Chapter 1

Rowan

The sweet scent of success filled my office as I leaned back in my chair, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. I was used to this. Every time I looked back at what happened, I knew it wasn't because of luck that I was in this favorable position. It was because of my sacrifices. I would do it all over again.

I had just sealed a lucrative deal with a group of investors who were eager to get their hands on a piece of my thriving tech startup. To top it off, I was only twenty-two years old. My success was immeasurable.

My dead-beat father could never have imagined that I was going to do so much with my life in such a short amount of time. Thankfully, he wasn't with us anymore.

The investors had no idea that just a few years ago, I was neck-deep in debt, borrowing money from the shadiest loan shark in the city to get my company off the ground.

It was better they didn't know. I didn't want anything from my past tarnishing my reputation, much less that. It had been a dark moment in my life. I didn't even like to remember it.

"Mr. Whisperwind, we are thrilled to be partnering with you," Mr. Carter, the lead investor, said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He was so excited to work with me. "Your innovation in the tech industry is truly remarkable, and we believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial. That's why I'm doing this."

"Indeed, it will, Mr. Carter," I replied, extending my hand to shake his. His hand was big and assertive. Contrasting with me, he was massive. He was a bear shifter, after all. "I appreciate your faith in my company, and I assure you that your investment will yield tremendous returns. I wouldn't be putting my neck on the line otherwise."

The investors stood, shaking my hand one by one, their faces beaming with anticipation. I was so thrilled. I couldn't wait until we were putting our plans into action and making more money than we could count.

My mother would be proud of me. She wasn't with us anymore. Wherever she was, I hoped she was okay.

As the last investor shook my hand, my assistant, Lila, entered the room, her face pale and eyes wide. My heart skipped a beat. Whatever she was going to say to me, it couldn't be anything good. I didn't want any bad news tarnishing my moment, but it felt like it was always hunting me.

She approached me and whispered in my ear, her breath warm against my skin. "You have an urgent letter, Mr. Whisperwind. It looks... disturbing. I really don't like it." She took a deep breath in. "I would rather not be doing this, but I know you want to know."

My smile faltered as a chill ran down my spine. Thank goodness that my business partners weren't around anymore. The business deal was one of the most important things to me.

"What is it, Lila?" I asked, concern showing in my voice. She rarely interrupted my meetings, and the urgency in her eyes sent a wave of unease through me.

With trembling hands, she handed me a plain white envelope. "It was delivered by a mysterious figure. He looked shady and refused to give his name. He just said that the letter is for you and that you would understand. And I think he was right."

My heart began to pound as I carefully opened the envelope. Sliding out the piece of paper inside, I unfolded it and read the contents, my blood turning to ice in my veins. I began to sweat.

"Rowan," the letter began, the handwriting jagged and angry. I remembered it. Even if more time had passed, I would still remember it. "You thought you could run from your debts, didn't you? You borrowed money from us, and when it came time to pay, you tried to disappear. Well, I'm here to remind you that debts always come due. I never forget."

The letter went on, detailing the consequences of my failure to repay the loan, and it ended with a stark threat, "You will pay what you owe, plus interest, or your life will be forfeit. We know where to find you, Rowan Whisperwind. Consider this your final warning. We are coming for you, no matter how many people you put between us. "

It was signed with a single word: "Nightshade."

My hands shook as I lowered the letter, my eyes darting around the room as if expecting a hitman to leap out of the shadows at any moment. I remembered that name. It was stuck in my head and I would never forget it.

I had kept the borrowed money a secret, thinking I could handle the consequences myself. To be honest, he hadn't come to try and collect before, so I had forgotten about my debt, but it appeared I'd only been trying to fool myself. How could I have thought he wouldn't come for the rest of the money?

I had paid some of it, but of course, not the entire sum.

And now, the loan shark from the Nightshade Wolves cartel had found me, and they were demanding more than I could ever repay. It was a lot of money. Maybe after my business deal with those investors was finished, I would have enough, but not before.

"Mr. Whisperwind?" Lila's voice broke through my panic, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright? What does the letter say? Is there anything I can do?"

I took a steadying breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew it wasn't going to work, but it was the best I could do.

"It's nothing, Lila," I lied. "Just a personal matter that I need to attend to. Please escort the investors outside and reschedule any appointments I have for the rest of the day. There's something more important I need to do."

She hesitated, her brow furrowed, but she eventually nodded. She would always do what I wanted.

"Of course, Mr. Whisperwind. Take all the time you need. I'll handle everything here."

As Lila left the room, I rose from my chair, my legs feeling weak beneath me. I almost fell to the floor and was happy nobody was around to see that.

My first instinct was to call the police, report the threat, and seek their protection. But then I remembered the nature of my debt and the shady dealings I had engaged in to secure the funds for my startup. I knew the police wouldn't stop at just the Nightshade Wolves. They would want to know everything, including how and why I was in contact with them before.

In other words, I was trapped. The solution would have to come from me.

I sank into my chair, my eyes falling on the letter again. Today wasn't supposed to be like this. It was only supposed to be about my business success and nothing else. I hated the letter so much I wanted to rip it to shreds, but I couldn't do it. I wouldn't feel better if I did that.

Nightshade Wolves. The name sent shivers down my spine. I knew cartels were ruthless, but I had never imagined they would come after me so aggressively. Though, I should be honest, they only sent the letter for now. I couldn't help but wonder if offering a deal with them would work. Could it? I didn't know.

I had heard whispers of their operations in the city—drug trafficking, arms dealing, and other nasty business. I knew what my father would say if he were here: it served me right for dealing with criminals.

As I sat there, my mind racing, I realized that I had no choice but to confront this threat head-on. I couldn't involve the police, and running would only postpone the inevitable.

I would start by trying to set up a meeting with the Nightshade Wolves. I was only a rabbit shifter, so I didn't know if they would even pay attention to me. Maybe they would. After showing them I could make enough money if given sufficient time, they might cut me some slack.

I wasn't saying it was going to work, but it was better than nothing. Otherwise, what would I do? Stay still and do nothing? I couldn't do that.

Not to mention, I was restless. I hated the fact I didn't have anyone to talk to about my current predicament. I couldn't even tell my assistant. She was reliable and trustworthy, but she shouldn't know about something like that. Her life was simple. Sometimes, I wished I didn't have big life goals.

I ran my hand over my face. Then, I tossed the letter into the trash bin. Dusting off my hands, I felt slightly better, but not enough.

The only way I would feel better was if they told me they would wait, but I didn't know how likely that was to happen. Probably not very likely.

I looked out the window, watching the sunset. Even though I didn't know if I was going to survive the night, I was already thinking about what was going to happen tomorrow.