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My true mate just rejected me. He chose my twin sister instead. Now I'm banished, alone, and starting over. But I have a secret. The Alpha King is coming to visit my old pack. And he just hired me as his personal attorney. Tomorrow, they'll find out the girl they threw away is now the most powerful woman in the kingdom. Revenge has never tasted so sweet. --- Chapter 1 My name is Ava. I am the youngest daughter of Liam and Olivia Fairsprene. We are the Beta family of the Silverwood Pack in Montana. My brother, William, is coming home today. He's been away at Alpha training. Alpha Benjamin Kalmien and my brother left almost two years ago. They went to learn how to be the best leaders for our pack. My twin sister, Sophia, has been a nervous wreck all day. Tonight, at the ascension ceremony, she will become Benjamin's chosen Luna. I chose a different path. I decided to become an attorney for our kind. Now that shifters are known to the human world, we're constantly involved in legal disputes. I want to be part of solving those. We keep ending up in human courts, and we need proper legal representation. The shifter council accepted only twenty applicants from all the different species. I scored in the highest percentile. That means my education is fully funded. My goal is to specialize in representing the monarchies. Especially the dragons. They are among the few who still have to stay hidden. I want to help them adjust. I want to help them interact with the other species. All day, my parents and I have been preparing for tonight. Decorating. Coordinating with caterers. Setting up vendor stalls. I just finished showing the photographer and videographer their positions. Sophia's voice screeched in my head through the mindlink. Even her mental voice is whiny. It sounds like nails on a chalkboard. Where is my dress?! I told you to get it steamed and bring it back! I only have an hour to get ready! First of all, I dropped your dress off as a favor. Anything beyond that is your responsibility. If you're not ready on time, that's not my problem. I am going to be your Luna! You will do as I say! Bring me my dress! Again, first, you are not my Luna. Second, I am not your servant, your highness. Get your own damn dress! Mom! Make Ava bring my dress to me! My mother's voice called from downstairs. "Ava! Take your sister's dress to her. She needs to get ready." I walked in from the patio. I looked at Mom. "No," I said, then turned and went back to my task. My mother snapped. "Why do you always have to be so difficult? Your sister needs your help. It would take two minutes!" I grunted. "And why do you always jump to fulfill her every demand? She's eighteen. She's not helpless. If it only takes two minutes, she is perfectly capable of getting the dress herself. With her, I honestly feel like a servant." My father snapped at me to apologize to my mother and take the dress to Sophia. I rolled my eyes. I refused to apologize, but I did go get the dress. There's only so much defiance this family will tolerate from me. I walked into Sophia's room. I hung the dress on her closet door just as she emerged from the bathroom. "Good! You're here. I see telling Daddy made you obey. Now, I need you to do my hair. Or do I have to get Daddy's attention again?" I smirked. "I used to think you'd outgrow this mean girl act. I actually hoped you might learn to be a decent person. But no. Even your wolf is rotten to the core." She screeched. "You've always been jealous of me! Why? Because I'm prettier? More popular? Older? What is it, Ava? What?" I doubled over laughing. I gripped her shoulders and spun her to face the mirror. "Prettier? We're identical twins, you idiot. More popular? My friends aren't followers. They don't fear me. Older? By one minute and thirty-seven seconds? And jealous? Of what, Sophia?" Mom barged into the room. "Ava Rose! Stop irritating your sister this instant! She asks very little of you. The least you can do is be supportive on her big day! I don't know what's gotten into you! Now, fix her hair like she asked while I do her makeup!" I grinned. "You're so right, dearest mother. She doesn't ask. She demands. And I irritate her? That's rich. Heaven forbid I ever ruffle the feathers of the family's golden goose. Her 'Big Day' consists of stealing a title that isn't rightfully hers. She's depriving not one, but two beings of their other half. Their soulmates. The Goddess's doctrine says we must never violate her edicts. Yet this entire pack is fine with falling out of her favor by doing exactly that! Forgive me for not condoning that behavior." I finally entered my own room nearly an hour later. I was running late because I'd just finished with my sister. I jumped into a quick shower. I got my own gown on. I quickly braided two thin sections of my silver hair, pulling them back and securing them with a jeweled clip. I applied a little makeup and was just leaving my room. From downstairs, I heard my brother yell. "Where's my favorite sister? I want to see her smiling face!" Sophia giggled. "I'm right here, silly!" William replied, "I know you're here, Sophia! I meant Ava! And you know it!" My whole face lit up with a huge grin. I raced for the stairs. I faltered when I heard my mother's voice snidely remark, "You know your youngest daughter. Always dawdling." I frowned. No matter how hard I try, I will always be the extra. The unexpected child. Yet, here I am. I skipped down the stairs, eager to hug my brother. The only one who has ever truly understood me. My hero. I yelled, "William!" and leaped the last five steps into his arms. He caught me and spun me around. "I've missed this face, little bit! Let me look at you!" He set me on my feet and twirled me. He whistled low. "You... are an absolute beauty, Ava." I smiled and kissed his cheek. He turned me around to greet Benjamin. Our eyes met. My wolf, Isla, whispered a single word in my mind. Mate. No. No! No! He turned and grabbed Sophia's hand. He walked away with her. I collapsed into William's arms. And the dam burst. Chapter 2 Caleb whispered, "What just happened, baby girl?" I shook my head violently. He led me outside to the far side of the garden. "Talk to me, Ava!" I dried my tears and tried to smile. "My mate will be pledging himself to my sister in a couple of hours. How's that for irony? I was just preaching to her about true mates. I never realized the other half of a soul she was stealing would be mine!" He dried my cheeks. "Benjamin is an honorable man, sis. He'll do the right thing. I'm sure he's explaining everything to Sophia right now. She'll understand. Everything will be okay." I shook my head and chuckled. "Bet you fifty bucks I'm rejected within the hour!" He groaned. "You and your betting! I'll take that bet. I know my best friend. Easiest fifty bucks I've ever made." I laughed at him. We walked back inside. Our father was waiting for us. "The Alpha wants us in his office. This is a mess. Why can't anything be easy with you, Ava?" I rolled my eyes and linked Caleb. Still think you're winning the bet? Caleb spoke up. "How, exactly, is this Ava's fault, Dad? The Goddess chooses mates. Sophia is the one who overstepped!" My father snapped that this wasn't Caleb's decision. We followed the Alpha. Entering the office, they all sat there. Alpha Henry. Luna Charlotte. My mother. And Benjamin. With Sophia in his lap, consoling her tears. Isla whined deep within me, and my heart ached. I comforted her. We are stronger than this. We are bigger than this pain. I sat beside Caleb. He took my hand. My father plopped down beside my mother. Alpha Henry spoke. "Well, this is an unfortunate turn of events. Ava, I'm sure you understand the significance. As the second-born daughter of a Beta, it's only logical the first daughter be the mate of the Alpha. Benjamin and Sophia love each other. They've been together for years. This... wrinkle cannot be allowed to disrupt their plans." Caleb squeezed my hand as I began to shake. I asked, "So, I am once again expected to step aside? Take a backseat to the 'whatever Sophia wants, Sophia gets' dog and pony show?" Caleb squeezed my hand harder. He knew I was about to say something I couldn't take back. Sophia screeched. "You've always wanted what I have, Ava! All our lives, you've made everything about you!" I burst out laughing. "Are you serious? Is she serious? I have never wanted what you have! Nothing in our lives has ever been about me! Our birthdays? Not once were they ever what I wanted! I hate pink! Boy bands are for cheerleaders! Rainbow confetti cakes are disgusting! Have I ever complained? The only person in this entire pack who ever gave a damn about me is my brother! I learned long ago I was just the extra kid. Not the bonus kid. Not the youngest. I was the throwaway. The one nobody needed or wanted! So, if I was called here to be rejected by a coward, then let's do this!" Benjamin coughed. He stuttered. "I'm not rejecting you. Alexander would weaken. But I love Sophia. I need you both." Caleb growled. "What the hell, man? No! That's not how this works! You don't get to do this to my baby sister!" Dad snarled. "Stand down, Caleb! This doesn't concern you! This is between Benjamin and the girls!" Caleb growled back. "You're okay with this bullshit? You're okay with the Alpha screwing one daughter while causing excruciating pain to the other? What kind of parent are you? My Goddess! I have never been so ashamed to be a member of this family as I am right now!" Alpha Henry roared. "Enough! This is Benjamin's decision! He will mate and mark Sophia at the ceremony tonight. And Ava will do her duty to the pack!" I gasped. Caleb was already shaking his head, ready to say more. I stood. "I will not! Benjamin, by accepting Sophia as your chosen, you are rejecting Isla and me. Therefore, I, Ava Rose Fairsprene, reject you, Alpha Benjamin Robert Kalmien of Silverwood Pack, as my mate. Now and forever!" Benjamin grabbed his chest and fell to his knees. He moaned, "No!" My mother slapped me. She screamed, "You ungrateful child! Everything has to be your way, all the time!" Even though the ache in my chest was stealing my breath, I spoke clearly. "Never lay hands on me again. I follow the Goddess's doctrine. And by this pack not doing so, I pray you do not bring her wrath down upon your heads." I turned to go. Alpha Henry said, "You are hereby banished from Silverwood Pack. This is no longer your home. You have twenty-four hours to vacate my territory." I muttered, "So be it." I walked out. I went straight to my room and started packing. I would simply head to the university campus two weeks early. I kept telling Isla how sorry I was. She assured me it was our only option. She was whining, but she whispered, We will be fine. We are strong. The Goddess is on our side. We are adhering to her teachings. We will not be the ones with regrets. I smiled. Okay, I wasn't a cheerleader. But Isla is. I went through everything I wanted to take. I took nothing that would remind me of my parents' betrayal. My birth certificate would remain. I am legally changing my name to my grandmother's maiden name. My mother's mother was Gabriella Heartsong of the Alaskan Heartsong pack. She was the only person, besides Caleb, who knew my struggles. She knew my pain. From now on, I will put myself first. I will become the person I was meant to be. My opinions matter. Chapter 3 William's POV I watched my baby sister walk out the door. My heart felt like a stone in my chest. I looked at every person in that room. One by one. Then I spoke. "Is this what our pack has become?" "Have we abandoned true mates for what we think is a better option?" "If that's the case... I'm questioning everything I ever believed about us." My father's voice was sharp. "William! You know Ava is not Luna material!" "Sophia has been trained for three years to stand at Benjamin's side!" "She is the perfect Luna!" I let out a bitter laugh. "I know nothing of the sort!" "What I do know is that Ava is intelligent." "She has integrity." "She has strength." "She is a loving, giving woman who has done everything to be the daughter you wanted." "She has struggled her entire life just to be seen by her parents as their child!" "To be seen as someone of value to this pack!" "But no!" "What I see is a family determined to keep her in her twin's shadow!" "A shallow, self-absorbed, entitled brat who bullied her!" "Who put her down and mocked her for her entire existence!" "And all of it was encouraged by the very people who created Ava!" Sophia shrieked. "She tried to take Benjamin from me!" "She wanted to steal my happiness!" "To make me suffer!" "You're my brother!" "You're supposed to be on MY side!" "Instead, you think it's fine for her to steal my mate!" I stared at her. My eyes wide with disbelief. "Do you even hear the nonsense coming out of your mouth, you spoiled little witch?" "She can't steal your mate!" "YOU don't have one!" "YOU stole HERS!" "Your ego is beyond belief!" "I am your brother!" "But I am Ava's brother, too!" "Every single one of you has forgotten that!" "Just like you forgot she is your sister!" "And you both forgot she was your daughter!" "She's right." "She has always been the disposable one." "I am so ashamed of everyone in this room." Benjamin spoke for the first time. "So where does that leave us, William?" "You are my best friend." "Closer than a brother to me, our whole lives." "I didn't know Ava would turn out to be my mate." "There was no way I could choose." "My wolf wants his mate..." "But I want Sophia." "I shouldn't have to choose!" I shook my head. "There shouldn't have been a choice, Benjamin." "You should have told Sophia you were going to accept your mate." "Sophia should have understood." "My parents should have shared a happy, proud moment with their youngest child." "Our Alpha and Luna should have encouraged you to accept your Goddess-given gift!" "Those are the only 'shoulds' that should have happened!" "Instead..." "We have a chosen mating." "That sees my baby sister banished." "And not a single one of you seems concerned about how far we've fallen as a pack!" "What about you, Luna Charlotte?" "You haven't said a word!" "I actually believed you cared about Ava." "Seems I was wrong about that, too." Alpha Henry's voice held a warning. "Watch your tone, boy!" "I will not be disrespected!" I scoffed. "Or what?" "You'll banish me, too?" Benjamin yelled. "NO! That's enough!" Luna Charlotte spoke softly. "William... I care deeply for Ava." "I would have been so proud to see her become Luna of this pack." "It is her birthright." "And she would have been an incredible Luna." "Oh, the changes she would have made!" "But... in this... as in all things..." "I must bow to the demands of my Alpha." Alpha Henry snapped. "Why didn't you speak up then?" "Here you sit, praising all of Ava's virtues..." "While you sat silently when she was here." She sneered. "I was TOLD to keep my mouth shut!" "Do you not remember?" He, at least, had the decency to look ashamed. I spoke quietly. "I don't know how to deal with this." "Every instinct tells me to follow my sister out of this pack." "My sense of duty holds me back." "One thing I do know..." "I am deeply ashamed of my family." "What should have been a happy occasion..." "My homecoming." "My ascension to Beta." "It all pales compared to the grief I feel." "No matter what happens after this, I lose something very dear to me." "I am disgusted." "And as I said, ashamed!" "I am going to spend time with my sister!" "You people do what you want!" And I walked out. I found Ava in her room. Burning photographs. Only keeping the ones with me in them. Tears streamed down her cheeks. I lifted her up. I sat down on the chair. I held her in my lap. My heart shattered further as her sobs echoed through the room. I said, "I'm not bothering to unpack my suitcases." "I'm going with you." "Wherever you go." Her throat caught on a sob. "No, William! Absolutely not!" "You are a strong man." "An Alpha-born Beta!" "This pack is going to need you." "Desperately." "Benjamin is a weak Alpha." "Your strength surpasses his own!" "You are even stronger than Dad." "Without you, Silverwood will fall!" "I know it." "And you know it!" I shrugged. "I don't want to be here without you." "It won't feel the same." "It won't be my home." Again, she shook her head. "I said no!" "They need you!" "I will be okay." "I emailed the council." "They've already responded." "I told them everything." "Full disclosure." "They've granted me lone wolf status." "I'll only be forty-five minutes away, at university." "For the next two years." "We will FaceTime." "And text." "And you can come see me." "Every weekend, if you want." "You are the only family I have, William!" "I need to know you're following your dreams!" My little sister. Everyone always comes before her. I replied, "Will you watch my ceremony?" She shook her head again. "I won't be allowed, Bubba." "I am no longer part of this pack." "The Alpha made sure of that." "I have no bond." "I'll watch from the window, though." "I promise." As I stood to leave, Mom and Dad walked in. Alexander growled deep in my chest. I stood protectively in front of my sister. Dad said, "Stand down, boy." "We've only come to say our goodbyes." Ava laughed. "Don't bother." "You've never thought of me as your daughter." "Saying goodbye is an empty gesture." Mom snapped. "You have always been such an ungrateful child!" And Ava laughed again. I asked, "What does she have to be grateful for, Mother?" "When has she ever been treated as anything more than hired help?" "Go!" "Be with your golden child." "I should say... your only child." "Because I disown you to wallow in your shame!" "Just as you have treated my sister..." "So shall I treat you." I shoved past them. To attend a ceremony that held little meaning for me anymore. As I said my oath of office... The oath I would try to uphold... I listened to my baby sister's screams of agony. They came after the marking of Sophia. I looked out at the pack. I said, "Those agonizing screams?" "That is the pain of a true mate." "Feeling her mate mark an unworthy chosen one." I shifted into Alexander. And I ran. I need to think. Chapter 4 I walk across the stage. My diploma is placed in my hand. The weight of it feels real. I did it. I graduated. Valedictorian. Top of the class. Dean's list every semester. All of it, mine. A fierce pride burns in my chest. For twenty-four months, I pushed. I achieved. I conquered. Now, I stand here. After my speech, I rush from the crowd. I need to find him. William. I spot him with a group of my friends. I run. He catches me. His arms lift me, spinning me around. Laughter bubbles out of me as he covers my face in kisses. "I am so proud of you!" he says, his voice thick with emotion. "You are going to do incredible things!" We leave for dinner. An exclusive restaurant, one town over from Silverwood. William has to return tonight. He gives his name at the host stand. We are seated immediately. Drinks are ordered. He looks at me, a familiar question in his eyes. "Kept up with your training?" I grin. "Of course. I bet I could give you a real challenge now." He chuckles, shaking his head. "Always betting." The server takes our dinner order. I lean forward. "How are things? I know I'm not pack anymore. But I still worry. Most of them mean a lot to me." He smiles softly. "I know they do. Not a day goes by without someone asking about you. Luna Charlotte asks every day. Covertly, of course. The pack... it's a mess, Ava. You were right about Benjamin. A weak Alpha. It's like following a toddler. Constantly cleaning up his messes. He burns through pack funds. Keeping Sophia in the luxury she demands. Delusions of grandeur. You called it. It's only a matter of time. But tell me! Which offer did you take?" My smile widens. I am proud. So many packs, different species, sought my counsel. One stood out. After a month of deliberation, my choice was made. "I accepted the Drakonhold Pack," I tell him. "In Alaska. Only twenty miles from Grandma's old pack, Heartsong. I'm thrilled. They paid a four-hundred-thousand retainer for the next two years. So many pending cases. Land rights. Mineral rights. Natural gas. Oil. I'm going to be a very busy woman. Gotta earn my keep!" He lets out a low whistle. "Holy hell! When will I see you? I refuse to go more than six months without my hugs!" I take his hand. "I'll be in the lower forty-eight often for hearings. Council headquarters. We can meet then. Okay?" He nods vigorously. "I can live with that. I can't tell you how proud I am, Ava. You overcame so much. Against all odds, you healed. You moved forward. I know it wasn't easy. I admire your strength." I grin, though the memory aches. "You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have left. I worry about Alexander, William. Tell him I'm sorry. Tell him he needs to be strong, too." He shakes his head. "My little sister. Always caring. Always worrying about everyone else. I love you, peanut. You know that, right?" I smile. "Not everyone, Bubba. You. The pack. Alexander. Everyone else can kiss my ass if they can catch it flying by." He laughs and pulls me into a tight hug. We say our goodbyes. He leaves for home. I get in my car. I drive away. Toward my new tomorrow. William's POV I arrive home to chaos. I walk through the door. Sophia screams at me. "Where have you been? What kind of Beta deserts his pack when Alpha Sebastian is due to arrive in the morning?!" I shrug. "My sister graduated today. There was no way I would miss that. For your information, everything for the Alpha's visit has been ready for three days. It's your job as Luna to make the arrangements. As you are well aware. But no. You prefer to play princess. Dress in your slutty clothes. Take all the credit. As usual. You should thank the Goddess for the talented staff in this pack house. Though I doubt she'd listen to you." I walk into Benjamin's office. He is brooding. Again. I pour a glass of bourbon. I sit across from him. I wait. He finally speaks. "Where did you go?" I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Benjamin. For two weeks. Two weeks! You knew my sister was graduating Summa Cum Laude today. She was Valedictorian. There was no fucking way I was missing her speech. Or her big day." He sneers. "Yeah? Well, you have another sister falling apart trying to get everything ready for the Alpha's visit tomorrow! She needed her big brother's help!" I laugh, a harsh sound. "First, I only have one sister. Second, I don't know what bullshit smoke screen Sophia is feeding you, but everything for Alpha Sebastian's visit was done three days ago. Your mate is utterly useless at arranging anything for this pack. It always falls to me. Or the staff. Or your mother. Two fucking years, Benjamin. And she's still useless. But you can't see past your own dick to realize it." He tries to snarl. It comes out as a whine. "Your family needs you present, William! Sophia needs to know you care! You have to get over Ava. She isn't even pack anymore! Her life is not your business!" I do snarl. "MY sister is a successful attorney. Working for the Drakonhold Pack. And she knows exactly how much I love her. I disowned Sophia and her parents the day they decided my sister didn't matter. I am only Beta because Ava made me promise to be here for Alexander! Not for you! Your wolf! You don't get it. You have no clue how destroyed she was. You didn't even care that she was in such agony her last night here. Such excruciating pain that Isla nearly clawed her to death to make it stop. So don't give me that 'poor Sophia' bullshit. The two of you nearly killed my sister." He mutters, looking at the floor. "I didn't know. I thought since she rejected me... she wouldn't feel it. I swear, William. I didn't know." I scoff. "Again. Bullshit. You didn't accept the rejection until the next day. You did it deliberately. Maliciously. You fucking knew, Benjamin. Even you aren't that ignorant." I storm out. I go to the study. I pour another bourbon. I sit and text Ava to make sure she stopped for the night. She texts back. She has. She'll FaceTime after her shower. I look up as Liam walks in. My ex-father. "Son, may I speak with you?" I shrug. "Sure. But I'm William. Not 'Son.'" He sighs and sits across from me. "Your mother and I... okay. Olivia and I. We want to know what we can do to earn your forgiveness. Our family has been fractured for two years. It's destroying us. We can't continue this way. The pack is talking." I chuckle. "Seriously? Fractured? That shit is broken, Liam. You ask what you can do. I doubt there's anything. Can you turn back time? Can you undo the past twenty years? Accept that you had twin daughters and treat them equally? Can you erase the night I nearly lost my sister as she bled out on the floor of a room she was no longer welcome in? All because her wolf didn't want to survive the loss of her mate? Get back to me when you can change the past. When you can make it right." Chapter 5 William's POV I stand on the steps, to Benjamin's right. His Luna stands on his left. She's wearing a skin-tight, neon green spandex dress that barely covers her rear. Six-inch heels complete the look. Alexander sneers internally. She looks more like she belongs on a street corner than in a Luna's role. I choke on my own spit. Goddess, give me strength. We watch as Alpha Sebastian arrives with his entourage. He's been traveling between packs, searching for his mate. We are the third stop on his list of eight. This should be interesting. He steps out from the passenger side of the car. Holy hell. He has to be at least six-foot-nine, and built like a fortress. Damn. Not someone I ever want to anger. His eyes lock onto Sophia. They roam up and down her body. Then he walks straight toward us. Benjamin steps forward. "Alpha Sebastian. I am Alpha Benjamin Kalmien. My Beta, William Fairsprene, and my mate, Sophia Fairsprene-Kalmien." He shakes Benjamin's hand. He turns to me. "Fairsprene? That is not only the name of my neighboring pack, but also the name of a promising young attorney I recently hired to handle my legal affairs." I smile and nod. "Yes. My sister, Ava. You will be very pleased with her work." He nods back. Then he turns to Sophia. She just has to open her mouth. "He's my brother too. But because Ava was banished for being difficult, he refuses to acknowledge her. She was my twin!" He raises an eyebrow. "Was your twin? Is she not still your twin? And what is this about banishment? Should I be concerned?" Benjamin clears his throat. "Perhaps this is a matter better discussed in private?" Sebastian hums. "Yes. After lunch, perhaps. I would like to freshen up. This is my Beta, Ethan, and my Gamma, Daniel." We all shake hands. Sophia titters and offers to show them to their rooms. Sebastian stops her. "An Omega will suffice." I nearly laugh out loud. This is too perfect. I head to the office and prepare a beverage tray. Bourbon, scotch, cognac. I don't know the Alpha's preference. Benjamin comes in. "That is a massive man. When I tell him about your sister, I will accept no interruptions." I chuckle. "If you think I will sit quietly while you slander Ava, you are mistaken, Benjamin. She is the only innocent one in this whole mess." He growls. "Maybe it's best if you sit this one out. I intend to tell him only that she refused to follow pack protocol." I snap. "Which is a lie! She followed protocol. She followed the Goddess's edicts. We both know she was banished for having the courage to do what you lacked the strength to do. Damn it, Benjamin! You didn't even want to accept the rejection. You wanted her to stay and be tortured daily while you were with your chosen mate." He snarls. "Get out! Get the hell out now!" I grin. "With pleasure, Alpha." As I close the door, I hear things crashing against the walls, the door, the floor. Oh, he's having a tantrum. Excellent. I round the corner and nearly bump into Ethan, the Beta from Sebastian's pack. I grin. "Hey, man. Want to join me for a beer?" He nods and smiles. We grab our beers and sit. "I want to tell you about my sister. The reason is, I doubt my Alpha will want me present when he tells your Alpha what happened. We have different versions of the story." Ethan grins widely. "Is it dramatic? Please tell me it's full of drama. This trip has been so dull. I need some excitement." I grin. "Then buckle up. It's as dramatic as it gets." I tell him everything. Starting with how our family always treated her. Benjamin and Sophia dating. Ava's near-death the night before she left. I finish with, "Benjamin finally rejected her the next morning, as she was getting into her Jeep to drive away." He whistles low. "Damn, brother. That's bad. Really bad. How are you still his Beta?" I shrug. "Ava made me promise. She told me she knew Benjamin would be a weak Alpha, and it would break her heart if the pack fell apart. I fear it might happen anyway." He sighs. "Yeah. That's tough. Your sister sounds like a good person. I'm sorry that happened to her. No one should feel that pain. What was your Alpha thinking? How could her own family do that? How did you turn out so normal?" I laugh. "Normal? That's a stretch. Ava gets credit for any normalcy I have. She kept me sane. She was a breath of fresh air. Our family has a way of sucking the air out of a room. Their golden girl has taken up the torch in their absence." He laughs. "Yeah. I can see that. She was definitely underdressed for greeting a visiting Alpha. To be honest, I was a little shocked. Not something you see a Luna wearing daily, that's for sure." I laugh loudly. "Wait until dinner. If you thought that was shocking, that was one of her more conservative outfits." He shivers. "Oh, Goddess. Something to look forward to." We talk a while longer. Ethan is a really great guy. I tell him I'm happy to have met him. He grins. "Me too, man. We'll see more of each other. Your sister will be with us for a while." We stand. It's lunchtime. We head to the dining hall together. He stops. "Holy shit. What is she wearing?" I crack up. She has on a tiny pleated skirt, platform shoes, and a halter top. Alexander snarks. Maybe we need to pave the driveway. We need a street for her to walk. Again, I choke on my own spit. Chapter 6 Sebastian Roscente's POV This entire trip has been a colossal waste of my time. This pack? A monumental disappointment. The only person here even remotely worth speaking to is that Beta, William. My only consolation is that I've decided to leave tomorrow. I linked my Beta. Ethan. Where the hell are you? Having quite the chat with the Beta. He's a good man, Sebastian. Seems a bit disillusioned with his Alpha. I'll fill you in later. Just get me through this lunch. And the rest of this godforsaken day. Heard you, Alpha. Shut it. I met Ethan and Beta William, heading into the dining hall. I muttered under my breath, "What in the Goddess's name is she wearing?" Both Ethan and William chuckled. I shot them a sideways glance. Ethan shrugged. "William and I were just discussing the Luna's... unique fashion sense." I scanned the room. "Where's Daniel? Why is he always late? Every single time. He'll be late to his own funeral, and I'll resurrect him just to kill him myself." William laughed again. "I sent an omega to fetch him." Right then, Daniel came rushing in. His clothes were rumpled, his hair a mess. Ethan said, "Ah. So that's where he was," just as an omega girl slipped in behind him, scurrying to her table. Goddess, give me strength. I barely endured the meal. The Luna chattered incessantly about meaningless nonsense—handbags, matching shoes, trivial gossip. Like I said. I barely made it. Now, I'm sitting in the Alpha's office, nursing a glass of whiskey. I'm waiting to hear this story about a banishment for nonconformity. It's only Alpha Benjamin here, which I find odd. But I'm holding my tongue for now. Benjamin hasn't yet broached the subject I want to hear about. So I cut him off. "Alpha, I'm sure all that is fascinating. But I'm more interested in the banishment of my new attorney." He clears his throat. Says yes. Clears it again. That almost always means I'm about to hear a load of bullshit that won't fly. He begins. "Ava was born into this pack. Well... I started courting Sophia—my Luna—five years ago. When I returned home two years back from Alpha training, I had decided to claim her as my chosen. The night of my ascension, which was just a few hours away. Ava disagreed. Because Sophia wasn't my true mate. And Ava is nothing if not a traditionalist. She believes in the Goddess's doctrine. Thinks we should settle for nothing less. Her disrespect to my father was... extreme. And he banished her for it. She couldn't accept my choices and argued with my father about them." I sat there. For what felt like an eternity. Two minutes. Maybe forty-five seconds. I don't know. I asked, "That's it? That's all? She was banished for questioning her Alpha's choice to defy the Goddess's will? A Beta-born woman? Banished for expressing an opinion? Let me get this straight. Your father banished her for voicing her thoughts about you taking a chosen? Had you found your mate? Had your Luna found hers?" He shook his head. "No. We both simply decided to be each other's chosen." Okay. I'm not getting it. What am I missing? I asked again, "So. The two of you decided. That you would deprive two other souls of their other halves. Without knowing. Without even caring about the damage this might cause your true mates. And you banished her twin sister for feeling the way nearly everyone else feels? Made her rogue?" He said, "Putting it that way... it sounds bad. But it was a mutual decision. We were content with it." Ethan linked me, asking where his Beta was. So I asked, "Why is your Beta not here? I'd like to hear his perspective on this." He clears his throat again. "William and I don't quite see eye-to-eye on this matter. So I volunteered to relay the information." I nod. Hmm. Something doesn't sit right. Something just doesn't add up. "Did you fight for the girl to stay? I mean, you could have lifted the banishment that same night, couldn't you? You were Alpha not even three hours after your father gave the order. So?" His reply was indignant. "I would never override an Alpha's orders. Especially not my own father's!" I said, "I would say I see. But I don't. Not really. What I actually see is piss-poor leadership. Leadership that could have easily cost the life of your Luna's own twin sister. But. Okay. I will induct her into my pack. And be grateful for her expertise in handling my legal affairs. I just hope what you've told me isn't a lie." I asked, "Do you mind if my men and I go for a run? Donnagh feels the need to stretch his legs." He stood. "I will join you." Nodding, I growled, "Suit yourself. I'd request your Beta joins as well. Ethan and he have connected." We ran for a few hours. Truth be told, Silverwood territory is beautiful. Unfortunately, its leaders are not. I shifted back from Donnagh and pulled on sweats, heading for a shower. After dinner, we said our goodnights. I told them I wanted an early start in the morning. I told Ethan to bring William to my rooms. I wanted to talk to him. He came in. I poured us drinks. I smiled. "Your Alpha told me the two of you didn't quite agree on the circumstances behind your sister's banishment. I'd like to hear your version of events." By the time he finished, I felt my eyes burning. I could taste smoke. Looking at him, I said, "A little something I don't share with many. I am a hybrid. My other half is dragon. His name is Donnagh. And he's a tad furious right now. Bear with me while I talk him down. Oh. And William? Make sure your Alpha. His Luna. Her parents and his are on the front steps tomorrow morning when I take my leave. I think you'll enjoy the follow-through." He nodded, saying goodnight. The next morning, Ethan waltzed through my door. "Good times?" I grinned. "Great times. Let's get a little payback for the banished True Luna, shall we?" I walked out the front door. Noting William had done as I asked, I shot him a wink. Benjamin introduced his parents, and his Luna's parents. I was polite. I shook everyone's hand. When I got to Benjamin, I said, "I would say it's been a pleasure. But I'm not a liar." I stepped off the porch and started toward the cars. I stopped. Turned around. I grinned and said, "Oh. One more thing. Sophia. I, Sebastian Roscente, Alpha of the Drakonhold Pack. King of Dragons. Reject you, Sophia Fairsprene-Kalmien, as my true mate, my Luna, and my Queen. Accept it." They all stood there, gaping. While William sat, holding his sides, roaring with laughter. I roared, "Accept it! NOW!" She mumbled, "I accept," and rejected me back. As I was getting into my car, I heard her scream. "My true mate is a fucking king?! I hate you all!"

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