[CAIUS POV]
"Ah, you're here," my father said as I was poring over documents. "I thought you would be with Yvette right now."
"You were looking for me?" I asked, looking up.
"Yes," he said. "It's regarding your wedding. You ought to prepare for it soon. It will be held in two weeks."
"So soon?" I asked in surprise. I wasn't expecting my bachelorhood to end so quickly. Most fated mates were bonded, but they took their time planning their elaborate weddings. "I thought you and the Beta wanted a big wedding? We can't come up with anything in two weeks. It's too short a time."
In two weeks, one could barely muster up proper catering and cake. I didn't care, but Yvette would, even if she pretended she wasn't.
No woman would be happy with a slipshod wedding. I hate to make my future Luna unhappy over something so preventable, especially when I was already so lucky to be matched with a woman who was beautiful, intelligent, and desirable.
"You can hold another ceremony next year if you wish, but there is no point in delaying matters now. Beta Basil and Yvette have already agreed," my father continued steadily. "You should know marriage to your fated mate is the first step in proving to everyone that you're ready to take the reins regarding pack leadership. I am not getting any younger."
"Yes, of course." I nodded, growing more solemn at his words.
Since I was born, I knew that being Ashbourne's Alpha was my birthright. Every single waking moment of my life has been leading to this moment. I would make it up to Yvette later on.
Unbidden, Iris's face floated in my mind. Atlas immediately perked up. Ever since I acknowledged Yvette as my fated mate, he had been doing his best to pretend I didn't exist― which was rich, since he was living rent-free in my mind.
Finally, I had his focus.
"Will Iris be attending the wedding?" I asked, trying to sound casual. It was a valid question. "She is still your daughter after all."
My father paused and nodded. "It will be the last pack gathering she attends. She will be sent to Alpha Gareth after your wedding."
"Really? When was this agreement made?" This was the first time I was hearing about this.
Somehow, I didn't like the sound of this arrangement. The thought of another man laying his hands on Iris, let alone one twice her age, made me feel a strange simmering anger in my belly.
It couldn't be care or concern. I rationalized to myself that it must be because she was going to escape this pack― to escape me. I could not allow this to happen. She needed to pay for her sins for the rest of her life.
Only I could be allowed to torment her. Since she ruined my family beyond repair, her life was mine to break. Not some other alpha's.
Suddenly, I remembered how she bent over and called me sir while cleaning up, and the sharp spike of possessive want coursing through my body nearly sent me reeling. Recalling that memory felt as though I had been zapped by an electric current.
And when I thought about her doing the same for another alpha, I nearly snapped, a possessive rage blanketing me before I remembered who Iris was.
My half-sister.
Just the reminder made me want to retch.
There was no way I could be feeling desire for her― at least, not willingly. I curled my lips. Perhaps this was her way of getting revenge. She fooled me when we were children, and now she was seducing me, the same way her mother seduced my father and wrecked my family.
What a foul, wicked woman. I needed to keep her under my thumb to torture her.
Atlas was now pacing back and forth, snarling with his teeth out as though he were a mad dog. I had to pull him back to stop him from taking over and snapping at my father.
"There were always talks about it, but the agreement was set when you found your fated mate," my father said dismissively. "The future of this pack depends on you, and Iris has no part in it. Do you understand me?"
"Why can't she stay?" The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. Atlas howled in approval.
My father paused suspiciously, as though I was possessed. "W-What― Son, are you… defending her?"
"Goddess no, I just… isn't it better to keep her as an omega servant here?" I asked. "If she becomes the Luna of Stonebreak pack, she will have more power."
My father's shoulders relaxed minutely. "Then Ashbourne will have a solid alliance with Stonebreak. Alpha Gareth should be on his knees, thanking us for giving him Iris. Assuming she survives." He then shrugged his shoulders callously. "Either way, the trade agreement is finalized. Consider this my wedding gift to you."
With that parting line, my father left me alone with my thoughts and the stack of documents. I frowned.
'Don't tell me you're letting him do this to Iris!' Atlas howled angrily. 'Are you a werewolf or not!'
'What? Are you afraid she'll come back and get revenge on us?' I asked Atlas.
That made sense. Stonebreak was an older pack, and their warriors were more well-trained thanks to their alpha's bloodthirsty nature. If Iris survived and somehow became Alpha Gareth's most beloved woman, we would have war on our hands.
'You are so foolish, it pains me to share a mind with you.' Atlas turned his back on me and curled into a tight ball. I rolled my eyes at his theatrics, ready to get back to work.
Then another knock interrupted me. It was Isaac, my best friend and the man who would become Ashbourne's future beta. I heard his voice before I saw his face.
"Sorry to bring you bad news, Caius, but pack members are claiming Iris was hurling vulgarities at Yvette―"
"Luna," I instantly corrected, "Luna Yvette. You need to remember her new title, Isaac." Then I registered the rest of his words, and my face grew red with anger.
"Iris did what?"
"It's not as bad as it sounds―" Isaac said, but I was already on my feet, my hands clenched into fists.
It's time for me to teach my half-sister a lesson about proper respect.