DYER'S P.O.V

"I'd tell you the truth. All of it." She finally starts pleading after another week of torture.

Nobody has hit her, no. I strictly forbade it. But she can't leave the confines of her cell either, and nobody would give her so much as a single word response when she tries to ask questions.

Being ignored is something that I know would definitely drive her to the brink of madness. She would want answers, and would be willing to talk since she knows that I'm the only one who would give them to her.

I smile at her. "Are you really?"

She nods eagerly. "I am. I promise."

"Fine then. Start talking."

She drags in a shaky breath and closes her eyes. "I'm from Redmoon pack, and I'm the daughter of the high chief, Nolan Conroy."

I cut her off. "I have to say that I don't believe you."

"What do you mean?" Her eyes snap open and she cuts me a glare.

"My Intel is that the daughter of high chief Nolan is the mate of Redmoon's pack Alpha, Elliott Brine."

Her eyes widen instantly. "Who are you?"

A smirk curves my lips. "You weren't given any information before you were sent on this mission?"

"I already told you. No one sent me on any mission. I ran away."

"Why would the daughter of a high chief have to run away from her pack and the position of Luna?"

"Because I am fated to a douchebag who cheated on me with my own twin and got her pregnant before he used her to replace me as crowned Luna of the pack."

"Twin?"

"Ashlyn Conroy is my twin sister. My name is Aislyn Conroy."

"That's quite a story. I have to admit that I am impressed." I get out of my chair and walk slowly away from the cell. "But that has absolutely nothing to do with my pack. So if you really have nothing to hide and were not sent here on a spy mission, i would have to send you back to your family. You're not important enough to start a war over."

"Fine. But I have one question."

"Good. Keep it."

*******

I notice the way the silver haired woman beside my second in command, Bodie, freezes as soon as we pull up to the Alpha's packhouse in the Redmoon territory.

He makes eye contact with me over the rear view mirror and I motion for him to step out. He nods, opens the door and steps out of the car.

"Please don't do this." Her voice is so soft that I almost miss the pleading.

"Do what? Send you back home? Most people would be overjoyed by the prospect of it."

"Most people don't live my life. They wouldn't understand my misery."

"And I don't care to either. Step out of the car."

She obeys. But I catch her wiping her eyes with her palm.

I almost retrace my steps, but I don't care enough about the predicament of anyone to want to take on savior duties, so I ignore it.

"King Dyer." A man in his mid thirties approaches us and bows in respect. "The Alpha and his council have been expecting you for so long."

"We're here now. Take me to them."

"This way." He bows again and turns on his heel.

I gesture for Aislyn, or whatever she says her name is, to move ahead of me.

"King Dyer? You're a king?" She asks as she walks ahead of me.

"What did you think I was?"

"An Alpha. You smell like an ani... a beast."

"That's because I am a beast. Now focus on returning to your family and forget about trying to know my history."

"I..."

I infuse my voice with a command. "What did I just say?"

She jerks in fright and starts to move along faster. Good.

We finally make it to the scept hall where the Alpha and his council of chiefs meet to discuss whatever pack politics they deem important.

How much of a weasel can you be to need an army of men to help you rule?

Elliott rises to his feet immediately and so does every member of his council. "Dyer. It's been a while..."

"We're not familiar enough for you to call me by my first name, kid." I interrupt him.

He swallows nervously. "My apologies, King Dyer. I assumed."

"Don't."

"King Dyer," The spitting image of the woman with me calls in greeting.

They look exactly the same, save for the slightly lighter tone to Aislyn's hair, and the brightness of her baby blue eyes.

"You are?"

"Luna Ashlyn." She casts a look at her sister as she makes the introduction.

I turn to Elliott, ignoring the attention seeking twin. "One of your subjects was found attempting suicide on my den's property and I thought to bring her back so as to avoid a war."

I tap Aislyn's back to push her forward even more so that my message is received.

"You did what?" One of the council chiefs take a step forward. They share a semblance, it's their in the set of their jaw and in the silver tint of his beard.

Nolan Conroy.

"I would stay as far away from her as possible if I were you. She is still under my protection." I warn.

He halts his advance immediately and glares daggers at his daughter. From his reactions, I can guess she's not the one he really pays attention to. He's probably just concerned for his reputation.

I look at Aislyn and she isn't even looking at any of them. Her eyes are trained on the floor at her feet, her fingers intertwined so tightly that her knuckles gleam white.

"We had no idea that she was going to kill herself." Elliott makes an attempt at defending himself.

"That is none of my concern. I have brought her back in good health, and with a warning that the next time Redmoon decides to encroach on my property, it would be a declaration of war."

"We have no intention of starting a war with you, King Dyer. This is all a simple misunderstanding."

"Mm." I turn on my heel and start to head out but a feminine voice calls out to me.

"Your highness."

I halt in my tracks and offer her a glance over my shoulder.

" You've been so kind, and have undergone such stress for our sake. If it would please you, keep her for your own. Consider it a peace offering from Redmoon pack and a show of gratitude for your benevolence."

Surprise zings through me. Did she just...? And no one in the pack's leadership think of it as cruel enough to make an attempt at stopping it?

Aislyn's intake of breath is sharp and laced with shock.

This is interesting. Her own twin just offered her up as a payment plan.

Should be fun.