Earlier That Day

Dominic's POV

"You know what this means, don't you Dominic?" His lips curve into what might charitably be called a smile, showing teeth like a shark. "Fucking my sister and giving her chlamydia. That's grounds for exile. Not to mention losing your Beta position."

Alpha Sterling's voice cuts through the chamber like a blade. My stomach drops, cold dread flooding my veins. He sits on his throne above me, and I'm kneeling on stone that feels like ice against my knees.

"Alpha, please, I'll do whatever it takes"

"Whatever?" He chuckles, the sound like grinding glass. "Good. I want your daughter."

"Moira?"

"I want her as my personal fuck toy. To use however I want, whenever I want, however rough I want. In exchange, you keep your position and your comfortable life continues unchanged." His eyes gleam with dark hunger. "She's eighteen tomorrow, isn't she? Legal. Perfect fucking timing."

The throne room seems to shrink around us. Sterling leans forward slightly, and the full weight of his Alpha presence crashes over me like a tidal wave. Every instinct screams at me to submit, to grovel, to give him whatever he demands.

'My daughter for my position. My worthless daughter for everything I've worked for.'

Moira has never been anything but a burden. A reminder of her dead mother, a constant source of irritation and expense. She contributes nothing to this family except pain and aggravation.

But my Beta positionthat's everything. The respect, the power, the comfortable house, the deference of lesser wolves. That's what matters. That's what I've built my life around.

"She's yours," I say, and I'm surprised by how steady my voice sounds.

Sterling's smile widens, predatory satisfaction rolling off him in waves. "Excellent. I knew you were a practical man."

Relief floods through me, warm and intoxicating. My position is safe. My life can continue exactly as it has. All it cost was one worthless girl who was nothing but trouble anyway.

"Tomorrow evening. After her birthday." He waves a hand dismissively. "I expect her delivered to my chambers by eight."

"Of course, Alpha." I can already feel my hands itching for the satisfaction of it. 'One last chance to teach her some respect before she becomes Sterling's problem.'

"Good. You're dismissed."

I rise to my feet, my knees protesting after kneeling on the stone. As I turn to leave, Sterling's voice stops me.

"Dominic?"

"Yes, Alpha?"

"Don't disappoint me."

The threat hangs in the air like poison. I nod once and walk toward the doors, my legs steadier now that the deal is done.

*****

The fresh air outside the pack house feels like freedom. I open the mind-link to Victoria first.

'Princess, I have something special for you.'

'What is it, Daddy?' Her voice practically purrs through the connection, sweet and eager.

'Your sister is being given to Alpha Sterling tomorrow. As a gift.' I can't keep the satisfaction out of my mental voice. 'But first, we need to make sure she understands what her life is going to be like. I want you to be in charge tonight.'

'Really?' The excitement in her voice makes me smile. 'I can do whatever I want to her?'

'Whatever you think she deserves, sweetheart. You know her better than anyone.'

'This is going to be so much fun, Daddy. I have so many ideas.'

'I knew I could count on you. Get your brothers ready. Make sure they know you're running the show tonight.'

'Leave it to me.'

I expand the mind-link to include the boys.

'Boys, listen up. Victoria is in charge of tonight's... family activity.'

'Finally,' Tristan's voice comes through, eager and cruel. 'What's the occasion?'

'Moira is being given to Alpha Sterling tomorrow,' Victoria cuts in, her mental voice sharp with authority. 'But first, we're going to have some fun with her. And I'm running things tonight.'

'About time someone put her in her place permanently,' Marcus adds.

'What about Jaxon?' Tristan asks.

I pause. Jaxon has been... distant lately. Uncooperative. But family is family, and this is too important.

'He'll participate. Victoria, make sure of it.'

'Don't worry, Daddy. I'll handle him.'

I close the connection and start walking home, my steps light for the first time in weeks. Everything is falling into place. Sterling gets what he wants, I keep what I need, and Moira finally serves a useful purpose.

'One last night of fun, then she's Sterling's problem forever.'

*****

Moira's POV

I can't believe what Jaxon just said.

The words echo in my head, each one hitting like a physical blow. My legs give out, and I sink into the chair across from him, my whole body trembling.

'Tomorrow. They're giving me to Alpha Sterling tomorrow.'

"That's why I had to tell you." Jaxon's voice sounds hollow, distant. "You need to run, Moira. Tonight. Before they"

"Before they what?" The words scrape out of my throat like broken glass.

His face goes pale. "Dad's planning something. For tonight. Victoria's in charge." He can't meet my eyes. "I heard them talking. They want to... have their final bonding session with you."

The library spins around me. The safe haven of books and silence suddenly feels like a trap, the walls closing in.

'One more day,' I'd told myself this morning. 'Just one more day and I'll be free.'

I was so wrong.

Tomorrow isn't freedom.

Tomorrow is the beginning of a nightmare I can't even imagine.