Author’s POV

Helena paced the luxurious suite at the Howling Peaks resort like a caged animal, her wolf snarling beneath her skin. The elegant mountain retreat—normally a sanctuary for wealthy werewolves seeking relaxation—felt like a prison to her tonight. Caesar had "suggested" she stay here overnight, and his tone made it clear it wasn’t a request.

The realization of what was happening back at the main house made bile rise in her throat. Caesar and Sylvia would be alone. Together. In his bed.

"That little alpha bitch," Helena hissed, hurling a decorative pillow across the room with enough force to knock a lamp off its stand. The crash brought her momentary satisfaction before rage consumed her again.

She grabbed her phone and stabbed at William’s contact, pacing as she waited for her brother to answer.

"What is it, Helena?" William’s voice came through, sounding distracted and slightly annoyed. "I’m in the middle of something important."

"He sent me away," she snarled, not bothering with pleasantries. "Caesar practically exiled me to this goddamn resort so he could fuck her all night without interruption."

A heavy sigh came through the speaker. "And what did you expect him to do? They’re mates."

"They are NOT mates!" Helena’s voice rose to a shout, her free hand clenching into a fist. "She’s nothing but an opportunistic little fraud who somehow tricked him. Caesar belongs with me—he always has!"

"Helena—"

"Don’t ’Helena’ me! We grew up together. I’ve loved him my entire life. I was there when his parents died, when he took over the Blood Moon Pack. Where was she? Nowhere! Playing dress-up as an omega in Zane Thorne’s pathetic pack!"

William’s voice hardened. "Are you quite finished with your tantrum?"

Helena faltered, her brother’s cold tone catching her off-guard.

"Good," he continued. "Listen carefully. Caesar Conrad may think he’s untouchable right now, but every Alpha has weaknesses. Even the so-called Wolf King."

Something in William’s tone made Helena’s wolf stand at attention. "What are you saying?"

"In due time, Caesar will be vulnerable. And when that happens, you’ll get what you want."

Helena stopped pacing. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I promise you’ll have Caesar in the end," William said with quiet certainty. "But I need time to arrange certain things. Trust me, sister."

Helena’s eyes narrowed. William had never shown much interest in her pursuit of Caesar before. "What are you planning, Will?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with." The sound of papers shuffling came through the line. "Just be patient. Don’t do anything rash."

What Helena failed to realize was that her brother wasn’t simply placating her. William was orchestrating a power play against the Wolf King himself—a dangerous rebellion that would reshape the hierarchy of packs across the country.

"You’re lying to me," Helena accused, mistaking his conspiracy for dismissal. "You just want me to stay out of the way while you handle whatever business you think is more important."

"Helena—"

"No. I’ll handle this myself." She ended the call before he could respond, tossing the phone onto the plush sofa.

She poured herself a generous glass of whiskey from the minibar and moved to the window overlooking the resort’s sprawling grounds. As she sipped the burning liquid, a plan began to form in her mind.

"Caesar never told her," she murmured to herself, a slow, cruel smile spreading across her face. "His precious mate doesn’t know about Vertex."

Helena knew how much Sylvia despised deception. The woman had built her whole relationship with Caesar on honesty after Zane’s betrayal. What would happen when she discovered Caesar had hidden his ownership of one of the largest conglomerates in the country? The very company Sylvia’s firm was competing against?

"She’ll never forgive him," Helena whispered, her smile widening. "And I’ll be there to pick up the pieces."

With renewed purpose, Helena drained her glass and glanced at her reflection in the remaining unbroken portion of the mirror. She needed a distraction, something to take the edge off while her plan took shape.

The resort was filled with attractive werewolves from various packs. Surely one of them would serve as an adequate diversion for the night.

Helena changed into a crimson dress that clung to every curve, the neckline plunging daringly low. She applied fresh lipstick, fluffed her hair, and headed down to the resort’s exclusive lounge.

The bar was dimly lit, filled with the scents of expensive cologne and desire. Helena surveyed the room like a predator selecting prey, her gaze finally landing on a broad-shouldered man sitting alone at the bar. His muscles strained against the fabric of his tailored shirt, and the set of his jaw spoke of dominant alpha tendencies.

He wasn’t Caesar—no one could compare—but he would do for tonight.

Helena approached, deliberately brushing against him as she ordered her drink. When their eyes met, she didn’t bother with small talk. The hunger in his gaze matched her need for distraction.

"Your room or mine?" she purred, trailing a finger along his forearm.

His smile was wolfish as he settled his bill. "Mine. Now."

What followed was a blur of desperate, angry sex that left scratch marks down his back and bruises on her hips. Helena closed her eyes throughout, imagining Caesar’s hands on her body, his voice in her ear. The stranger was nothing but a placeholder, a warm body to help her release the frustration boiling inside.

Afterward, she didn’t linger. She slipped out of his room while he showered, not bothering to leave her number. He had served his purpose.

Back in her suite, Helena felt calmer, more focused. She called room service and ordered an elaborate dinner to be delivered to Caesar’s penthouse the following evening—a feast for three.

"A special occasion?" the concierge asked politely.

"Oh yes," Helena replied, her voice honey-sweet with malice. "You could say it’s a farewell dinner."

As she hung up, Helena stretched out on her bed, satisfaction curling through her. Soon, she would drive a wedge between Caesar and Sylvia that not even a mate bond could overcome. And when Sylvia walked away from the man who had deceived her, Helena would be waiting.

"Soon you’ll be mine, Caesar," she whispered to the empty room, her fingers tracing patterns on the pillow as she imagined his dark head resting there instead. "The Wolf King needs his proper queen."