"The rogues at the eastern border have been dealt with."

Alpha Lucian's voice filled the great hall as he addressed the pack. I should have been listening to his words, focusing on pack business, but all I could think about was the way his eyes kept finding mine.

It wasn't my imagination. Every few minutes, his silver gaze would sweep across the room and land on me for just a moment too long.

My wolf purred with satisfaction.

"Additionally," the Alpha continued, "we'll be increasing patrols along the northern territory. I want teams of four, rotating every six hours."

I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs slowly. The movement made my dress ride up slightly. I saw the Alpha's eyes flick down, just for a second, before he forced his attention back to the crowd.

Good.

"Are there any questions?" he asked.

Silence. No one questioned the Alpha. Not directly.

"Then this meeting is-"

"I have a question."

The voice came from the back of the room. Jude.

My whole body tensed. What was he doing?

Alpha Lucian's expression darkened slightly. "Speak, Jude."

"Father, I... I wanted to address the situation with my rejected mate bond."

No. No, no, no. He wouldn't dare-

"There's nothing to address," the Alpha said coldly. "You betrayed your mate. The bond is broken. The matter is closed."

"But Father-"

"I said the matter is closed." The Alpha's voice dropped to a growl that made everyone in the room shrink back. Everyone except me.

I turned around to look at Jude. His face was red with embarrassment and anger. Lucy stood beside him, her hand on his arm, trying to pull him back.

"She rejected me," Jude said, his voice rising. "She didn't even give me a chance to explain-"

"You were in bed with her sister!" someone shouted from the crowd.

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the hall.

"Explain that!" another voice called out.

"Enough!" Alpha Lucian's command silenced everyone instantly. He stepped down from the platform, his massive frame radiating power and danger. "Jude, you will not make excuses for your actions. You dishonored your mate. You dishonored this pack. You are lucky I didn't banish you myself."

"Lucky?" Jude's voice cracked. "You call this lucky? I lost my mate! My wolf is dying inside me!"

"Then you should have thought of that before you betrayed her."

The Alpha turned away from his son dismissively and faced the pack again. "This meeting is over. Return to your duties."

People started filing out, whispering to each other. I stood up slowly, making sure to catch the Alpha's attention again.

Our eyes met. Held.

Something passed between us. Something dangerous and electric that made my skin tingle.

Then he turned and walked toward his office, the crowd parting before him like water.

I took a deep breath. This was it. This was my moment.

I started walking toward the hallway that led to his office, my heels clicking against the floor.

"Hailey, wait."

I froze. That voice.

I turned slowly to find Jude standing behind me, his green eyes pleading.

"Don't," I said coldly. "Don't say my name. You lost that right."

"Please, I just need to talk to you. Five minutes. That's all I'm asking."

"No."

"Hailey, please-"

"She said no, Jude."

Teddy appeared at my side, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His expression was hard as stone.

"This is between me and Hailey," Jude snapped.

"There is no 'you and Hailey' anymore," Teddy replied. "You made sure of that when you screwed her sister."

Jude's face twisted with anger. "This is none of your business, Teddy."

"It became my business when you hurt a member of this pack. When you dishonored all of us with your actions."

Other wolves were starting to gather, watching the confrontation. I could see Lucy hovering nearby, her face anxious.

"I don't have time for this," I said, turning away from Jude. "I have somewhere to be."

"Where? Where are you going?" Jude demanded.

I looked over my shoulder and smiled. It wasn't a kind smile. "None of your business. Not anymore."

I walked away, feeling his eyes burning into my back. Good. Let him wonder. Let him worry.

The hallway to the Alpha's office was empty and quiet. My heart pounded as I approached the heavy wooden door.

Was I really going to do this?

My wolf growled in encouragement. Yes. We were.

I raised my hand to knock, then hesitated. What would I even say? "Hi, Alpha, I want to seduce you to get revenge on your son"?

Before I could decide, the door swung open.

Alpha Lucian stood there, his silver eyes boring into mine. Up close, he was even more intimidating. Taller. Broader. The scent of him-pine and earth and raw power-made my wolf sit up and take notice.

"Hailey Moreno," he said, my name a rumble in his chest. "I wondered if you would come."

I blinked, surprised. "You... knew I would come here?"

"I know many things." He stepped aside, gesturing into his office. "Come in. We need to talk."

I hesitated for only a moment before walking past him into the office. The room was large, dominated by a massive desk and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. A fire crackled in the fireplace, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

The door closed behind me with a soft click.

We were alone.

"Sit," the Alpha said, gesturing to one of the leather chairs in front of his desk.

I sat, acutely aware of how short my dress was, how exposed I felt under his gaze.

He didn't sit behind his desk. Instead, he leaned against it, his arms crossed, looking down at me.

"Why are you here, Hailey?"

The question was simple, but loaded. I chose my words carefully.

"I wanted to thank you," I said. "For what you said at the meeting. About Jude."

"I said nothing that wasn't true. My son dishonored his mate bond. He dishonored you. He deserves every bit of shame he feels."

There was genuine anger in his voice. Disgust, even. It surprised me.

"Most fathers would defend their sons," I said quietly.

"Most sons don't deserve defending." He was quiet for a moment, then added, "I'm sorry for what he did to you. No wolf should ever experience a broken mate bond, especially not through betrayal."

The sympathy in his voice made something crack inside my chest. I hadn't expected kindness from him. I'd expected power, authority, maybe even interest. But not this.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"No, you're not. I can see the pain in your eyes. Your wolf is damaged."

"She'll heal."

"Will she?" He tilted his head, studying me. "Or will she simply learn to live with the rage?"

My breath caught. How did he know?

"You're wondering how I know," he continued, as if reading my mind. "It's because I've felt it, too. When my mate left, when she rejected our bond and disappeared, I thought I would die from the pain. My wolf wanted nothing but revenge for years."

"What did you do?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I learned to channel it. To use it. To become stronger because of it, not in spite of it."

He moved then, walking around his desk to pour himself a drink from a crystal decanter. Whiskey, from the smell of it.

"Would you like one?" he asked.

"Yes."

He poured a second glass and handed it to me. Our fingers brushed, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot up my arm.

From the way his eyes flashed, he felt it, too.

"You know," he said, sitting down in the chair next to mine instead of behind his desk, "you're playing a dangerous game, Hailey Moreno."

My heart stopped. "What do you mean?"

"Coming here. Wearing that dress. Looking at me the way you've been looking at me all night." His silver eyes held mine captive. "Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Heat flooded my face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar." He took a sip of his whiskey, never breaking eye contact. "You want revenge on my son. I understand that. What I don't understand is why you think using me is the way to get it."

I couldn't breathe. He knew. He'd known the whole time.

"I'm not-" I started, but he held up his hand.

"Don't insult my intelligence. You're here because you want to seduce me. You want Jude to know that you've moved on, that you've moved up. To an Alpha. To his father."

I should have been embarrassed. Ashamed, even. But I wasn't. Instead, I felt a strange sense of relief.

"You're right," I said, lifting my chin. "That's exactly why I'm here."

He smiled. It wasn't a kind smile. It was dangerous. Predatory.

"Finally. Honesty." He leaned forward, his face close to mine. "Let me be honest with you in return, Hailey. I've been watching you for a long time. Long before my son claimed you as his mate."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "What?"

"You were eighteen when the mate bond snapped into place between you and Jude. Do you remember what happened the day before?"

I thought back. That was two years ago. The day before my eighteenth birthday, I'd been...

"I was running in the woods," I said slowly. "In wolf form. I'd been training."

"You were. And I was there, watching from the shadows. I saw you take down a deer twice your size. I saw your strength, your grace, your determination. And I wanted you."

The admission hung in the air between us, heavy and dangerous.

"But then the next day, the mate bond snapped into place between you and my son. And I had to watch as you gave yourself to him. As you smiled at him. As you loved him."

His voice had gone rough, almost angry.

"I've been watching you for two years, Hailey. Watching and waiting and hating myself for wanting my son's mate. And now you come to me, offering yourself for revenge. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

I should have been scared. I should have run.

But my wolf was practically singing inside me.

"I'm not afraid of you," I whispered.

"You should be." He reached out and traced his finger along my jawline. The touch sent shivers down my spine. "Because if you start this, if you really want to play this game, I won't be gentle. I won't hold back. And when it's over, when you've had your revenge and Jude is broken at your feet, you'll be mine. Completely and utterly mine."

"That's not how this works," I said, but my voice was shaky. "This is just revenge. Nothing more."

He laughed, a dark, knowing sound.

"Keep telling yourself that, little wolf. But we both know the truth." He stood up, towering over me. "You're attracted to me. You have been since you walked into that meeting hall tonight. Maybe even before."

"I'm not-"

"Your scent gives you away. Arousal has a very distinctive smell."

Heat flooded my entire body. Oh, Goddess. Could he really smell that?

"Don't be embarrassed," he said, his voice dropping to a purr. "I'm aroused, too. I have been since I saw you in that dress."

This was spiraling out of control. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I was supposed to be in control, to seduce him, to use him for my revenge.

But somehow, I was the one being seduced.

"I should go," I said, standing up quickly.

"Running away already?" He blocked my path to the door. "I thought you wanted revenge."

"I do. But not like this. Not-"

"Not what? Not with me in control?" He stepped closer, his body nearly touching mine. "That's the problem with revenge, Hailey. Once you start playing with fire, you're going to get burned."

"Maybe I want to get burned."

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

His eyes flashed silver-his wolf surging forward.

"Be very careful what you wish for," he growled.

Then he stepped aside, clearing the path to the door.

"Go home, Hailey. Think about what you really want. Because if you come to me again, if you knock on this door one more time, there's no going back. Do you understand?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

I walked to the door on shaky legs. Just as I reached it, his voice stopped me.

"Hailey?"

I turned.

"That dress looks very good on you. Wear it again next time."

I fled.

I didn't sleep that night.

How could I? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Alpha Lucian's silver gaze. I felt his finger tracing my jaw. I heard his voice: You'll be mine. Completely and utterly mine.

"This is wrong," I whispered to the darkness of my bedroom. "This is all wrong."

My wolf disagreed. She'd been restless all night, pacing inside my mind, wanting to go back to him.

He wants us, she purred. The Alpha wants us.

"He wants to control us. There's a difference."

Is there?

I threw off my blankets and got out of bed. It was five in the morning, still dark outside. I needed to run. I needed to clear my head.

I stripped off my pajamas and shifted, letting my white wolf burst free. The change was painful-it always was now, after the broken bond-but I gritted my teeth through it.

Once in wolf form, I slipped out through the back door and into the woods.

The forest was quiet this early, peaceful. I ran hard, pushing my body to its limits, trying to outrun my thoughts.

It didn't work.

He's been watching us for two years, my wolf reminded me. Wanting us. Waiting.

"That doesn't make it right. He's Jude's father."

Jude betrayed us. Jude deserves whatever pain we cause him.

She had a point. But this thing with Alpha Lucian was getting complicated. I'd wanted simple revenge-seduce the Alpha, make Jude jealous, break his heart the way he'd broken mine.

But the Alpha had turned the tables on me. He'd made it clear that if I pursued this, he would be the one in control. Not me.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the other wolf until it was too late.

A massive black wolf stepped out of the shadows in front of me, blocking my path.

I skidded to a halt, my hackles rising. But then I caught the scent.

Alpha Lucian.

Of course it was him.

He shifted to human form in a fluid motion that spoke of centuries of practice. He stood before me, completely naked and utterly unashamed, his silver eyes glowing in the pre-dawn darkness.

"Shift," he commanded.

I hesitated. I was naked under my fur, and shifting would leave me just as exposed as he was.

"Shift, Hailey. Now."

The Alpha command in his voice left me no choice. My wolf couldn't disobey. I shifted back to human form, immediately wrapping my arms around myself to cover my nakedness.

"You were right to run," he said, taking a step closer. "But you can't outrun this. Whatever this is between us."

"There's nothing between us. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have come to your office last night. I'm sorry."

"Liar." He closed the distance between us in two long strides. "You feel it, just like I do. This pull. This... need."

"It's not real. It's just-"

"Just what? Just revenge? Just a game?" He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Tell me you don't feel anything when I touch you. Tell me your wolf isn't begging you to submit right now."

I couldn't tell him that. Because it would be a lie.

My wolf was practically howling inside me, wanting him to touch us more, to claim us, to-

"I can't do this," I whispered, pulling away from him. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because it's wrong! You're Jude's father!"

"And Jude is the one who betrayed you. The one who broke your bond. The one who chose your sister over you." His voice softened slightly. "Why do you still care what he thinks?"

"I don't care what he thinks. I care about-" I stopped, frustrated. "I don't know what I care about anymore. Everything is so confused."

He was quiet for a moment, studying me. Then he did something unexpected. He took off his jacket-where had that come from?-and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"You're cold," he said simply.

The gesture was so tender, so unexpected, that tears sprang to my eyes. I blinked them back furiously.

"Go home, Hailey," he said, his voice gentler now. "Get some rest. Clear your head. And when you've decided what you really want, come find me."

"What if I decide I don't want this? Don't want... you?"

A smile tugged at his lips. "Then I'll accept that. I won't force you into anything you don't want."

"Really?"

"Really." He paused. "But I don't think that's what you'll decide."

"You're very sure of yourself."

"I'm an Alpha. It comes with the territory." He stepped back, giving me space. "Now go. Before I change my mind about being a gentleman."

I turned to shift back into my wolf form, then stopped. "Alpha Lucian?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For the jacket. And for... everything else."

"You're welcome, little wolf."

I shifted and ran, his jacket clutched in my jaws. I didn't look back, even though I could feel his eyes on me the whole way.

When I got back to my cabin, the sun was just starting to rise. I shifted back to human form and went inside, wrapping his jacket tighter around me.

It smelled like him. Pine and earth and power.

My phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. I picked it up and saw seventeen missed calls. Most were from my mother. Three were from Lucy.

There was also a text from Petra: Are you okay? I heard you went to talk to the Alpha last night. CALL ME.

And one from a number I didn't recognize: This is Alpha Lucian. Yes, I have your number. I've had it for two years. Sleep well, little wolf.

My heart did a strange flip in my chest.

This man was dangerous. Dangerous to my plans, dangerous to my heart, dangerous to everything.

But Moon Goddess help me, I wanted him anyway.

"You slept with him, didn't you?"

Petra stared at me across her kitchen table, her eyes wide with shock and maybe a little bit of awe.

"What? No! I didn't sleep with him!" I protested, nearly spilling my coffee. "Why would you think that?"

"Because you're wearing his jacket. And you have that look on your face."

I glanced down at the jacket I was still wearing. I'd meant to take it off before coming to Petra's house, but somehow I'd forgotten.

"What look?"

"The 'I got thoroughly seduced by an Alpha' look."

"That's not a real look."

"It is, and you have it." Petra leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper even though we were alone. "Tell me everything. What happened?"

I told her about the meeting, about going to his office, about our conversation. I left out some of the more intimate details, but I told her enough.

When I finished, Petra sat back in her chair, looking stunned.

"So he's been watching you for two years? That's..."

"Creepy? Obsessive? Wrong?"

"I was going to say romantic, actually."

I blinked at her. "How is that romantic?"

"Hailey, the Alpha-the most powerful wolf in our pack-has been pining after you for two years. He wanted you but couldn't have you because of the mate bond. And now that you're free, he's making his move. That's like something out of a story."

"It's not romantic. It's complicated."

"Love is always complicated."

"This isn't love. This is revenge. And lust. And... I don't know what else, but it's definitely not love."

Petra gave me a knowing look. "Keep telling yourself that."

Before I could argue, there was a knock at the door. Petra went to answer it and came back looking worried.

"It's your mother," she whispered. "She says she needs to talk to you."

My stomach dropped. "Tell her I'm not here."

"Hailey, I can't lie to..."

"Hailey, I know you're in there." My mother's voice came from the doorway. "Please. I just want to talk."

I closed my eyes, trying to find the strength to face her. Then I nodded to Petra.

My mother walked into the kitchen, and my heart clenched. She looked tired. Older than I remembered. Her dark hair..the same shade as mine and Lucy's...had more gray in it now.

"Sweetheart," she said softly.

"Don't call me that."

She flinched but didn't back down. "I know you're angry. You have every right to be."

"I'm not angry. I'm done. With Lucy. With you. With all of it."

"Lucy made a terrible mistake"

"A mistake?" I stood up, fury rushing through me. "A mistake is forgetting someone's birthday or burning dinner. What Lucy did wasn't a mistake. It was a choice. A choice she made every day for six months."

"She's your sister. Your twin. You two have always been so close-"

"We're not close anymore. She's dead to me."

My mother's eyes filled with tears. "Don't say that. Please. Family is everything."

"Family?" I laughed bitterly. "Family doesn't sleep with your mate. Family doesn't betray you in the worst possible way. Family doesn't choose a man over their own blood."

"She loves him, Hailey. She really does. She's in love with Jude...."

"Get out."

"Hailey....."

"Get. Out." I was shaking now, my wolf pushing at my control. "Get out before I shift and throw you out."

Petra stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "I think you should leave, Mrs. Moreno."

My mother looked between us, then nodded slowly. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry for everything."

She left.

I sat back down, my hands trembling. Petra put her hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"No. But I will be."

My phone buzzed. Another text from the Alpha: Training grounds. Noon. Don't be late.

"What is it?" Petra asked.

"The Alpha wants to see me."

"Are you going to go?"

I looked at his jacket, still wrapped around me. At the text message. At the choice in front of me.

"Yes," I said finally. "I'm going to go."

Because if I was going to burn, I might as well burn bright. 

"You're late."

Alpha Lucian stood in the center of the training grounds, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He wore simple training clothes-black pants and a tight-fitting shirt that showed off every muscle.

I tried not to stare.

"I'm five minutes late," I said, walking toward him. I'd changed out of his jacket and into my own training gear-fitted leggings and a sports bra. "That's hardly late at all."

"When an Alpha tells you to be somewhere at noon, you're there at eleven fifty-five. Not twelve-oh-five."

"Then maybe you should have said eleven fifty-five."

His eyes narrowed, but I saw the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Are you always this difficult?"

"Only when I'm annoyed."

"And what do you have to be annoyed about?"

"My mother came to see me this morning. She wanted me to forgive Lucy."

The smile disappeared from his face. "And?"

"And I told her to leave. That Lucy is dead to me."

He studied me for a long moment. "Good."

"Good?"

"Yes. Good. Your sister betrayed you in the worst way possible. You owe her nothing." He gestured to the training mat. "Now, let's see what you can do."

I blinked at him. "What?"

"You wanted my attention, didn't you? Well, you have it. But I need to know what I'm working with. So show me. Fight me."

"Fight you? But you're an Alpha. I can't-"

"Can't what? Can't possibly win?" His smile was sharp and dangerous. "You're probably right. But I want to see you try anyway."

My wolf perked up at the challenge. She wanted to prove ourselves to him, wanted to show him what we could do.

"Fine," I said, stepping onto the mat. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

"Warned. Noted. Now come at me."

I didn't give him time to prepare. I lunged forward, aiming a punch at his stomach. He blocked it easily, but I'd expected that. It was a feint. My real attack was the kick I aimed at his knee.

He moved faster than should have been possible, catching my leg mid-kick and twisting, throwing me off balance. I hit the mat hard but rolled, coming back to my feet immediately.

"Good reflexes," he said, circling me. "But predictable. Try again."

I did. Again and again. Each time, he countered my moves effortlessly, but he never went on the offensive. He was testing me, I realized. Seeing what I could do.

After ten minutes, I was breathing hard, sweat dripping down my back. He hadn't even broken a sweat.

"Had enough?" he asked.

"Not even close."

This time, instead of attacking head-on, I feinted left, then dropped low and swept his legs. To my shock, the move connected. He went down.

But before I could capitalize on it, he grabbed my ankle and pulled me down with him. Suddenly I was pinned beneath him, his body pressing mine into the mat, his hands holding my wrists above my head.

We were both breathing hard now, our faces inches apart.

"That was clever," he murmured. "I didn't see it coming."

"You're not the only one full of surprises," I managed to say, despite the fact that my heart was racing.

His eyes darkened. "No. I'm beginning to realize that."

The air between us crackled with tension. His body was warm and hard against mine, his scent overwhelming my senses. I was acutely aware of how little we were both wearing, of how easy it would be to-

"Alpha Lucian!"

We both jerked our heads toward the voice. Teddy stood at the edge of the training grounds, looking uncomfortable.

"What is it?" the Alpha growled, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

"There's a situation at the northern border. Beta Edward needs you immediately."

Alpha Lucian cursed under his breath. He pushed himself up, releasing me from his hold. I immediately felt the loss of his warmth.

"I have to go," he said, offering me his hand to help me up. I took it, trying to ignore the electric jolt that ran through me at the contact. "We'll continue this later."

"Continue what? The training or...?"

"Both." His silver eyes held a promise. "Definitely both."

Then he was gone, shifting mid-stride into his massive black wolf and disappearing into the forest with Teddy.

I stood there for a moment, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here."

I spun around to find Lucy standing at the edge of the training grounds, her arms crossed. She looked different than she had a week ago. Thinner. Paler. Like she hadn't been sleeping.

Good.

"What do you want, Lucy?"

"I want to talk to you. Sister to sister."

"We're not sisters. Not anymore."

She flinched but didn't leave. Instead, she walked closer, her eyes pleading.

"Hailey, please. I know you're angry-"

"Angry doesn't even begin to cover it."

"But you have to understand. Jude and I didn't mean for this to happen. We fell in love. Real love. The kind that-"

"Stop." I held up my hand. "I don't want to hear it. I don't care about your excuses or your justifications. What you did was unforgivable."

"So you're just going to hate me forever?"

"Yes."

She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "And sleeping with Jude's father? Is that your revenge? Because that's sick, Hailey. Even for you."

My wolf snarled inside me. "I'm not sleeping with him."

"Yet. But you want to. I can see it all over your face." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. "You think you're so much better than me? You're not. You're doing the exact same thing I did. Going after someone you shouldn't have."

"No. What I'm doing is nothing like what you did. I'm not betraying anyone. Jude and I are done. The bond is broken. I owe him nothing."

"But the Alpha is his father-"

"I don't care!" The words exploded out of me. "I don't care about Jude's feelings. I don't care if it hurts him. He hurt me first. He destroyed me first."

"So this is about revenge then. Not love."

"Love?" I laughed bitterly. "What would you know about love? You slept with your sister's mate for six months. That's not love. That's selfishness."

Lucy's face crumpled. For a moment, she looked like the sister I used to know. The one I'd shared everything with. The one I'd trusted with my deepest secrets.

Then I remembered finding her in my bed with Jude, and my heart turned to ice again.

"Get away from me, Lucy. And don't come back."

"Hailey-"

"I said get away!"

My wolf surged forward, my eyes flashing, claws extending. Lucy stumbled backward, fear written across her face.

"You're different," she whispered. "You've changed."

"You made me change. You and Jude. You killed the old Hailey. This is who I am now."

Lucy turned and ran. I watched her go, feeling nothing. Not sadness. Not regret. Nothing.

My phone buzzed. A text from the Alpha: Northern border secured. Meet me at my house tonight. 8pm. We have things to discuss.

My heart started racing again. His house. Not his office. His house.

This was it. The point of no return.

I texted back: I'll be there.

Because I was done running from this. Done denying what I wanted.

If the Alpha wanted to play with fire, then I would burn him alive.