"A wolf who reeks of commerce like you, and you think you deserve to be the Crown Alpha's consort?
"You've turned this entire territory into a den of greed! Have you given a single thought to the Crown Alpha's reputation?"
With that, he dropped to his knees before the Crown Alpha:
"My brother is crude and unworthy. He has tarnished Your Highness's good name! I am willing to take over the household and restore dignity to this territory!"
The Crown Alpha looked at my brother's refined, austere face. His wolf was striking in the way moon-singers always were — lean and silver-pale, built for beauty rather than battle.
Her cheeks flushed.
"Granted."
A bond rejection decree landed on the table.
I became the laughingstock of Moonhaven.
I didn't argue. Didn't make a scene. I packed my things and left like I was told.
So why did they all come begging me to come back?
……
When Crown Alpha Rowena Ashenveil said "Granted,"
I was caught off guard.
I had rolled up my sleeves and poured myself into running her territory for an entire year.
She had praised me more than once in front of others.
She said I was the greatest fortune of her life.
And now, after one look at my brother's face,