Zara

"Luna?" I frowned. "Where is Alpha?"

"Dead," Alpha Kane answered bluntly. "Killed in an attack several years ago. Luna rules the pack until her son grows up."

"Oh," I nodded, unsure of what else to say.

"If Alpha Bran becomes too insufferable, don’t resist. He’ll only like it." Alpha Kane smirked and began to descend the stairs.

I followed him silently, unsure of my place in this whole situation. My cheeks flushed as I realized what the other Alphas would think if they saw me. Some weird, unranked girl following an Alpha around.

They’d think I was sleeping with him.

"If only," Nova rolled her eyes. "But no, he just tortured us to death."

Beta was the first person I saw when we entered the living room. A knowing smirk crossed his face at the sight of me.

"Glad to see you up and moving, Zara." Beta nodded, a glint of humor in his eyes.

Beta Hunter seemed all too familiar with my strange relationship with Alpha Kane. I wasn’t sure how open Alpha Kane was with Beta, but he seemed to find the whole situation amusing.

"Thanks," I muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Now I’m grounded."

"Can you blame him?" Beta chuckled softly, looking from me to Alpha Kane.

"No," I grumbled.

I really couldn’t blame Alpha Kane, but that didn’t make the situation any easier to accept. I needed to deal with my family, and I had no idea how.

I could always try to escape again, but the chances of a second try were slim.

Would Alpha Kane let me sleep in my room? Or would I have to sleep with him?

A blush spread across my cheeks. The thought of sharing a bed with Alpha Kane both excited and unnerved me. How much trouble would I get into, glued to him?

As we rounded the corner, I noticed five more people in the room. I couldn’t make out who Alpha Zeke, Alpha Black, Alpha John, and Alpha Bran were, but Luna Freya stood out clearly.

She was very tall, long-legged, and fair. Her hair flowed down her back in waves of wheat-colored silk. She must have been in her early forties, but she looked stunning for her age.

Fine wrinkles formed at the corners of her eyes, and a few at the corners of her mouth. Her gaze looked tired, but incredibly attentive.

One of the Alphas had golden hair, tousled on his head. He was handsome, but the smirk on his face was tiresome. He had the same athletic build as all werewolves, complete with defined muscles and a dazzling smile.

The second Alpha had darker hair than Alpha Kane. His face was much more angular than the golden-haired Alpha’s. His eyes were a striking shade of blue.

"Alpha Zeke." Alpha Kane’s lips twitched into a grin I’d never seen before.

He walked up to the dark-haired Alpha and squeezed his hand tightly. Alpha Zeke’s face broke into a crooked grin. Alpha Zeke looked quite intimidating just standing there, but the smile washed away his fear. It lit up his face, making him look like a small child.

As strange as it sounded, I was overcome with envy. Why didn’t Alpha Kane smile at me? Of course, I hadn’t done much to make him smile.

"Alpha Bran." Alpha Kane’s tone was...But he changed. He became... more formal, his handshake less enthusiastic.

"Alpha Kane, you have a beautiful Sterling Empire here," Alpha Bran remarked, glancing at the panoramic windows overlooking the courtyard.

"One of many," Alpha Kane nodded, moving to Luna Freya.

"Luna Freya, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you." Alpha Kane’s harsh tone softened slightly. He squeezed her hand firmly, treating it the same way he treated the two Alphas.

"Alpha Bran is right," Luna Freya nodded, casting a weary glance at Alpha Bran. "This Sterling Empire is quite beautiful. Everything looks so new."

"Those who live here are very proud of this Sterling Empire," Alpha Kane nodded, a polite smile on his face. I hadn’t even considered the fact that Alpha Kane didn’t actually live here. His pack’s "capital" was somewhere else. He’d just settled into our little pack, assuming leadership.

I couldn’t help but wonder where he’d lived before. Did he have a family? Siblings?

"Who’s this little one?" Alpha Bran glanced at Alpha Kane with a self-assured smirk.

"Zara." I nodded, casting Alpha Bran a puzzled look.

I easily understood why Alpha Kane was indifferent to him. Alpha Bran seemed to be overstepping his bounds, getting too comfortable. Nova already hated Alpha, most likely because of Alpha Kane’s recent comment.

"Took over the pack and found himself a nice little bed warmer." Alpha Bran grinned at Alpha Kane. "Well done, she’s so pretty. Mind if I take one while I’m here?"

I immediately covered my mouth with my hand and snorted.

Luna Freya’s bright eyes immediately fixed on me, assessing my reaction. Alpha Bran’s golden brow arched as he, too, noticed my reaction.

I noticed Alpha Kane’s lips curl, his eyes glittering with amusement as he looked at Alpha Bran.

"Something funny, doll?" Alpha Bran arched his golden brow at me, his gaze a little too interested for my liking.

"Yeah," I snorted. "You think any woman in this pack would want you? That’s a bold thought."

I couldn’t hold back the words; they burst from my mouth like a geyser. Restraint had never been my strong suit, but now I needed it more than ever.

Luna Freya chuckled silently, but Alpha Bran was looking at me with such intensity that I felt uneasy. I resisted the urge to move, keeping my emotions in check. Relief washed over me when a smile spread across Alpha Bran’s face.

"Can I have her?" Alpha Bran turned his attention to Alpha Kane, who seemed to be silently seething with anger.

"Can I have her?" Nova chuckled. "Why does everyone think they can own us?"

"I’m not a thing," I chuckled, looking at Alpha Bran incredulously. "Touch me, and I’ll break your arm. I don’t mind fighting an Alpha."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized the mistake I’d made. Alpha Bran grinned, revealing perfectly straight teeth.

"Uh, Zara," Nova’s voice was tinged with concern. "That sounded like a challenge."

My stomach clenched.

"Is that a challenge, little wolf?" Alpha Bran smirked. "You think you can stand up to me?"

I felt Alpha Kane tense next to me, his gaze fixed on Alpha Bran. My gaze slid down Alpha Bran’s body. His smirk widened; he thought I was checking him out. I was checking him out, but not in the way he thought. I was assessing him.

He was big, but not as muscular as Alpha Kane. I doubted he had Alpha Kane’s speed, so I was faster than him.

"What are we going to do?" Nova groaned. "You can’t just say no. You started all this."

"We’ll finish what we started, and we’ll win." I nodded, mustering up the last of my courage.

"Okay, not that I have a choice," Nova snorted. "But after this, we’ll have a serious talk about your composure."

"Deal." I nodded, already dreading this conversation.

"Sure, why not." I shrugged, but inside, everything was a mess.