Chapter 2

Isolde's POV

My father's office fell quiet as we stepped inside. Me, Sybilla, and Kieran—all summoned like obedient puppies to meet Silver Moon Group's representatives. Even my motor-mouth of a stepmother was silent for once, which told me everything I needed to know about how serious this meeting was.

The executive suite that once symbolized my father's power now felt like a mausoleum to his failed ambitions. The awards that lined the walls—Best Entrepreneur, Emerald Valley Business Leader—were dusty relics of a better time.

Beta Nathaniel Thornfield, Silver Moon's Vice President of Operations, stood by the window. In the werewolf world, there was a hierarchy hidden beneath human society. Many CEOs, banking elites, and tech visionaries were either werewolves themselves or puppets controlled by werewolf interests, with Silver Moon at the apex of this shadow empire.

My father—Alaric Blackwood, once the most feared and respected businessman in Emerald Valley—looked more like a subordinate than a leader in his own territory.

Danger, Lyra, my wolf whispered in my mind, my wolf's instincts on high alert. His scent... power.

She wasn't wrong. Even in this business setting, our wolf senses detected the underlying note of raw dominance that made my skin prickle. My wolf paced restlessly within me, sensing the shift in power dynamics.

"Are all required parties present, Alpha Alaric?" Nathaniel's voice was deep and commanding, cutting through the silence.

My father nodded, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. "Yes, Beta Nathaniel. Everyone you requested is here."

Nathaniel's steely gaze swept across the room, lingering momentarily on each face before he spoke again. "As you all know, Blackwood Enterprises currently owes Silver Moon Group the sum of twenty million dollars, including principal and interest."

The amount made my stomach drop. I'd known things were bad, but twenty million? How had it gotten so bad?

"The loan has been in default for six months now," Nathaniel continued, his tone suggesting it was anything but a normal business discussion. "The lycan king has been... patient. But that patience has reached its limit."

My father's face had gone ashen. "We just need more time. The real estate market—"

"The time for extensions is over," Nathaniel interrupted coldly. "However, the Lycan king has authorized me to present an... alternative arrangement."

I suppressed a shiver. The lycan king—a figure shrouded in mystery. As head of the Silver Moon pack and CEO of its corporate empire, he controlled vast wealth and commanded the loyalty of thousands of werewolves worldwide.

"What kind of arrangement?" my father asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"The Moon Alliance Program," Nathaniel replied, sliding a glossy folder across my father's desk.

My stepmother's eyes widened with recognition. She stepped forward, a calculating gleam in her eye.

"If I may speak," Her voice was suddenly sugary sweet and dripping with fake deference.

I stiffened. Whatever was coming, it wouldn't be good for me.

"My stepdaughter, Isolde, would make an excellent candidate for the program," she gushed, gesturing toward me. "She's intelligent, brave—a fighter through and through. She graduated from a prestigious university with honors and has won numerous academic awards. Her performance in combat competitions has been exceptional."

I almost snorted at her sudden praise. Five minutes ago, I was the family disappointment.

"She would excel in any role within Silver Moon Group, Beta. She is, without question, the finest young woman our family has to offer."

She's finally found a way to get rid of you, Lyra growled. Fucking clever of her.

I caught Sybilla's pained expression. For once, we were in agreement—neither of us wanted to be shipped off to become part of whatever this "Moon Alliance Program" was. But my dear stepmother was making damn sure the VP's attention stayed on me, not her precious daughter.

"Which one is Isolde?" Nathaniel asked, his gaze sweeping between us.

"This one, " My stepmother practically shoved me forward. "The one with the chestnut curls."

I met his gaze unflinchingly as he studied me. His gray eyes were sharp and calculating, seeming to see right through me. I refused to look away, even as Lyra cowered inside me.

Then, to my surprise, he shifted his attention to Sybilla. "And who is this?"

My stepmother's scent immediately soured with fear. "Th-that's my daughter, Sybilla," she stammered.

Sybilla straightened her shoulders and put on her sweetest smile. "I've already found my mate," she announced, her voice honey-smooth as she gestured toward Kieran. "He is my destined mate."

The room erupted in shocked murmurs. Every werewolf present knew Kieran had been MY boyfriend for the past two years.

I felt dizzy, like the floor had dropped out from under me. Was she seriously claiming MY boyfriend as HER mate? Lying to a high-ranking werewolf from Silver Moon was dangerous. What the hell was she thinking?

She lies! Lyra roared inside me, furious at the deception. She steals what's ours and then LIES!

My father's face remained blank, his eyes avoiding mine entirely. No defense. No correction. Just another knife to my already scarred heart.

"Interesting," Nathaniel said, his voice dangerously soft. "I notice there is no mark on your neck, young lady. If he is truly your mate, why haven't you completed the marking?"

The question hung in the air like a guillotine blade.

"In our traditions, marking follows immediately after finding one's mate," he continued. "You both appear well past the age of maturity. Why the delay?"

The room fell deathly silent. My stepmother looked like she might faint.

"Enough!" I snapped, unable to stomach the farce any longer. Everyone's heads whipped toward me in shock. "Kieran can't mark Sybilla because he's been MY boyfriend for the past two years."

I turned to face my stepsister directly, rage boiling over. "He's not Sybilla's mate! We've been together for two years, and—" I glared at her, teeth nearly bared "—I just caught them in bed together thirty minutes ago. This is the first time she's ever claimed him as her 'mate'."

Nathaniel's brow furrowed, confusion and anger darkening his features. Kieran had gone pale as a ghost, his fear-scent sharp and acrid. Sybilla's perfectly composed mask slipped, revealing the ugly truth beneath.

For a long, tense moment, no one spoke. Then Nathaniel straightened his tie and cleared his throat.

"In light of these... complications," he said carefully, "The lycan king's offer will expand to include both young women in the Moon Alliance Program."

"What?" my stepmother gasped, her composure crumbling.

"The debt will be considered paid in full upon both daughters joining the program," Nathaniel continued, ignoring her outburst. "Mr. Silverwood, the lycan king specifically requested the Alpha's daughter when he learned of her combat abilities. But given the evident... family dynamics, he'll find both sisters useful."

"Both?" My father finally spoke, his voice strained. "You would take both my daughters?"

"The choice is simple, " Nathaniel replied coolly. "Either both daughters join the program, or Silver Moon Group will seize all Blackwood assets tomorrow morning. Your business, your properties, and your reputation."

My father's face contorted with indecision, but I already knew what he would choose. He would sacrifice us to save himself. He always had.

We just gained a one-way ticket to Silver Moon's inner circle, Lyra whispered. The most powerful werewolf territory in the country.

As I stood there, watching my family bargain me away like an asset, I felt strangely calm. Perhaps this was my chance to escape—to start fresh somewhere else, even if that somewhere was the mysterious and feared Silver Moon Group.

My only regret was that I'd have to share this new hell with Sybilla.