and fury...

I didn't push her away.

I didn't run.

I just stood there-heart hammering, wolf howling-and realized the wave had finally crashed.

There was no swimming back to shore now.

Alpha Duncan

I couldn't just stand there and let her keep going. Mindy threw her arms around my neck, pressing her body tight against mine. Her lips found my neck first-soft, warm kisses trailing up to my jaw, then my cheek, then the corner of my mouth. Each one sent sparks through me, making my knees weak. My wolf howled inside, begging me to give in, to wrap my arms around her and never let go.

She whispered against my skin, "I love you, Duncan. Not like a sister. Like your mate. Like your Luna. Please... just feel it."

Those words hit me harder than any punch ever could. They were everything I'd dreamed of hearing from the one person who owned my soul. But they came from my little sister. My baby sister. The girl I'd raised, protected, loved in the only way I was supposed to.

This was wrong. So fucking wrong.

If Mom and Dad were still alive, they'd be horrified. They'd scream at us, disown us, maybe even banish us from the pack. The shame would destroy everything they'd built for us.

I grabbed her wrists and pushed her back-gently at first, then harder when she tried to lean in again.

"Get off me, Mindy!" I yelled, voice cracking. "What the hell are you thinking? What are you doing?"

She stumbled back a step, eyes wide and glistening. I couldn't look at her. If I did, she'd see it-the love, the hunger, the guilt all tangled up in my eyes. I turned my head away, staring at the wall like it could save me.

"I'm your older brother," I said, quieter now, almost pleading. "This isn't... we can't..."

My heart was slamming against my ribs so loud I was sure she could hear it. My hands were shaking. A cold sweat broke out on my neck. What if she smelled my fear? My regret? The way my body still wanted her even as my mind screamed no?

"Are you drunk?" I snapped, trying to sound angry instead of terrified. "Did that idiot Derek give you something? Is that why you're acting like this?"

She shook her head fast, tears spilling over. Her voice came out small and broken. "No... I'm not drunk. I'm telling the truth. I love you as my mate. As my everything. Why can't you feel how much it hurts me to watch you with her? Why can't you see it in my eyes? The bond is real, Duncan. It's killing me to pretend it isn't."

She stepped closer again, grabbing my collar with both hands. She yanked me down until our faces were inches apart. Her eyes were red, swollen, shining with tears that wouldn't stop.

"Look at me," she begged. "Just look. Tell me you don't feel it too."

I tried to breathe steady. In. Out. Act like the Alpha I was supposed to be. Strong. In control.

"This is wrong, Mindy," I said, forcing the words out. "You're my little sister. My responsibility. My family. Do you even understand what you're saying? What could happen if anyone found out? The pack would turn on us. We'd lose everything."

She didn't back down. Her fingers tightened on my shirt. "I don't care about the pack right now. I care about us. About you. I've felt this pull since my first shift. Every time you're near me, it's like my heart finally remembers how to beat. Don't tell me you don't feel it too. I know you do."

I wanted to scream that she was right. That every night I lay awake fighting the urge to go to her room. That her scent drove me insane. That the mate bond had been screaming at me for years.

But I couldn't say it.

I couldn't ruin her.

I pulled her hands off my collar and stepped back. "I have to go. The guests. Emma. They're waiting. People will start talking if I'm gone too long."

She grabbed my jacket sleeve. "Duncan, please. Don't walk away. Listen to your heart. If you leave me like this... I'll die without you. There's no one else. There never will be."

Her voice cracked on the last word. It nearly broke me.

I yanked my arm free-harder than I meant to-and stormed to the door. My throat felt like it was closing up. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I blinked them back. I couldn't fall apart. Not now.

I flung the door open and stepped into the hallway. The sounds of the party drifted up-laughter, music, clinking glasses. Normal life. Fake life.

I sucked in a deep breath, forced a smile that felt like glass on my face, and headed downstairs.

Emma found me near the pool almost immediately. She looked worried, scanning my face like she could read every secret there.

"Where's Mindy?" she asked softly, touching my arm.

I snorted, trying to sound annoyed instead of wrecked. "Locked her in her room. Can you believe she actually wanted to mate with that jerk Derek? The guy's a walking red flag."

Emma tilted her head, studying me. Then she smiled gently and cupped my cheeks with both hands. "Baby... if she really loves him, maybe you should give them a chance. It's her life. She gets to choose who she dates. Who she mates."

"That's not her life!" I snapped, louder than I meant. "I'm her older brother. I'm the one who raised her. I'm the one who protects her. She doesn't get to just throw herself at some random guy because she's throwing a tantrum!"

Emma's smile faded a little. She shook her head slowly. "Duncan... don't you think you're being a little too overprotective? She's not a pup anymore. She's a grown woman. Beautiful. Smart. She has every right to choose her own path. And honestly... she's been acting kind of strange lately."

My stomach dropped. "What do you mean, 'strange'?"

Emma's fingers brushed my lips lightly, almost teasing. "She's way too jealous of me. The way she looks at you... talks to you... it's not like a sister. It's like she's your mate or something."

I choked on air. Coughed hard. "What the fuck are you talking about, Emma?"

She startled a little at my tone, stepping back half a step. "I'm just saying what I've noticed. The glares. The way she interrupts us. The way she gets so upset when you're close to me. It's... intense."

I forced a laugh that sounded strangled. "You're imagining things. She's just being a brat. Overdramatic. Like always."

Emma didn't look convinced. "Maybe. But you two are closer than most siblings. Sometimes it feels like... I don't know. Like there's more there."

I stared at her, heart racing again. "There's nothing more. She's my sister. End of story."

Emma sighed and squeezed my hand. "Okay. If you say so. But maybe talk to her when she calms down. Really talk. She's hurting, Duncan. And so are you-I can see it."

I pulled my hand away. "I'm fine."

But I wasn't.

Not even close.

Every word Emma said echoed what I'd been running from. Mindy wasn't the only one drowning in this bond.

I was too.

And the deeper I sank, the harder it got to pretend I could swim away.