Alpha Nathan's POV.

I had to get Isabella out of my mind. I kept my distance for years and tried not to go to Kwan's castle to avoid meeting her. But now that I had a Luna, I had to at least show everyone how much I cared for her-even if it was fake.

At the same time, I felt guilty. That's why, on my way to my sister Mila's house-which was actually too close, since she lived in the same pack-I decided to pick up a gift for Emily as a kind of apology to give her once I got back.

I stopped by a diamond store and picked out a nice diamond ring, hoping it would fit her finger. Then, in a hurry, I drove to my sister's house.

When I arrived, all the servants and guards bowed their heads respectfully.

I was about to barge inside, but I needed to make sure what was happening with my sister first. So, I stopped two guards. "Come over here."

They bowed again. "Yes, Alpha. At your service."

I asked them in a low voice, "Have either of you seen my sister's mate beating her? Have you seen or heard anything like that?"

They looked at each other, then shook their heads. "No, Alpha."

I raised my brows. "You know, if either of you lies to me, I'll put him in jail. Are you sure?" I warned them.

They replied in unison, "Alpha, he's never done anything like that. We are your men after all, and our duty is to protect your sister with our lives."

I patted their shoulders. "Okay, then."

I couldn't tell if they were lying or if my sister was. Maybe anything happening was behind closed doors, in her room.

I decided to see for myself. I walked inside; everything looked peaceful and normal. I called out, "Mila! Sweetheart, I'm here."

Suddenly, she rushed downstairs, threw herself into my arms, and started crying, pleading, "Please take me home. He's a monster. I hate him."

Somehow, I felt she was lying. I didn't believe her; her tone was fake.

I knew my sister-even though she was adopted, she grew up with me.

I pretended to believe her, but before I could call her mate, he stormed toward me, growling, "What are you doing here? She's my Luna."

I choked his neck with my hand and pushed Mila aside. "How dare you talk to me this way and beat my sister?"

He tried to defend himself, speaking in a low voice, "I didn't! She just wants to leave me for no reason."

I looked at her, and she trembled. "He's lying."

I released his neck and gestured for him to follow me outside.

Mila tried to follow, but I said firmly, "You stay here."

She widened her eyes but didn't protest. She knew how much I loved her, but when it came to disrespecting me as Alpha, I might Beta her myself.

Once we were alone, I faced him. "So, tell me what's going on?"

He ran his fingers through his hair, looking lost and frowning. "I swear to God, I have no idea. Once I told her that you got mated and have a Luna now, and that we should let you enjoy yourself for a few days before congratulating you, she started smashing things, yelling at me, and asked me to break the bond. She started saying how much she hated me."

I rubbed my chin, confused, trying to figure out if he was lying or telling the truth. Unfortunately, he was telling the truth. "So why did you yell at me?"

He suddenly raised his head, looked deeply into my eyes, and then closed the gap between us. In a deep but broken tone, he said, "Because she loves you more than me. Can't you feel it?"

I scoffed. "Are you insane? She's my younger sister!"

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he shook his head. "Maybe to you, but not to her."

He gulped and shrugged. "That's just my instinct, but you'd better take her with you. I can't force her to stay with me anymore."

Just as I was about to argue and convince him it was all in his head, Mila screamed, "How could you get mated, Nathan, without telling me?"

I glanced back calmly. "Why? Do I need your permission?"

She hurried over, shoved her hand in my pocket, grabbed the small diamond box, and opened it without asking. She gasped, stabbing the ground with her heel. "A diamond for a new Luna?"

"What the hell is going on with you?" I yelled, and she shrank back. She only gave me weird looks, as if she was angry and blaming me for being mated.

I frowned, tried to stay calm, and said, "Let's go to the castle. We need to talk."

She nodded and held onto my arm. "What about your son James? Isn't he coming?"

She mumbled weakly, "I need to be alone. Please take me home."

I had to.

I needed to find out her reasons for making her mate feel these things.

Damn it! How could he believe my sister loved me as a man, not as her brother?

I drove her silently; she didn't say a word.

When we reached the castle, she stood rooted in place as if it wasn't her home.

I furrowed my brow. "Mila? Why are you standing here?"

She placed her hand on her head and half-closed her eyes. "I feel dizzy."

In a second, I carried her upstairs to her room, placed her gently on the bed, closed the door, and sat next to her. "Are you okay, Mila?"

And in the blink of an eye, Mila's lips were on mine.

Fuck!

I pushed Mila away immediately. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you drunk?"

I stared at her in disbelief. I had never thought of my younger sister's body, or as a she-wolf. Even if she was adopted, I always saw her as my sister.

I couldn't slap her. I couldn't beat her. She was my heart, my love, my baby sister. I loved her more than anyone, even more than Isabella or myself.

She adjusted herself just enough to place her hand on my chest in a slow, seductive motion. I grabbed her hand. "Mila! Wake up! What's going on?"

I trembled under her gaze. My body was on fire from her touch. I had no idea what was happening to me. Suddenly, I craved her as if I was seeing her for the first time.

I fought myself, repeating in my mind, 'She's my sister!'