Dominic's Pov

I caught the smell the instant she entered the door—fear, adrenaline, and beneath that, the unmistakable smell of another man. Not just any man. My half-brother.

My wolf raged inside me, rending my self-control. She was *mine*. The contract for the wedding had been inked months previously—a calculated joining of our packs, bound by blood and oath.

And here she was, with the scent of the man who had been trying to take everything from me since the moment our father had brought him into our home.

"She smells like another man," Alexander said behind me.

The Beta, her father, went white. "I swear to you, she's—"

"Silence." I raised my hand, and his mouth shut by itself immediately. The power of an Alpha command. "Alexander, what do you make of this?"

My loyal Beta circled the girl slowly, his eyes stern as he measured the threat. "Charming coincidence," he said warily.

I focused on the girl, Luna. She was small, thinner than I expected, with defiance in her eyes and a fragile look to her. The bruise on her cheek roused my blood to a fury I didn't know I harbored. She was merchandise, a pawn in a larger game. I shouldn't care how she was handled before she arrived in my hands.

And yet.

"I can explain," she started, voice surprisingly calm in front of an Alpha.

"Save your explanations," I cut in, a coldness creeping into my voice. "The question is, what steps ought we to pursue going forward?"

I watched her closely, observing the darkness under her eyes and the tight rigidity of her shoulders.

"The deal stands," I decided. "But the girl will have to know her place."

Her father moved forward, hand already raised. "I'll see to it immediately—"

Alexander beat him to the punch, closing in before the Beta could follow his movement. He wrapped his fingers around her father's wrist. "No," he said, voice gentle with threat. "She's Don Russo's property now. And nobody messes with what's the Crimson Moon's."

Pride swelled my breast. Alexander was my man ever since we'd been boys together—devoted, feral when necessary, and ever so aware of the delicate politics required. He'd read me longer than I sometimes knew myself.

I settled on Luna once more, the girl rooted as a statue, her amber-colored eyes gaping in horror. Not quite the adventurous response to events that I had heard from witnesses.

"Tomorrow is the full moon," I declared, studying her face. "The ceremony will be tonight."

"Tonight?" Luna's voice trembled. "But—"

"Is there an issue?" I raised an eyebrow, confronting her.

Her father leaned closer, his fingers clutching her arm as a caution.

"No problem at all, Don Russo. Luna is flattered by your. enthusiasm."

"I wasn't speaking to you," I said coldly, never once glancing away from Luna. "Well, little wolf? You don’t have a say. Or do you think you have a choice?"

A spark of feelings surfaced in her eyes—acceptance, anguish, and beneath it, a keen intellect that took me by surprise.

"No, Alpha," she finally said, looking away in surrender. "This night is perfect."

"Good." I snapped my fingers, and one of my men stepped forward with a briefcase. "The agreed sum. If you wish to count it."

The Beta's eyes sparkled with greed as he took the case. "That will not be necessary, Don Russo. Your word is enough."

I looked at the man with naked contempt. Selling his own daughter for a briefcase of cash, and not even having the decency to pretend to check the amount. Pathetic.

"We're taking her now," I said, nodding toward Alexander. "Round up the car."

"Yes, Don," Alexander replied, and exited out the front door.

Luna's father coughed. "Could I have a moment alone with my daughter? To say goodbye?"

I looked at the bruises on Luna's arms, the white marks on her neck, and the wariness in her position. "No," I said. "Luna, take whatever you want to bring. One of my men will see you home."

Relief crossed her face, brief but unmistakable. Intriguing. Most brides wept at being taken from their people. This one was anxious to get away.

"Marco," I yelled, and one of my guards stepped forward. "Help Luna gather her things. No one else into her room."

Marco nodded and trailed behind Luna up the stairs as her father seethed in silence. I turned to him once she was out of earshot.

"You've done a horrible job of protecting what was presented to me," I said, my voice ominously low.

The Beta shifted uncomfortably. "She's always been a rebel. Uncontrollable. But I assure you, whatever happened tonight will not happen again."

"You're right enough." I played with my cufflinks, a careless gesture that made him sweat. "It won't happen again because she's no longer your problem."

Footsteps on the stairs announced Luna's return. She carried a tiny bag—pathetically tiny for someone who was leaving home for good. Another telling detail.

"Ready?" I asked, though it was hardly a question.

She nodded, not even looking at her father.

"Say goodbye to your father, Luna," I instructed her, curious about their relationship.

Her eyes flashed briefly to the Beta, without any emotion but caution. "Goodbye," she said in a flat tone.

I placed my hand on the small of her back, leading her toward the door. Her entire body tensed at the touch, but she didn't withdraw. Sleek object.

"I mentioned to your father that Alexander will remain here to finish some loose ends.”

“Business holds significance, you understand."

The Beta couldn’t respond before the door slammed shut behind us. Luna momentarily blinked in confusion, then her eyes widened in understanding.

"You're going to—" she began.

Gunfire echoed from inside the house, powerful and commanding. Three shots. Luna shouted, automatically leaning into my chest. Her little hands clutched my suit, her body trembling as she snuggled close.

A feeling of security and ownership stirred within me. I wrapped my arms around her, one hand stroking her hair and the other keeping her tight. She fit perfectly against my body, as if she were meant for it.

"You're safe now," I whispered softly to her brow, my lips caressing her flesh. "Nobody will ever hurt you again. I am present to protect you."

She slipped into my arms, panting silently and leaning on my chest. I detected her anxiety, but behind it was something deeper—relief, doubt, and a faint hint of yearning.

"Why?" she murmured, her voice near my suit. "You don't truly understand who I am."

I raised her chin, maintaining her gaze with a serious look. "I am adequately informed." "I am someone who safeguards what is mine."

Her amber-colored eyes examined mine, searching for deceit, resilience, any indication of what was to come. I permitted her to look as much as she wished. Let her recognize the truth.

"Let’s head out," I finally said, guiding her to the car that was waiting. "We have many things to accomplish before tonight."

The trip to my estate was tranquil. Luna sat by the window, watching the old world pass by. I studied her features, the rigidity in her shoulders, and the way she stroked her fingers against the sleeve of her blouse.

When we arrived, Alexander reappeared and climbed into the passenger seat close to the driver. A single nod from him communicated all the details I needed. The Beta was no longer a problem.

My mansion sprawled ahead of us, a stronghold disguised as a home. Luna’s eyes grew large as we walked through the gates and beheld the expansive lawns and intimidating stone mansion.

"Welcome to your new place," I announced as the car halted.

The ceremony was short yet significant. Luna stood beside me in the private study, her pen trembling just once before she signed her name beneath mine on the contract. No demonstrations, no questions. Only quiet acquiescence and cautious acceptance.

Once it was over, after the spectators had exited and we were finally alone, I permitted myself to really observe her. In the warm glow of the lamp, with her guard slightly down, she appeared beautiful. My wolf consented, a growl resonating in my throat.

"I noticed you're afraid of me," I remarked, taking a step nearer.

She stayed in place. "Am I not supposed to be?"

I smiled, extending my hand to sweep a strand of hair from her face. She recoiled but did not retreat. "Being cautious is smart when it comes to predators," I told her.

"But you are not prey anymore, Luna. You are now considered an equal."

"Your asset, you mean," she replied, a glint of intensity in her amber eyes.

"You are my little wolf," I amended, running my fingertip along her jawline. She felt incredibly soft when touched. "There exists a distinction."

I settled in, savoring her fragrance at the pulse point below her ear. Her breath halted, and I grinned against her skin. "You seem tired," I murmured, biting my lips on the tender skin. "And injured."

My fingers glided along her arms, softly over the marks. I lifted her sleeve, exposing additional ones, the earlier marks concealed beneath the recent injuries. I was furious inside, but my touch was gentle as a breeze as I leaned in to kiss each one.

"What are you doing?" she stammered, her voice shaking.

"Claiming what belongs to me," I whispered amidst kisses. "Removing him from your skin."

Her heartbeat quickened beneath my mouth as I moved from her arm to her shoulder, then to the mark on her cheek. She trembled but did not step back.

"I'm not bringing you tonight," I whispered on her skin. "Still not."

She stiffened, obviously doubting my words. "What's the delay?" I belong to you now, both legally and by the laws of our pack."

I stepped back to observe her eyes. "Because I seek your capitulation, not merely your compliance. There's a distinction, little wolf."

A look of confusion clouded her expression. "I cannot see that."

I smiled, running my thumb along her lower lip. "You shall. One day."

Taking a step back was more difficult than I wished to acknowledge. My wolf growled with annoyance, urging me to fully embrace her.

"Relax," I replied, facing the door. "Tomorrow marks the start of your new life."

"Dominic," she yelled while my hands lingered above the doorknob. Hearing my name on her lips sent a wave of happiness through me.

I faced her, upright yet hardly balanced in the middle of her room now.

"Thank you," she said gently.

"Sweet dreams, Luna," I softly interrupted her. "Rest peacefully, knowing you are secure now."

I shut the door behind me, pausing briefly to listen to her movements on the other side. The gentle touch of feet, the squeak of the bed, a trembling breath that could be relief or sorrow.

Mine, my wolf growled happily. Mine at last.

But my brother's scent still lingered on her skin, a reminder that he would try to take what I had stolen. As he always did.

I would burn the world to ashes before I would let him.