Kael's POV "Don't worry, young Alpha," Mia's voice came gently through the phone. "I've already cleaned and dressed Miss Riley's wound." "Mm." My voice came out flat. I hesitated for a second, then added, "Clear out my bedroom. Riley's not staying in that damn storage room anymore." There was a pause on the line. Then her voice softened with relief. "Yes, young Alpha. I'll get started right away. Miss Riley has truly suffered these days... it's time she had a proper place to rest." I hung up. My phone screen stayed dark in my hand for a long time. She's my sister. My blood. No matter how difficult she's become, that bond still exists. Still matters. She'll understand this, won't she? She'll see I'm trying. Maybe she'll even smile again. Maybe things will go back to the way they used to be-when she'd bring food to my office without fail, no matter how tense things got between us. Even when I snapped at her. Even when I defended Scarlett and hurt Riley in ways I didn't realize at the time... she still came, lunch in hand, with that quiet little smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Luca would knock and say, "Miss Riley is here." I'd pretend not to care, keep typing like nothing happened. But I always waited for her. Always. That memory sat heavy in my chest now, warm and hollow at the same time. Maybe tonight, she'll do it again. Maybe she'll see I've changed. When the sun went down and the headquarters started to empty, I stayed. Staff filtered out one by one, footsteps fading into silence. I remained in my office, tapping at meaningless reports, checking the time every few minutes.Any moment now. Luca came in, knocking lightly. "Alpha Kael, everyone's headed out. Aren't you going to dinner?" I leaned back in my chair. "My sister's bringing food." He grinned. "Must be nice, having a sister who dotes on you. I wouldn't know." I didn't respond. Just offered a lazy shrug and a half-smile. But as the minutes dragged on... then an hour... then two... my smile faded. The building started to refill with night shift staff. Still no Riley. A cold weight began to settle in my gut. I called home. After a few rings, Mia picked up. "Mia," I said tightly. "When did Riley leave the house?" She sounded confused. "She didn't, young Alpha. Miss Riley has been in her room all day." My grip on the phone tightened. She never left? She didn't bring me anything? That can't be right. She used to love doing that. Even when I hurt her without realizing-taking Scarlett's side, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time-she still showed up with food. Like nothing had happened. Like some part of her still believed in me. And now... she didn't? That stupid hope I'd been feeding all day suddenly turned bitter in my throat. It had all been in my head. A delusion. A fantasy where she forgave me, where things could go back to normal. She's not coming back.Not to me. Not like before. Mia's voice broke through again, cautious. "Would you like me to fetch her?" "No," I said quickly. Sharply. "Forget it." I ended the call. A minute later, Luca walked back in-damn good timing, as always. "So?" he said, half-laughing. "What did Miss Riley bring you today? Don't tell me she made you wait again-" I shot him a look that could've frozen fire. His mouth snapped shut. "Alpha Kael, this folder is the info you asked me to compile a few days ago on the Eastwood sector. Reliable sources say that land will be auctioned off in two weeks." I muttered, "Leave it." After Luca left, I stared blankly at the desk for a long while before starting to deal with the work at hand. The new policy planned to develop Eastwood into a commercial district. As long as the policy held, securing that land would be a guaranteed big win. But we weren't the only ones eyeing it. The Stormridge Pack from Northhaven also showed serious interest. Scarlett was betrothed to Ronan, and a joint development between Blackmaw and Ebonclaw on Eastwood would be a perfect win-win. What I wasn't sure about was Stormridge's attitude. Stormridge was one of the most powerful Packs in the northern capital, with a heritage far exceeding that of Ebonclaw. If they decided to take Eastwood all for themselves, then Ebonclaw and the Blackmaw would be out of luck. Work was a mess. Family was a mess. I felt like my head was about to explode. I stared at the desk.About the bandage soaked in my sister's blood. I'd seen it with my own eyes. Who the hell did that to her? Was it Ronan? That smug bastard from the Blackmaw Pack? My fists curled until my knuckles ached. Riley might've messed up. Might've made enemies. Might've torn this family apart. But she's still my sister. Still Ebonclaw blood. And she didn't deserve to be thrown around like some rogue trash because that bastard lost his precious little Tessa. I barely made it through the rest of the day. Midnight came. I didn't go home. I drove straight to the Silverfang Den-one of those upscale dens where bored nobles drank away their honor and wolves forgot who they were for a night. It was dark inside. Loud music. Low lights. Shadows dancing on leather couches. The air thick with alcohol, perfume, and Pack musk. I went straight to the bar and dropped onto a stool. "Something strong," I said. The bartender gave me a look, then slid me a glass. I tossed it back without thinking. The burn hit my throat hard. It helped. Barely. I downed another. And another. Riley had changed. So much. Too much.She used to look at me like I was her brother. Like I mattered. Like my approval meant something. Now she barely looked at me at all. She didn't even try anymore. And it pissed me off more than I wanted to admit. I slammed my glass down and reached for another. But someone beat me to it. A pale, long-fingered hand slid across the bar and snatched it first. I turned, pissed off. "The hell-" The guy didn't respond. Just threw the drink back like water. It took my eyes a second to focus under the strobe lights. And then I saw him. Ronan. The prince of the Blackmaw Pack. My blood boiled. "You bastard," I growled. "You split my sister's head open. You call yourself a man?" I swung. He didn't flinch. Just moved. Effortless. Quick. My punch missed, and I stumbled into the bar like a damn drunk. Liquor flew. Glasses clattered. I turned again, ready to go for round two-but he caught my wrist and slammed it into the bar, hard enough to rattle my bones. "If you want to act like a feral mutt," he said coldly, "go do it on your own turf. Not in my den.""You think you're innocent?" I spat. "You laid a hand on Riley. That's a line you don't come back from." His eyes narrowed, cold as moonlight. "I didn't touch her," he said. "But even if I did-it would be what she owes. To Tessa."