Chapter 7 7

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.