Apex’s POV  

Her sweet vanilla and orange blossom scent consumes me even before she steps into the room.

Kallisto.

Her innocent look intrigues me because I can sense a hidden toughness. She's a beautiful woman with a curvy frame and dark hair, her skin golden, and her eyes a beautiful deep brown.

I glance at Eclipse. He's grinning at me like he can read my mind. I stand more erect, shoving my hands into my pants pockets. 

"Eclipse…"

Eclipse suddenly turns to Kallisto, his expression a bit more serious this time. "Please, deary, leave us alone for a bit."

Kallisto stares at the floor for a short time before she slowly makes eye contact with me, nodding. "Mr. Capo, it was nice meeting you."

She happily trots away, glancing back at me, smiling. I take a step forward, giving in to the urge to chase her.

I hold my breath, feeling a sudden gut punch. The need to have her consumes me, which makes me want to whisk Kallisto away from this place in a heartbeat.

Mating. Having a mate in my life was something I had given up waiting for. It's something I've thought about and hoped would happen someday. Suddenly, the day is now. 

I suppress a growl.

Kallisto is my mate. Of all the families in the world, she had to be a Farkas.

"Well, Apex," Eclipse interrupts my thoughts, his voice hinting at something I didn't like, "it seems we have new terms to renegotiate."

I turn to him, squinting. "You're in debt to my pack for over a billion dollars, Eclipse. I don't see any new terms," I point out gruffly.

Eclipse throws his head back, letting out a howling fit of laughter. "I've been on this Earth far too long to know what just happened. You're still attached to that girl from the Maldonado pack though, right? How's that going for you?"

I look away. The topic of Rowena is still a sore spot for me. The contract my father made with the Maldonado pack still makes me angry. Rowena is not fit to be a Luna. I prefer a more affectionate, intelligent woman. Besides, most Alphas marry for a political reason or to make their pack stronger. Neither of those options appeal to me. 

"Your point?" I narrow my eyes at him.

Eclipse casually shrugs. "As an aging Alpha, I remember when Thunder was Lupo's Alpha. He was a stern man, very headstrong. When he wanted something–"

"Dad is still alive," I challenge, cutting him off. "Yes, he is sick, but he is not dead. So, don’t talk as if he were."

Eclipse smirks. "I remember Carol. She was a fine Luna. Best friend to Willa and–"

"Eclipse," I angrily interrupt again. Anger pulses through my veins. "I don't understand why you're discussing my mother or father. Payment is due…immediately."

He frowns, leaning forward. Quickly, his frown is replaced with a worried expression. "You gave me nine months."

"As you said, terms are negotiable." I smirk, walking to the door, deciding I am tired of this conversation.

"Apex, you are not your father," Eclipse hurriedly says.

I halt in my step, turning around to face him once more. "You’re right. I am not. I am Lupo's Alpha."

"You have assumed your role in every way, including Rowena." Eclipse chuckles. "How about I facilitate freedom for you? Kallisto for the price of my debt. You can use her for whatever purpose you'd like. Surrogate, servant, whatever… I don’t care.”

I clench my teeth, studying Eclipse's grinning face. He's right. I stepped into the Alpha role and everything that came with it.

My mother died five years ago when Dad was still our pack's Alpha. His desire for a new Luna came at the right moment—the Maldonado pack had lost their Alpha, and Rowena, his only daughter, needed to marry someone and give the Maldonado pack a new Alpha. 

Dad's fondness for Rowena–despite their age difference–made him negotiate a stupid contract with the other pack. He would marry her and merge our packs into one, making Rowena his new Luna, and becoming the Alpha of a larger and more powerful pack.

Shortly after, Dad was diagnosed with leukemia and had to step away from his position. And I found myself inheriting his contract with the Maldonados. 

Rowena was supposed to be his Luna, not mine. But somehow, I got trapped in his plans.

"So, what's your decision?" Eclipse presses, pulling me back from my reverie.

I shake my head. Rage spreads through me as I think of Kallisto. She's his granddaughter. How could Eclipse sell her like this, without a hint of remorse?

"You have no soul, offering your granddaughter up like a prisoner of war," I hiss.

Eclipse caresses his beard, looking off in thought. Slowly, he grins. "My time here is almost done. As it stands now, I have no family. I thought Kallisto would ensure I reunite with my son, Harry. However, I see she will serve a different purpose."

"What she wants, be damned, huh? Why should I be surprised? You are who you show yourself to be," I tell him angrily, walking to the exit.

****

As the sun sets, I stand behind my desk, holding a drink, trying to enjoy the view of Manhattan. It's something I rarely do at work–drink. However, it's been one hell of a day. I take a sip of my amber-colored drink, seeing the reflection of my Beta, Scar, in the window as he enters the office.

Scar is a tall, muscular man with light hair, and a scar on his cheek resulting from an attack by a rogue wolf. He's always been very astute, which made him the best man to be my Beta.

He's followed by Valentino, my CEO. Valentino is a short, middle-aged man with white hair and amber eyes. He is a kindhearted human who is comfortable working with shifters, and someone who worked his way into the executive position after thirty years and a high school diploma. 

They walk inside and sit in the chairs before my desk unceremoniously.

"Knowing Eclipse," Valentino starts by breaking the silence, "the conversation didn't go well."

I grip my glass. I'm ready to shift and run far into the woods until the rage disappears. Instead of doing that, I take another sip, deciding not to answer right away.

Scar chuckles. "Someone's not ready to howl, so I assume things went in a different direction than expected."

Slowly, I turn, glancing from Valentino to Scar. "He offered me his...granddaughter for the price of his debt. He offered her to be my servant or maybe even a surrogate."

"Surrogate?" Valentino questions with a frown, looking from me to Scar as if he needs some explanation. I can't blame him.

Scar scratches his thick sideburns, contemplative.

"And what about Rowena?" Valentino continues, since no one says a word. "I understand that you two aren't mated and that she was going to be your father's Luna until..." He clears his throat and straights himself in the chair. "But a surrogate? Rowena can bear you plenty of pups, can’t she?"

“Maybe for Dad, but not for me.” I cross my arms over my chest. 

Rowena is a friend of mine. We sort of grew up together, palling around with the same group of friends. However, she’s not my type. She’s too much of a goofball and dimwit. 

I rub the back of my neck, trying to relieve some tension. I’m an Alpha. My job is to keep the pack thriving while defending it from impending dangers such as rogue attacks and wars with other packs. But I’m not interested in following my father’s way of doing things. Although I never thought I would inherit the role this young, I take my job seriously.

However, I must focus on my business and Tutto–my family’s business. There’s a lot on my plate. 

Do I even have time for a Luna?

Scar clears his throat, frowning. "I suggest—"

"Valentino," I interrupt, exhaling. "Draw up a contract releasing the Farkas pack of their debt. Make sure it includes no additional loan money to Eclipse Farkas."

"Whoa," Scar says, hopping up, looking concerned. "Valentino, give us a moment, please."

Valentino doesn't move. Instead, he looks at me, as if needing me to give him the order.

I nod, encouraging him to do what Scar said. Knowing Scar, he won't leave me alone until he talks to me.

Placing my drink on my desk, I wait for Valentino to close the door behind him.

"You can't go against the contract your father made with the Maldonado pack," Scar tells me as soon as Valentino is out of sight.

"She's my mate," I bark at him, more frustrated with myself than anything else.

"She…" Scar starts, frowning at me as his mind puts the pieces together. "You mean, Eclipse's granddaughter?"

I slowly nod. "Kallisto Farkas." 

“Kallisto Farkas,” Scar mumbles her name like he is straining his memory. “I remember my mom telling me about her biological parents Art and Venus having…”

“A f*cking Farkas,” I snarl, angry at the Moon Goddess for mating me with a woman from that pack.

“From what I understand,” Scar reminds me. “She’s actually a Humphrey for what that’s worth.”

I rub my eyes, ignoring him. 

“You always said you had so much to accomplish before finding a Luna,” Scar reminds me. 

“Maybe the Moon Goddess has something else in mind.” I exhale, feeling restless. "Scar, I have the task of avoiding war between the packs. It’s one thing my father could never achieve.” 

Scar exhales, looking relaxed. “It’s the reason why he pushed so hard for the merger with the Maldonado pack.” 

“Honestly, Dad thought with the wrong head when he created that ceasefire with the Maldonado pack.” I flop down in my chair, rubbing my index finger along my bottom lip. 

Why do I have to marry the woman my dad picked for himself?

“I’ll tell Valentino to ignore your order.” Scar walks to the door.

“Leave Valentino to his work,” I order hurriedly, not leaving space for debate. “Gather intelligence on Kallisto and her parents. I want to know everything about her."

Scar opens his mouth to speak, but I give him a warning look. "You may go now, Scar."

He nods. "Yes, sir."

****

As I approach the grand wooden, white and blue mansion surrounded by woods, the tension in my shoulders disappears. Although I am the Alpha of the Lupo pack, which controls Manhattan, I moved to the Hamptons after becoming a billionaire. In the human world, I am a famous real estate investor who makes billions a year. 

Since I was a pup, I dreamed about making skyscrapers that touched the sky, and this is where I got. I can't complain, if I’m being honest.

I yank at my red tie, feeling the call of the wild. Beyond the woods is a lake I love thrashing in after a tough day. I consider going there for a bit.

The whole office thing isn't for me. I love being on construction sites, rushing around, and being part of the action. I'm a first-generation American. My parents arrived from Italy already millionaires. We still own a company there, Tutto, which in English means "everything." Until a few years ago, Dad was the president and CFO.

Now, I am.

Entering my house, I expect to see Dad, walking with a cane, approaching me. He usually stops by, wanting to hear about the day's negotiations. So far, I have yet to tell him about calling in Eclipse's debt. Dad has given me control while struggling to give up control.

I slam the door, frowning. The hallway is empty.

Instead, Freya—Scar's wife—approaches me. In the Pack House, Freya's duties are similar to a secretary. At Tutto, she's my personal assistant. She's also a very good friend to me.

Freya's stern expression makes me feel like an overzealous young pup marking his territory in every corner of the house because it’s fun. 

"We are at our wit's end with your guests. You will have an uprising in the house if you keep things the same. You want to follow your father’s instructions and train her as a Luna, but…" Freya starts, wringing her hands. “She’s insufferable and rude. She’s been yelling at everyone and barking orders, telling us to do things that aren’t in our job titles. Harlow took the Gammas for additional training so they could get out of the house before something bad happened.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, listening to Freya. 

“I allowed your Omegas, except for Ian, to finish their duties later," she continues.

I sigh, looking at her. “Rowena?” 

“Yes,” she sounds exasperated. “Who else could it be? I don’t understand how you let her into the house whenever she wants.” 

Freya’s constant description of Rowena doesn’t describe the Rowena I know. Yes, Rowena is pushy and spoiled. I guess it’s because she is an only child. Since I was ten years old, Rowena’s always been following me around like the little sister I never wanted. 

I exhale, shrugging. I understand that Rowena can rub people the wrong way, which makes me feel bad for her. 

“We’ve been friends for years, Freya.” I tell her, struggling to find reasons to defend Rowena though. “At most, she’s a dimwit—” 

Laughter interrupts me. I immediately recognize the throaty, deep laughter that belongs to my father. The high-pitch, sultry sound churns my stomach. 

Freya rolls her eyes. “She’s in the study with your father.” Freya lowers her voice, stepping in front of me, looking hopeful. “Scar told me you’ve found a mate.”

I  give her a playful warning look. “Your husband talks too much.” 

“That’d be a yes,” Freya says. 

As I head towards the study, I hear Freya happily announcing, “I can’t wait until Rowena finds out you have a mate.”

Yeah, well, me neither. I have yet to find a way to cancel the agreement between her and my father though.