Chapter 4 4

Mindy

I turned my head to check myself in the long mirror at Jack's salon. I couldn't hold back the squeal that escaped my lips.

"Wow, Jack! I look adorable! Thank you so much, sweetie. That's one of the reasons I love you." I grinned wide and winked at him.

Jack let out a low whistle. "Girl, you look like a princess. Duncan won't be able to take his eyes off you. I'm dead serious."

"You really think so?" I gave him my best puppy-dog face. "I don't get why he never sees me like a woman. He just looks at other girls. I wish-just once-he'd notice me the way I want him to. Like I'm a she-wolf, not his little sister." My voice got quiet. I sighed, feeling that same heavy sadness and frustration settle in my chest again.

Jack stepped closer and pulled me into a hug. He pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. "Honey, it's not easy for any Alpha to see his little sister that way. Don't hold it against him. Maybe he does know how stunning you are... but he can't let himself see you as anything more than family. Maybe he's fighting the mate bond too. Maybe he's doing everything he can to hide what he really feels."

I knew he was right. It made sense. But it still hurt like hell.

Still... it wasn't impossible. Werewolf history had stories of siblings being mates. It wasn't encouraged, but it wasn't completely forbidden either. One of them could reject it if they wanted. But in ancient times, even the king was mated to his sister. So why couldn't it happen to me?

These new rules the packs made up felt wrong. I believed in the Moon Goddess. And I believed in love. If the Goddess paired us-if she thought it was okay-then why should I hide it? Why should I keep it from Duncan?

I needed answers. But deep down, I knew I'd never give up. I was too stubborn. Too in love. Maybe too crazy. I kept telling myself I'd claim him someday. I knew we were dancing on the edge of something dangerous-crossing lines that couldn't be uncrossed. But what else could I do? My heart was sick without him.

The only cure was Duncan. Being near him. Seeing him. Touching him. He was my addiction.

No other woman could ever love him the way I did.

He was the air I breathed. The sun in my day. The moon in my night. My motivation. My everything.

If I lost him, I'd lose myself. I'd rather die than live without him.

I loved him in a way he could never understand. I was sure he had no idea I saw him as my mate-not just my big brother. How could he miss it? Every time I touched him, my skin burned. My heart raced. My wolf howled inside me.

Was he really that blind?

The only way to make him mine was to do something big. Something he couldn't ignore. That's why Jack and I had spent years planning. Every party I crashed. Every boyfriend I paraded in front of him. Every sexy dress. Every jealous glare he gave me.

So far, nothing. He still saw me as his little sister.

Sometimes I thought about just telling him. Confessing everything. But Jack always stopped me.

He was right. If I told Duncan the truth, he might push me away forever. He wouldn't hurt me-he'd never hurt me-but he might build new walls. New rules. New distance.

And I couldn't survive that.

Still... his reactions gave me hope.

The way he got so angry when I was with other guys. The way he watched me. The way he acted overly protective. It felt like more than just brotherly love.

Or maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see.

"Hey, girl! Snap out of it!" Jack snapped his fingers in front of my face. "We still have to get you dressed. Come on, show me how you look in that sexy dress. Let's get this party started. You don't want to be late."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the dressing room.

A few minutes later, I stepped out. White sleeveless mini dress-low-cut, showing half my chest, barely covering my thighs. High heels that made my legs look endless. I fluffed my hair and spun for him.

"What do you think?"

Jack whistled again. "Well... I think you might pass."

I glared at him. "Just pass? You're ruining my mood."

He laughed and took my hand. "Baby, I'm kidding. You're 100% gonna win tonight. I just hope your boyfriend looks half as good as you do."

I rolled my eyes. "I hope so too. But honestly? Derek's hot... but he's no Duncan."

Jack's eyes widened. "Wait-are you falling for him or something? If you think your new boyfriend is better than Duncan, why not just stay with him and forget about your brother?"

I sighed and put my hand over my heart. "No. I love Duncan. No one will ever take his place. No one."

Jack softened. "Then let's make sure tonight is the night he finally sees it."

I nodded. "Let's do this. Call Derek. Tell him not to be late. Tuxedo. No excuses."

Jack grinned. "On it."

I stared at my reflection one more time. Tonight, I wasn't just going to a party.

Tonight, I was going to war for my mate.

And I wasn't giving up. Not ever.

I grabbed my phone as soon as Jack nodded. "Derek, where are you?" I asked as soon as he picked up. He answered on the first ring-like he'd been waiting by the phone.

"Darling, I'm on my way to your house. Want me to meet you somewhere and drive you?" Derek asked, sounding way too eager.

"No. Just wait for me outside the gate. You're not coming inside without my permission. I want to surprise my brother." I kept my tone sharp.

"Okay, sweetie. Do whatever you want. Don't be late. I've already missed you so much. I love you, baby."

I rolled my eyes. His clingy, dramatic attitude annoyed me. I really didn't like this guy. At all.

I had no idea what I was walking into tonight, but one thing was clear: I wanted to ruin Duncan's perfect little party. I wanted to make him jealous. Furious. I wanted him to see me with someone else and lose his mind.

And yeah... part of me was a little scared of what Duncan might do if he saw me with a new, charming boyfriend.

But mostly? I thought it would be hilarious.

This party was about to get turned upside down.

I had a bad feeling something big was coming tonight.

*Please, Goddess, stay with me.*

I hung up on Derek without saying goodbye.

He was used to my cold attitude by now. Maybe he was kind of a sub-he actually seemed to like it when I was mean to him. He enjoyed the teasing. The insults. I had no idea why. He was just weird.

He was the total opposite of Duncan. If I ever talked to Duncan like that, he'd probably lose it. He'd never hit me-never-but his anger would turn into sharp words. Cutting insults. And even then, he was still kind to me. Still protective.

"When you love someone, everything they do feels good," the saying goes. "You forgive them for everything."

And yeah... I did.

"Alright, Jack, let's get this party started," I said, lifting my chin. "Derek's waiting."

"Let's go," Jack said. We walked out of the salon and headed to my car. I got in, rolled down the window. Jack was still holding his keys.

"What?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "You said you were coming with me!"

Jack shook his head slowly. His eyes looked far away-like he was thinking hard. "Listen... you should go alone tonight."

I opened my door and stepped out. Put both hands on his shoulders. "Jack! Why? What's going on? I need you there. Please. I'm nervous."

He shrugged. "I've got this strong feeling something huge is gonna happen tonight. And I think... you need to be alone with Derek. Trust me. You're gonna want to handle this on your own."

He looked me up and down. "Right now, all I see is a gorgeous woman who's about to make every werewolf and Alpha at that party lose their minds. Believe me."

I didn't love the idea. But I trusted Jack's instincts. Always had.

"Okay," I said finally. "But wish me luck."

Jack grinned and shoved me gently back toward the car. "Go win tonight. Just a little tequila and you'll be unstoppable."

I nodded. Smiled. "I promise. I'll win."

I got back in the car, started the engine, and sped off. My heart was racing faster than the car.

I was nervous. Excited. Terrified.

I lived in the same house as Duncan. Shared the same roof. But I still missed him every day. He was always so busy. I barely saw him.

But he called me. Every single day. More than ten times sometimes. Just to check on me. To ask about college. About my day. About everything.

Even when he was away on business, he made sure to sleep in his own bed at night. He always said, "I've got my best guards, my best men, and my assistants all around you. Everywhere. I can't let anything happen to my heart."

He called me his heart. Said he was happy just making me happy.

He told me over and over that he loved me more than any woman, more than money, more than his pack, more than himself.

But he still didn't know how much I loved him.

I pulled up to the gate with a loud screech. Looked around for Derek. Didn't see him.

I grabbed my phone and called.

He picked up fast. "Honey, I'm right here. Across the street. In the parking lot."

I spotted his car. Waved him over. "Follow me in."

He pulled up behind me.

I took a deep breath.

Tonight wasn't just a party.

Tonight was everything.

And I was ready.