Chapter 1

"And you said nothing!"

I didn't respond. My half-brother had been ranting for half an hour. I'd grown used to these tantrums.

"You should have silenced him immediately," Anton Redd, Leader of the Redd Pack, continued. "It was insulting." He thrust his chin forward, daring one of us, his advisors, to speak.

There was no need for me to glance at Sig. He was the only other voice of reason in the room and my only supporter. We'd experienced this moment countless times. I knew that he would only voice his concern after I introduced the subject.

"Henri was correct. The debt has not been paid." I did not move from my position against the far wall, well out of our Leader's reach.

Anton was known for using his claws when antagonized. Over the years, that trigger became easier to pull. Anton's anger burned hot and could only be sated by violence.

"It was rude to mention money in my presence." He sniffed as if suddenly the room smelled of excrement.

"I believe it is a sign that he has grown impatient regarding the money owed." I kept my tone even as if I was narrating a boring documentary.

"When the money arrives from Texas, I will approve a payment."

To cover my lips tightening in frustration, I turned away to pull my phone from my pocket. "I have not received notice of the transfer."

"Put that away." Anton waved his hand like a stage-trained actor. "You know I detest those things."

We were aware of Anton Redd's aversion to technology. Sig and I spent hours dissecting his loathing of most modern conveniences when we were far away from prying eyes and ears.

My closest friend and the only one I trusted implicitly, Sigmond Axel, believed his aversion was rooted in fear. Anton was moderately intelligent, but he possessed a superior gift of cunning and loved to torment the Pack by keeping the members separated from others and without knowledge of how to maneuver in a technology-based world. The members clung to the old ways. It was familiar. New things terrified them.

I believed that my older half-brother enjoyed his power over his people, and he felt a god-like authority by denying them access to information and comfort. He terrorized his people; they were too beaten down to mount a fight.

Outsiders often approached me with promises of support if I would challenge Anton and succeed. There were ego-strokes, offers of money, and influence.

I never wanted to lead the Redds. I feared that the weight of responsibility to my people would crush me.

For two centuries, the Pack had been led by Anton, who had diligently worked to cut us off from the world. We were not self-sustaining. We were dying.

It had fallen upon my shoulders to keep us alive.

My small staff was allowed to pursue higher education. Our technology was not cutting edge. However, we could communicate with the outside world. Our computer system was ten years old, and our cell phones were five. I used my personal funds to support my staff's needs. We walked a fine line; we couldn't flaunt the no-technology rules, yet we needed the tools to survive.

"Let the Frenchman know that another insult will not be tolerated," Anton directed the order to me.

"I will do so before we leave." Which we needed to do very soon. Hosts soon tired of guests who were rude when owing them money.

Anton made a put-upon sound. "Why must we use air travel? It is unnatural."

"It is for your safety and is much faster." I was mentally making lists of what needed to be done before we vacated the estate in the Grand Est region of France. "It is the winter season. Travel is more difficult," I reminded him.

"I am not an idiot, brother," he screeched. "I have noted the snow."

There was much to be done before we boarded the plane. "May I take my leave?" I gave a slight bow, as was expected.

"Go. I find you irritating."

Sig followed me from the room.

There was no need to caution him to hold his tongue until we returned to our suite of rooms.

I walked to the small refreshment bar in our shared common room and collected two water bottles. After handing one to Sig, I sat in the oversized wing chair.

"That money is never coming." Sig took a long drink.

"We knew Anton agreeing to harbor the fugitive was a terrible decision." I had argued for hours to no avail.

"Anton's ego runs unchecked." Sig shrugged. "He broke one of our oldest rules. He attacked a Marked."

"That is why when he arrived. I made sure he was housed in the far west wing and ordered that no females serve him." I stared ahead, seeing nothing as weariness tried to overtake me. "Charles Burke is the entitled son of a Packleader. There have been whispers that he was a problem for years, but Travis Burke ignored the signs."

"Repeatedly raping and beating a Marked until she almost died is not something that will go away. He must answer to the Lycan Council, and if there is any justice in this life, The Lady." Sig's eyes flashed with anger. "Anton has put us all at risk by giving the male sanctuary."

"It's greed. He rarely sides with the Burkes. He hates Travis Burke. He wanted to show the others that he didn't fear the repercussions of the Council or Novus." I settled into the chair, wishing to close my eyes and sleep.

"The promise of millions clouded his mind. He was a fool not to follow your suggestion that we get the money first." Sig sounded bitter.

"Housing Burke on our land endangers our females. The Lycan Council has formally sanctioned us, The Redd Pack. It is only a matter of time before Novus moves against us."

"We should pray it is Novus, not The Lady, who ends our lives," Sig said sagely.

I agreed.

"You can't save us." His piercing gaze held mine. "Anton signed our death warrants when he allowed his greed to overtake his concern for his Pack."

"Perhaps if another took over… We might be able to reestablish some order. However, we are lagging so far behind." It no longer hurt to think of the Redds' demise.

Sig crushed the plastic bottle in his large fist. "I doubt that the Pack can be saved even with new leadership. Lycans are not known for granting mercy."

"Then Anton's replacement would fail."

"And most likely die for asking."

Very soon, we all would.

When I finished my water, I pulled out my phone and made calls to arrange our trip home.