Lily's hands curled into fists at her sides. "I don't owe you anything."

Derek leaned against her door, blocking the only exit. In the afternoon light streaming through the window, his gray eyes looked almost silver, wolf eyes, even in human form. "Pack law says different."

"Pack law?" Lily's voice rose. "You attacked Luna! You hurt her so badly she couldn't walk for weeks!"

Luna growled, positioning herself between them. Her hackles rose, and her lips pulled back to show sharp white teeth.

Derek's gaze dropped to the wolf, and something flickered across his face. Not fear, regret, maybe. Or something else Lily couldn't name.

"I know what you think happened that day," he said quietly. "But you're wrong."

"I saw you!" The words burst out of Lily before she could stop them. "I saw you standing over her with blood on your hands!"

"You saw half the story." Derek pushed off the door and took a step closer. Luna's growl deepened, but he ignored her. "Three years ago, in the north forest, you found your wolf wounded. You saw me nearby. You assumed I was the one who hurt her, so you attacked me with a branch and ran away. That's what you remember, right?"

Lily's throat tightened. That was exactly what she remembered, the worst day of her life, finding Luna bleeding in the leaves, seeing this boy standing there with his hands covered in blood.

"But here's what you didn't see," Derek continued. His voice stayed low, controlled, but intensity burned underneath it. "Two rogue wolves attacked Luna first. They were trying to kill her because companions are valuable, worth a fortune on the black market. I heard her crying and came running. I fought them off, got bitten and clawed in the process. When you showed up, I'd just finished driving them away. The blood on my hands was mine and theirs, not Luna's."

"Liar." But Lily's voice wavered.

Derek held up his left hand, showing her the scar that ran from his thumb to his wrist. "One of them bit me here. I needed twelve stitches. I still have the hospital records if you want proof."

Lily stared at the scar. It was deep, vicious, the kind of wound that would have bled heavily.

"You're making this up," she whispered.

"Am I?" Derek tilted his head. "Then explain why Luna's injuries were claw marks from multiple wolves, not from me alone. Explain why I never reported you for attacking me, even though you left me bleeding in the forest. Explain why I convinced my father not to hunt down the 'rogue omega with an illegal companion' when the pack doctors started asking questions about my wounds."

Each word hit like a physical blow. Lily's mind raced, trying to remember details from that awful day. Had there been other wolves? She'd been so focused on Luna, so terrified, that everything else had blurred together.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth then?" she demanded.

"You were gone before I could speak. By the time I tracked down where you lived, your mother had already moved you both into hiding." Derek's jaw tightened. "I've spent three years making sure no one connected you to that incident. Three years keeping your secret."

"Then why bring it up now? Why threaten me?"

"Because…" Derek stopped himself. He turned away, running a hand through his black hair in frustration. When he faced her again, something dangerous glinted in his eyes. "Because pack law is clear. I saved Luna's life. Whether you believe it or not, that's the truth. And that means you owe me a life-debt."

"That's not…"

"It is." His voice went hard. "My father is Alpha. If he finds out about this, he'll have no choice but to enforce pack law. The life-debt is real, Lily. You can pay it willingly, or I can make it official."

"Why do you even care?" Lily's voice cracked. "What could you possibly want from me?"

Derek crossed the room in two long strides. He stopped close enough that Lily could see gold flecks in his gray eyes, could smell pine and something wilder on his skin.

"One year," he said. "You serve as my assistant for one year. You do what I say, when I say it. In exchange, I keep your secrets, all of them. Your mother's failure to register you. Luna's existence. What really happened that day in the forest."

"Assistant?" Lily's mind reeled. "What does that even mean?"

"It means you help me with pack duties. School projects. Whatever I need." Derek's expression gave nothing away. "It's better than exile, which is what your mother faces if the council finds out she hid you."

The threat landed like a knife between Lily's ribs. Mom. Derek wasn't just threatening her—he was threatening the one person Lily loved most in the world.

"You're a bastard," she breathed.

"I'm a realist." Derek stepped back, giving her space again. "Our parents just got married. We're family now, whether we like it or not. This arrangement keeps everyone safe and happy. You do what I ask, and no one needs to know about the past."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then tomorrow I tell my father everything. He's a fair man, he'll investigate. He'll find out your mother never registered you with the pack council, which is a serious crime. He'll discover you have an illegal companion. Best case scenario, you both get exiled. Worst case..." Derek's eyes flickered to Luna. "Unregistered companions are usually confiscated for the pack's safety."

"No." The word tore out of Lily. "You wouldn't."

"I don't want to." For the first time, Derek's cold mask cracked slightly. "But I will if you force my hand. Pack law exists for a reason, Lily. I can't ignore it, even for you."

Even for you. The words hung in the air, strange and weighted with meaning Lily didn't understand.

Luna whined and pressed against Lily's leg. Lily's hand dropped to her companion's head, fingers tangling in soft fur. Without Luna, she was nothing. Without Mom, she had no one.

She was trapped.

"How do I know you'll keep your word?" she asked quietly. 

"How do I know you won't tell them anyway?"

"You don't." Derek's brutal honesty cut through the room. "You'll have to trust me."

"Trust you? I don't even know you!"

"Then get to know me." Something shifted in Derek's expression, a challenge, maybe, or an invitation. "One year, Lily. It's not forever. And who knows? Maybe you'll realize I'm not the monster you think I am."

Lily wanted to scream. She wanted to grab Luna and run away, back to their old life where things were small and safe. But she couldn't. Mom was happy here. Mom loved Kane. And if Lily destroyed that...

"What kind of tasks?" she asked, hating how defeated she sounded.

"Nothing that will hurt you." Derek's voice gentled slightly. "I need help managing pack social events. Research for my alpha training. Dealing with pack members who are..." He paused. "Difficult."

"You want me to be your servant."

"I want you to be my partner." The correction came swift and firm. "There's a difference."

Lily laughed bitterly. "Partners don't blackmail each other."

"No," Derek agreed. "But stepbrothers who share dangerous secrets do."

He had her, and he knew it. Lily could see it in the set of his shoulders, the calm certainty in his eyes. He'd thought this through, planned it out. He'd been waiting for this moment.

"Fine." The word tasted like ash in her mouth. "One year. But I have conditions."

Derek's eyebrow rose. "You're not in a position to negotiate."

"Yes, I am." Lily lifted her chin, forcing steel into her spine. "You need me to do this willingly, or it won't work. Our parents can't suspect anything. That means I get conditions."

A slow smile curved Derek's mouth—the first real expression she'd seen from him. It transformed his face, made him look younger, almost approachable.

"I'm listening."

"First, you don't touch Luna. Ever. She stays with me, and you keep your distance."

"Agreed."

"Second, nothing illegal. Nothing that puts me or my mom in danger."

"Agreed."

"Third..." Lily swallowed hard. "If I complete this year, the debt is paid. Forever. You never use this against me again."

Derek considered this. Outside, she heard voices, their parents laughing downstairs, unpacking boxes, building their new life together.

"Forever is a long time," Derek said slowly.

"That's the deal. Take it or leave it."

Their eyes locked. Lily refused to look away first, even though her heart hammered against her ribs. She'd learned long ago that showing weakness to predators was the fastest way to get hurt.

And Derek was definitely a predator. Future alpha. Top of the pack hierarchy. Someone who could crush her with a single word to his father.

But she wouldn't make it easy for him.

"Deal," Derek said finally. He held out his hand. "One year. You help me, I protect your secrets. After that, we're even."

Lily stared at his outstretched hand. The same hand that had been covered in blood three years ago. The same hand that had just trapped her in an impossible situation.

She took it.

His palm was warm and rough with calluses. His grip was firm but not crushing. The moment their skin touched, something strange flickered through Lily's chest, a spark, like static electricity, that made her gasp.

Derek felt it too. His eyes widened fractionally, and his fingers tightened around hers for just a second before he let go.

"What was that?" Lily breathed.

"I don't know." Derek stepped back quickly, shoving his hands into his pockets. For the first time, he looked unsettled. "Must be... pack magic. Recognition of the bond."

"What bond?"

"The life-debt." But he wouldn't meet her eyes. "It's sealed now. You'll feel a pull toward me when I need you. It's normal."

It didn't feel normal. It felt like someone had tied an invisible string between them, connecting her to him in a way that made her skin prickle.

"When do we start?" Lily asked, trying to ignore the sensation.

"Tomorrow. First day of school." Derek moved toward the door. "We're in the same grade, so we'll share some classes. I'll find you at lunch."

"Everyone will see us together. They'll ask questions."

"Let them." Derek's hand closed around the doorknob. "We're stepsiblings now. It's natural for me to show you around, introduce you to people. No one will think twice about it."

He opened the door, then paused.

"Lily." He didn't turn around. "I meant what I said. I don't want to hurt you. This doesn't have to be a bad year."

"You're blackmailing me."

"I'm protecting my pack." Derek's shoulders tensed. "Sometimes those things look the same."

Then he was gone, closing the door softly behind him.

Lily stood frozen in the middle of her new room. Luna whined and nuzzled her hand, seeking comfort.

"What did I just agree to?" Lily whispered.

Luna had no answer. Outside the window, the sun was setting behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. In the forest, she heard wolves howling, pack members running together, free and wild.

She'd never felt more trapped in her life.

A knock made her jump.

"Lily?" Mom's voice, bright and happy. "Dinner's ready! Kane made his famous pasta!"

Lily forced her voice to sound normal. "Coming!"

She checked her reflection in the mirror above the dresser. Her face was pale, her green eyes too wide. She looked scared.

She pinched her cheeks to bring color back, smoothed her hair, and practiced a smile. It looked fake, but it would have to do.

"Come on, Luna," she murmured. "Time to pretend everything's fine."

Luna pressed against her leg as they headed downstairs. The smell of garlic and tomato sauce filled the cabin. In the kitchen, Kane stood at the stove while Mom set the table. They moved around each other easily, comfortable and in love.

Derek sat at the table already, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when Lily entered, and for a moment, their eyes met.

Then he smiled, that same fake smile from before, and gestured to the chair across from him.

"Saved you a seat, sis."

The word felt like mockery. But Lily sat down, Luna settling at her feet under the table.

"This looks amazing, Kane," Mom said, bringing over a big bowl of pasta. "Lily, honey, you're going to love his cooking."

"I'm sure I will," Lily managed.

Dinner was torture. Kane asked about her old school, her interests, her favorite subjects. Mom told embarrassing stories from Lily's childhood. Derek sat silent mostly, but every time Lily looked up, she caught him watching her with those unreadable gray eyes.

"So, Derek," Mom said brightly, "why don't you tell Lily about the school? I'm sure she's nervous about starting somewhere new."

"Of course." Derek set down his fork and turned to Lily. "Silver Creek High is small, only about two hundred students total. Most of them are from the pack, but there are some humans too. The staff knows about us, so you don't have to hide your wolf nature completely, but be careful around the human students."

"Derek's one of the most popular kids there," Kane said proudly. "Captain of the lacrosse team, honor roll student, and next in line to be alpha. Everyone respects him."

Great, Lily thought. So he's not just blackmailing me, he's also Mr. Perfect.

"I can show you around tomorrow," Derek continued. "Introduce you to people. Make sure you feel welcome."

"That's so sweet of you," Mom gushed. "See, Lily? I told you Derek would be a wonderful brother."

Lily's stomach churned. She pushed pasta around her plate, unable to eat.

Under the table, something brushed against her foot.

She jerked, but it was just Derek's shoe. He pressed his foot against hers deliberately, getting her attention. When she looked up, he mouthed two words: Play along.

Lily wanted to kick him. Instead, she forced a smile.

"Thanks, Derek. I appreciate it."

"That's what family's for," Derek said smoothly.

The word family felt like a lie in her mouth. They weren't family. They were enemies bound by a terrible secret and an even more terrible deal.

After dinner, Lily volunteered to help clean up. Anything to avoid more forced conversation. She stood at the sink washing dishes while Mom dried, and Kane and Derek went to the living room to watch TV.

"You seem quiet tonight," Mom said gently. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

Lily scrubbed a plate harder than necessary. "Just tired. It's been a long day."

"I know this is a big change." Mom set down her towel and pulled Lily into a hug. "But I promise, it's going to be wonderful. Kane is amazing, and Derek... well, I think once you get to know him, you'll see what a good person he is."

Lily buried her face in her mother's shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of vanilla and lavender. More than anything, she wanted to tell Mom the truth, about Derek, about the life-debt, about how scared she was.

But she couldn't. Mom was so happy. So hopeful about this new life.

Lily couldn't destroy that.

"I love you, Mom," she whispered.

"I love you too, baby. So much." Mom kissed the top of her head. "Now go get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day."

Lily finished the dishes and headed upstairs with Luna. As she passed Derek's room at the end of the hall, she heard music playing—something low and intense, all bass and drums.

She hurried to her own room and locked the door.

Only then did she let herself break down.

She sank onto the bed, and Luna climbed up beside her, whining softly. Lily buried her hands in silver fur and let the tears come.

"What are we going to do, girl?" she whispered. "We're stuck here. Stuck with him."

Luna licked her face, offering comfort the only way she knew how.

Lily lay down, pulling Luna close. Through the wall, she could still hear Derek's music. He was so close, just down the hall, in the same house, unavoidable.

Her stepbrother.

Her blackmailer.

Her... what? What was he really?

The spark she'd felt when they shook hands tingled in her memory. It hadn't felt like pack magic. It had felt like something else entirely, something that scared her almost as much as the life-debt itself.

Lily closed her eyes, exhaustion finally dragging her toward sleep.

Tomorrow, she'd face Silver Creek High. Tomorrow, she'd start paying her debt.

Tomorrow, her new life as Derek Stone's assistant would begin.

But tonight, in the darkness of her room, she let herself hate him. Hate him for putting her in this position. Hate him for being right about pack law. Hate him for existing in her perfect, safe world and shattering it completely.

And underneath the hate, buried so deep she barely recognized it, fear.

Fear of the strange, electric connection she'd felt when they touched.

The next morning, Lily's alarm went off at six-thirty, dragging her from nightmares of blood and gray eyes. She lay in bed for a moment, disoriented, before remembering where she was.

The cabin. Derek. The life-debt.

It hadn't been a dream.

Luna was already awake, sitting by the window and watching the sunrise. Lily dragged herself out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom she now shared with Derek.

She froze with her hand on the doorknob.

What if he was in there?

"He left for his morning run twenty minutes ago," a voice said behind her.

Lily spun around. Kane stood in the hallway, already dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, holding a coffee mug.

"Oh. I didn't hear him leave."

"Derek's quiet when he wants to be." Kane smiled. "He runs every morning, rain or shine. Five miles through the forest. He'll be back by seven-fifteen."

"That's... dedicated."

"That's what it takes to be alpha." Kane's expression turned serious. "The pack looks to their leader for strength. Derek's been training his whole life for this role."

Lily nodded, not knowing what else to say. Kane seemed nice,  nothing like the cruel stepfather from fairy tales. That somehow made this whole situation worse.

"Anyway," Kane continued, "I just wanted to check on you. First day jitters?"

"A little," Lily admitted.

"Derek will take care of you. He's good at making people feel welcome." Kane squeezed her shoulder gently. "And if anyone gives you trouble, you tell me. Pack or human, it doesn't matter. You're my daughter now, and I protect what's mine."

The kindness in his voice made Lily's throat tight. She managed a smile and escaped into the bathroom before he could see the tears threatening to spill.

She locked the door and leaned against it, breathing hard.

This was so messed up. Kane was being wonderful, treating her like family, while his son was blackmailing her. How long could she keep up this act?

One year, she reminded herself. Just one year.

She showered quickly, hyperaware that Derek would be back soon. The bathroom was twice the size of the one in their old apartment, with a huge shower and double sinks. Derek's side was neat, toothbrush, deodorant, cologne organized on the counter. The cologne bottle caught her eye: expensive-looking, dark blue glass.

Before she could stop herself, Lily picked it up and sniffed it.

Pine and something darker. Cedar,

It smelled like Derek.

She slammed the bottle down, horrified at herself. Why did she care what he smelled like?

Back in her room, Lily stared at her closet. What did people wear to Silver Creek High? Her old school had uniforms, but Kane said this one didn't. She settled on jeans and a green sweater that brought out her eyes, then spent way too long trying to tame her hair into something presentable.

"What do you think?" she asked Luna, who cocked her head and wagged her tail once. "Good enough?"

A knock on her door made her jump.

"Lily? Derek's giving you a ride to school," Mom called. "You've got ten minutes!"

Lily's stomach dropped. A ride. With Derek. Alone.

"Coming!"

She grabbed her backpack, already loaded with new notebooks and pens Mom had bought, and headed downstairs. Derek stood by the front door, keys in hand, looking annoyingly perfect in dark jeans and a gray henley that matched his eyes.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really." His mouth twitched like he was fighting a smile.

Mom rushed over and handed Lily a brown paper bag. "I made you lunch! Turkey sandwich, apple slices, and those cookies you love."

"Mom, I'm eighteen. I can buy lunch."

"I know, but I wanted to." Mom kissed her cheek. "Have a wonderful first day, sweetheart. Both of you."

She hugged Derek too, and Lily watched his expression soften slightly. Whatever else he was, Derek clearly cared about his father and now, apparently, her mother.

Outside, Derek led her to a black truck parked in the driveway. It was huge and intimidating, like him.

"Nice truck," Lily said, because she had to say something.

"Graduation present." Derek unlocked it and climbed in. "You coming, or are you planning to walk?"

Lily gritted her teeth and got in. The interior smelled like his cologne, that same pine and cedar scent. She cracked the window.

Derek noticed but said nothing. He started the engine and backed out of the driveway.

For the first five minutes, neither of them spoke. Lily watched the forest rush past, trying to ignore how aware she was of Derek beside her. His hands were steady on the wheel, confident. He drove like he did everything else, with complete control.

"We need to go over some rules," Derek said finally.

"More rules?" Lily crossed her arms. "You already gave me plenty."

"These are different. These are about school." He glanced at her, then back at the road. "At Silver Creek High, I have a reputation. People expect things from me."

"Let me guess,  you're Mr. Popular. Everyone loves you."

"Not everyone. But most people respect me because they respect my father." Derek's jaw tightened. "That means they'll be watching you. Watching how we interact. Watching to see if there's any tension between us."

"So what am I supposed to do? Pretend I worship the ground you walk on?"