Chapter 1 Chapter 1

"Keep it classy and cool," Dad instructs, pacing around his office. His usual neat hair looks like a crow's nest, and dark circles have taken up residence under his eyes. The usual crisp executive look is gone.

I roll my eyes inwardly as I saunter over to his desk. The man hasn't had a good night's sleep in weeks. A recent demise in our pack coupled with the looming anniversary of Mum's passing didn't make for a peaceful slumber.

"Who's gracing us with their presence, Alpha?" Andy inquires with a touch of deference. The lad never lost his formality, even with Dad. He was heir apparent, and I must admit, the prospect of him ruling was an entertaining one.

"But he won't hold a candle to Dad," comments Eve, my inner wolf.

"You're darn right, no one can fill Dad's shoes."

Dad pauses, rubbing his forehead before responding. Seeing him worn out and deflated tugs at my heartstrings.

"The Alpha duo from the Red Moon pack," he reveals, his voice as calm as a still pond, but the shiver down his spine speaks volumes about his inner turmoil.

For a beat, the room falls deathly silent, before erupting into chaos as my trio of brothers kick off a verbal riot.

"What the...!" exclaims David, his fists balled in suppressed rage. On the other hand, Hank, the baby of the family, takes the news a tad differently.

"They can't drop in on us. They...they'll wipe us out!" He breathes in deeply, attempting to mask the panic written all over his face.

My gaze drifts to Andy. He's lounging in a chair, eyes glazed over, gears turning in his head, plotting out strategies. Rising from his seat, he shakes his head as if to clear the fog.

"They're not going to decimate us," he proclaims, his voice echoing power and authority. "If the Alphas want a showdown, we'll give them one."

David and Mark take a moment to digest Andy's bold proclamation before diving headfirst back into their squabble.

Having had enough of their incessant bickering, I turn my attention to Dad. He's leaned back in his chair, arms folded neatly over his chest, watching his sons' theatrics with a patience that's wearing thin.

Like Andy, Dad rises from his chair, and I quickly avert my gaze, bracing for the storm.

"Enough!" he roars, instantly commandeering their attention. "They're not coming for a rumble. They're coming to find their mate."

"What?!" I yell at my Dad. "They can't! They just can't!"

My thoughts race as I try to make sense of his words. I didn't sign up for a mate. What if they show up and decide that I'm the one for them? No, I won't let that happen. Eve cuts into my thoughts.

"I hope they're our mate," she chirps excitedly. "I can't wait to meet our mate."

"I don't..."

She cuts me off before I can finish, severing our connection. Over the past year, she's been bubbling over with excitement about finding a mate. I, however, wasn't quite sold on the idea. Deep down, I liked the idea of someone looking out for me, cherishing me.

But the fear of him being domineering and aggressive, of him wanting me only as a sedative for his wolf, or worse, of him rejecting me, kept me on the fence.

When Mum was around, she would assure me that my mate would love me unconditionally. But she wasn't here anymore to soothe my fears.

Lost in my whirlpool of thoughts, I barely notice my brothers forming a protective circle around me.

"We won't let them lay a paw on you," David reassures me.

"Damn right!" my other brothers chime in.

A small smile plays on my lips. I'm touched, but I won't let them get hurt if the Alphas turn out to be my mates.

"We could always hide her," Andy suggests, "Maybe a little trip to the city." His eyes glaze over again as he hatches a plan.

The idea makes my smile broaden. Maybe I could avoid the whole mate situation altogether.

"Francis, we can tuck you away in a human town," David proposes.

"I'll get your stuff together. We can hit the road tonight," Hank adds as he heads for the door, with me and my brothers trailing behind.

"Halt!" Dad commands, using his Alpha voice. We all stop in our tracks and make our way back to the center of the room.

"No one is going anywhere," he declares, taking a moment before sighing. "I'm sorry, Francis."

I feel anger bubbling up inside me. How could my Dad keep me trapped here? Doesn't he want me to be happy? I lift my gaze to meet his, ready to lock horns, but the sight of unshed tears in his eyes quells my anger. I inhale deeply, reminding myself that my father loves me.

"The Alphas know I have a daughter. Trying to hide or escape will only poke the bear and might lead to them retaliating and tearing our pack apart."

My heart sinks. He's right; I could see the bloody remains of our pack if I acted out of turn. I shudder at the thought. I couldn't let that happen.

"Don't sweat it. I'll keep you safe," Andy murmurs, misreading my shudder as fear.

"They're not going to be my mates. There are thousands of unclaimed females out there. Surely the Moon Goddess wouldn't be so cruel as to pair me up with them," I say, trying to comfort my brothers, and maybe myself a little.

Their heads bob in agreement, but their faces remain clouded with concern.

Deep in my world of thoughts, I barely registered my brothers forming a knightly guard around me.

"You'll remain unscathed," David assures me with conviction.

"Absolutely," chime in my other two brothers, their voices in perfect harmony.

A small grin tugs at my lips. Their protectiveness is heartwarming, but I refuse to let them get caught in the crossfire if the Alphas, heaven forbid, turned out to be my mates.

"We could play hide and seek," Andy muses, his eyes drifting off into the distance as gears turn in his brain. "A city sabbatical, maybe."

A broader grin spreads across my face. If I could dodge this bullet altogether, why not?

"Francis, we'll squirrel you away in some human hamlet," David proposes.

"Get your bag ready. We can hit the road as soon as the rooster crows," Hank seconds, heading towards the door with me and my brothers in tow.

"Hold your horses!" Dad's growl rumbles across the room, resonating with his Alpha authority. Heads bowed, we all retreat back to the center of the room.

"No one's going on a joyride," he declares, pausing before heaving a sigh. "I'm sorry, Francis."

Anger flares up in me. How could Dad confine me here, clip my wings? Didn't he want to see me happy? I raise my gaze to lock horns with him, but my anger deflates like a punctured balloon at the sight of unshed tears in his eyes. I inhale deeply, reminding myself that despite everything, my father loves me.

"The Alphas know I have a progeny. Trying to give them the slip or hide would only provoke them, potentially leading to a full-blown retaliation and devastation of our pack."

Dread pools in my stomach. He's right. The image of our pack strewn across the field, ripped to shreds due to my actions, sends chills down my spine. I couldn't let that happen.

"Chill out. I've got your back," Andy whispers, mistaking my shudder for fear instead of the profound horror it really is.

"They're not going to be my mates. The Moon Goddess isn't so sadistic to match me with them. There are thousands of unclaimed females out there," I try to reassure my brothers, and perhaps myself.

They nod in agreement, though their faces are still etched with worry.