James Pov

　　"Your stupid plan didn't work, you idiot," Michael declares angrily, delivering a violent punch to the punching bag in the gym. His face is red with rage, and the impact of the punch echoes through the empty room, intensifying the already tense atmosphere.

　　My breath is fast because of the treadmill I'm running on at its highest level. I'm almost reaching the fifty-kilometer mark when Michael bursts into the gym, radiating frustration. I can feel every beat of my heart reverberate in my ears.

　　I slow down the treadmill until it comes to a complete stop. What stupid thing did my sister do now? Michael became obsessed with her after his sister's resurrection from the dead.

　　I don't know what the big deal is with Emma; she's not even part of our wolf pack anymore. She created a new one that doesn't seem as impressive and good as ours. Michael deserves a much better mate than my pathetic sister.

　　"What happened, Michael?" I ask with genuine concern, stepping off the treadmill. I feel the cold floor under my bare feet, running barefoot helps me maintain my human form and also mitigates the impact when I'm transformed into a werewolf. The contrast of the heat emanating from my now euphoric body with the cold floor sends a shiver down my spine.

　　Michael is frustrated, and I feel it's my fault. But I need to know first what my stupid sister did.

　　"I invited her to dinner, as you suggested. I used the pretext of her new wolf pack and pretended to be an alpha looking for an alliance. But when she arrived at the restaurant, she didn't even give me a chance to talk," Michael recounts irritably, delivering another punch to the punching bag. "She just walked away, leaving me talking to myself."

　　I feel my sweat trickle down from my forehead to my neck and then down my back. I grab my tank top, which was hanging on the treadmill, and wipe my face with it. The gym is empty; it's just Michael and me. The smell of leather and metal mixes with the bittersweet smell of sweat. I let out a frustrated sigh at my future alpha's report.

　　"You didn't even get to give her the bouquet of flowers she likes?" I ask curiously, and Michael looks at me aggressively with his blue eyes.

　　"What part of 'she left me talking to myself' are you having trouble understanding, James?" Michael retorts sharply, and I raise my hands in defense.

　　"Sorry, man, I'm just trying to understand exactly what happened. It should have worked, you know Emma as well as I do. She used to love that romantic dinner crap, flowers. Damn, you dated her for a while," I retort quickly.

　　"Yes, but your sister has changed now. I want to make it up to her for saving Ava, after all the things I've done to her, the harsh words I said," Michael responds regretfully, his tone lowering, and I notice he avoids looking me in the eyes.

　　"Man, you did nothing wrong. It wasn't your fault what happened. Emma was drunk that night your sister was murdered, well... we thought it was your sister. We all did, your reaction was normal," I put my hand on Michael's shoulder, trying to comfort him. The texture of his warm, tense skin under my hand is a clear reminder of the strength contained in his body. Michael will be a strong alpha when he takes his father's position.

　　Emma is an innocent girl who doesn't know the great opportunity she's missing by refusing to get back with Michael. Being Luna of the Moonshadow Pack is an honor, a privilege. And she's wasting it by being the alpha of a new wolf pack? Emma barely has any money and lacks any talent for leading anyone. Women don't have what it takes to be an alpha. It's a man's job, for us to lead.

　　Michael abruptly shakes off my touch on his shoulder. His pale face is loaded with frustration, which irritates me even more about my sister.

　　"My sister, Emma, is childish sometimes, Michael, you know that. She must still be brooding over things that have already been resolved. Instead of being happy that you want her back, Emma wants to prove she can live well on her own. But we both know she won't survive being the leader of a wolf pack," I comment sarcastically, feeling the bitterness of the situation weigh in the air.

　　"Yes. She will end up getting hurt if she stays away from me, from our wolf pack. She belongs to me, James. She was given to me by the moon goddess herself as my mate," Michael declares decisively, his voice filled with vitality. "No matter what, I will have Emma back. And you," Michael points a finger at me, his eyes gaining an intense glow, "you will continue helping me until I make her mine again."

　　I straighten up, accepting the duty Michael declared for me. I feel my pride swell with the honor of helping my future alpha get what he wants. If he marries Emma, our family's position will become even more important. With me as his future beta and Emma as our Luna, my family will be as powerful as the Davis family.

　　"It will be my pleasure and honor, Michael, to make this happen," I declare with pride. I feel the weight of the responsibility to bring Emma back to Michael as a burning ambition inside me, my chance to prove my true worth and talent. My loyalty will always be to Michael.

　　"Then let's go, tell me how I can get Emma to be mine again," Michael demands urgently, his anxiety visible. I crack my knuckles, thinking of how to devise a new plan.

　　"Maybe it's better if I talk to her," I inform thoughtfully. I start thinking of new strategies to approach my sister, Emma. "Maybe with me, she won't have her guard up so high and will stop to listen."

　　"Okay, James. She listens to you and then what? That won't make her accept me back," Michael argues irritably, his frustration evident. I hold back from letting out an irritated sigh.

　　"I'll talk to some sorcerers and see if I can get a desire potion," I reveal eagerly, and Michael raises an eyebrow at me. I notice the skeptical expression on his face.

　　"What kind of potion is that? I don't think it's cool to mess with that kind of stuff, James. After what they did to my sister, I want the sorcerers dead," Michael declares decisively, his voice filled with hatred and anger.

　　"Relax, man. A desire potion is harmless. It just enhances what the person already feels for someone else. Like I said, Emma is just playing hard to get with you, being a spoiled girl. But we know she likes you, you were declared destined mates, and that doesn't go away without leaving a trace. With the potion, that desires she already felt for you before," I explain eagerly, seeing Michael's eyes sparkle with the plan, "will just reignite even stronger."

　　The gym room becomes a bit smaller as our plan starts to take shape. The decision to use the desired potion might be risky, but to ensure my future alpha Michael's approval, I'm determined to do whatever it takes to bring Emma back to our Moonshadow Pack.