Chapter 1

On my birthday, Sean, the Alpha of Black Pack, was once again summoned away by his adopted daughter Lila.

Furious, I posted a declaration on the werewolf forum:

"The best birthday gift Sean gave me is his promise that I'll become the Luna of Black Pack this year."

The next second, a provocative message from Lila popped up.

It was a sex tape of Lila and Sean.

In the video, all the buttons on her clothes had been violently torn open.

Beneath her disheveled garments, glaring hickeys trailed down from her collarbone.

And the broad-shouldered figure of the man on top of her—I could recognize him with my eyes closed.

Below the video was a caption:

"I gave my first time to my beloved Sean."

My phone screen froze on Lila's provocative video.

Behind the frosted glass, Sean's silhouette in the shower pierced my heart like a thorn.

On my 29th birthday, Sean left me alone in an empty villa and took his adopted daughter to a hotel.

Looking at the post I'd made half an hour ago—visible only to him—I felt nothing but bitter irony.

Unwillingness sprouted wildly in my chest like weeds. I grabbed my car keys and rushed out the door.

His assistant said he was at the golf course today, playing with several Pack Alphas.

I needed to ask him face-to-face what these ten years had meant.

The golf course lawn was scorching hot. The caddy was about to announce my arrival when I raised my hand to stop him.

I wanted to see how he'd explain today's events in front of his brothers.

I'd just walked behind the palm trees near the rest area when Sean's voice drifted over, grating on my nerves:

"I'm done with this hole. Lila just messaged saying she's awake at the hotel and wants me to come back for brunch with her."

The Alphas playing with him burst into laughter. One of them slapped the table and teased:

"Sean's got eyes for no one but his adopted daughter these days.

Last time we played, he took one call from Lila, dropped his club, and left. We were all stunned."

Another chimed in: "Speaking of which, Lila's really blossomed into a beauty—tiny waist, long legs. Don't tell me you're not tempted, seeing her every day?"

"Tempted?" His tone dripped with undisguised pride. He leaned back in his chair with a lazy, arrogant posture.

"More than tempted. I took her virginity. She gave herself to me on her coming-of-age night."

As his words landed, the Alphas erupted in laughter, exchanging knowing glances.

"Way to go, Sean! You know how to play it! Raised a girl for over a decade and made her yours in the end!"

"I raised her all these years—what's wrong with collecting a little interest?" Sean scoffed, his tone matter-of-fact. "Besides, her father died saving me back then. I owe her that much. Better she gives her first time to me than to some rogue or inferior Alpha out there."

Casual words, making his immoral possession sound like a grand favor.

Someone laughed and added: "Aren't you worried Elara will find out? Last time I saw her, she looked terrible. She's probably sensed something."

At the mention of me, Sean's tone turned cold, laced with undisguised disgust and impatience:

"Her? What can she do even if she finds out? She's nearly thirty, an Omega with no parents, no pack. Without me, she doesn't even have a place to live. Does she dare make a scene?"

He paused, as if remembering something, and scoffed with contempt:

"Besides, who knows if she's even clean? Ten years ago, she was in that alley with three rogue wolves for so long, her clothes all torn. Who knows what happened? I'm being generous by keeping her around. She should be grateful."

"Lila's better," he said, swirling his strawberry milkshake. His tone softened with a tenderness I'd never heard from him.

"She grew up by my side. I know everything about her. She's clean and well-behaved. She doesn't nag me all day like Elara does. So damn annoying."

The Alphas chimed in one after another:

"Exactly! A home-raised Omega is way better than a wild one! Clean and obedient!"

"Elara's so ungrateful. An Alpha willing to take her in is generous enough, and she still tries to control everything!"

"If you ask me, Alpha, you should've dumped her long ago. Marry Lila—you'll also win over her father's old subordinates. Two birds with one stone!"

Sean impatiently cut off the conversation, his tone suggesting even mentioning me was a mood-killer:

"Enough, enough. Stop bringing her up. Why even talk about her?"

"Let's keep playing. Lila's driving over to pick me up later. Don't want to keep her waiting."