Chapter 1

Rommik was angry. How could he not be after what'd happened that morning? His blood boiled at just the thought of Konrad's behavior.

How could he treat his own daughter with such cruelty?

Kiara was nothing more than another pack member to him. And at times, it seemed he valued her even less.

Though his brother kept claiming he was over what'd happened all those years ago, he still held a grudge. He punished Kiara, was unusually hard on her, for his mate's mistake.

But it wasn't Kiara's fault. How could she be held responsible for her mother's actions?

Over the years, Rommik and Kian tried to tell Konrad this several times. But no one could stand up to his brother. The entire pack feared him. Afraid that if they so much as breathed too hard in his direction, they'd face his wrath.

Kiara was no exception. She feared him as much as the others, if not more. She stayed away as much as she could, feeling unsafe with him. But his brother never seemed to understand.

Unlike their father, Konrad treated the pack as if every member was merely an object created to do his bidding. He ruled them with an iron fist, giving very little consideration to their wellbeing. He valued power and authority more than anything else. So, as everyone mourned Rannolf's death, Konrad had rejoiced in the news. He hadn't even waited for the mourning period to end before taking charge as the new alpha of the pack.

Then things changed. While their father's rules had been created to protect the pack, Konrad used them to control it. They had no choice but to follow his orders and do everything he asked them to do. Konrad was cruel to every pack member, especially his daughter.

Rommik needed to talk some sense to his brother … before it was too late.

Making his decision, Rommik pivoted on his heels toward his brother's cabin. He spotted a few pack members huddled together, talking in hushed voices. They scrambled away upon seeing him.

Rommik could sense the discomfort and fear radiating off them. Their hearts raced, and their pupils were dilated as if he'd caught them doing something they shouldn't.

He ignored them and picked up his pace. It didn't take long for him to arrive at his brother's door, which sat at the very center of their village. He halted for a moment before knocking three times, waiting to be let in.

There was no response. Rommik knew his brother could smell him, but Konrad often chose to make him wait as a way of putting him in his place. Rommik controlled the urge to scoff, afraid it would only give Konrad another reason to ignore him.

Sure, Konrad was Rommik's brother, but that didn't mean Rommik had any special influence over him. He had a few extra privileges around the pack, but that was because of his position as a beta, not because he was the alpha's brother. If anything, Konrad saw him as a threat and kept him close only to keep an eye on him.

After a few more minutes of waiting, his brother bid him to enter, and Rommik let himself into the spacious cabin that doubled as Konrad's home and the pack's base of operations. Konrad's brooding figure leaned over the sturdy window frame, looking at the activities outside. More like keeping watch.

Maps and scrolls littered his brother's table. Rommik recognized the biggest map's terrain and noticed new markers near their southern border.

"Leave your weekly reports on the table and go."

Konrad did not even glance at him. Nothing unusual about that; however, he also did not question why Rommik was here at this hour. Rommik had never visited Konrad this late. He'd also already submitted his weekly report yesterday.

Did Konrad really not notice? Or was he trying to get rid of him? Rommik couldn't tell. His brother was an unpredictable wolf; dealing with him was like wading into murky waters. Rommik resolved to say what he had to say about Kiara, then leave.

"My reports have already been submitted, Brother. I came to talk to you." His voice was firm, keeping his emotions in check.

His brother finally turned to him, leaving his post by the window, and sat on his chair, gesturing for him to take a seat. Rommik hid his surprise, sitting down without another word.

"So tell me, brother, what brings you here so late in the evening?" Konrad raised his eyebrows in question. His voice was calm, but Rommik could tell his brother wasn't very happy with his presence.

Rommik had a sinking feeling this wouldn't end well. He had to tread carefully. He steeled himself, asking the question that had been burning in his mind since that morning:

"Do you care about Kiara?"

The rage that flared in his brother's eyes at her name was all the answer Rommik needed. Yet Rommik held his gaze, waiting for an answer.

Konrad looked like he wanted to tear him apart, but instead, he took a deep breath and reclined in his seat. The fire in his eyes died down a little.

"Really, Rommik? You came all this way to ask me such a ridiculous question?" He scoffed. "Of course, I care about her, or she wouldn't be here."

"As a daughter or a pack member?" Rommik dared to ask, bracing himself.

His brother needed to understand he couldn't treat his own daughter like she was nothing. Kiara needed affection from her father, even just the tiniest amount. Did Konrad even realize what he was doing? His ignorant behavior was being noticed by the pack. They followed his lead, meaning Kiara was treated like an outsider in her own home.

"I'm surprised you're even asking me this." His brother laughed mockingly. "When will you understand that the fact she's my daughter has nothing to do with how I treat her? She does not deserve special treatment just because she is my blood. Every pack member is equal, and they must earn their place. What made you decide to ask me such a foolish question? Have you forgotten your place, beta? Do I have to remind you again?"

The threat behind his words was clear, and it made Rommik shudder with a memory from a long time ago. He needed to choose his words carefully, or the past would repeat itself. But as threatening as this situation was, he cared too much about Kiara to give up now.

"That won't be necessary, Alpha, but this has been bothering me for quite some time." He inhaled deeply, eyes focusing on his brother. "Kiara is your daughter, and I'm not telling you to give her special treatment, but you should at least treat her like your daughter. Your actions determine the pack's behavior. They're—"

"I don't care," Konrad cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "If this is not about pack affairs, you may leave."

Rommik sensed that Konrad's patience was wearing thin. But Konrad needed to realize his actions had consequences. The pack members were growing restless. The years of mistreatment had boiled down into this. Rommik was hearing whispers. If Konrad didn't change his ways—

"Konrad, listen to me, please. I have the pack's best interest at heart. You need to lighten up. The rules you're trying to enforce are straining the pack. They're there for our protection, but it doesn't feel like that anymore. There's no peace. Instead of seeing you as their protector, they fear you. Don't you sense the rising turmoil, Brother?"

Konrad slammed his palms on the table, causing everything to rattle. "Careful, beta. I'm in no mood to listen to this crap. I don't have time for it."

Rommik clenched his jaw. "You can't shut me out forever, Brother." His voice had been climbing and had almost reached its peak. "Times have changed. Most of these rules don't even apply to us anymore. The pack is suffering. Can't you see what it is doing to them? Your strict rule is causing infighting. The only thing that's stopping them is the fear they have of you. You don't need these harsh rules to maintain your authority."

You don't have to be a tyrant.

Rommik didn't say that though.

Konrad jumped to his feet, a snarl contorting his face. "I don't care what they think of me. My job is to protect them and provide for them." He circled the table. "And I'm doing just that. We are one of the most powerful packs in existence. The rules were created for a reason. We've followed them for generations. Anyone who tries to challenge them will meet the same fate she did."

Konrad's voice boomed as he came to a stop right in front of him. Rommik knew the wolves outside could hear them clearly. His brother had done that deliberately, another show of his authority.

Konrad leaned in to grab Rommik's chin in a tight grip, claws digging into his skin and drawing blood. "Know your place, beta, and think twice before you question me. These rules apply to you too. I won't be as lenient next time." His brother cocked his head to the side. "Unless you think you would be a better alpha? You're always welcome to challenge me."

Rommik opened and closed his mouth, trying to come up with a reply. Konrad's smirk continued to grow.

"What? Cat got your tongue, Brother?" He let go of him.

"This is not what our father would have wanted," he whispered in a defeated tone.

Konrad's fists clenched by his sides, eyes darkening at the mention of their father. "Our father is dead. This is my pack now. Leave. Unless you do wish to challenge me?"

Konrad was taunting him. He knew he was the strongest wolf in the pack. No one could win against him in a challenge. Rommik shrank further down in his seat. His mind was in turmoil, but there wasn't anything more he could do here. Their conversation was over. Feeling defeated, he stood and left the office, his head hanging low.

How ignorant could his brother be? His pack was splitting apart. A few brave ones had come to Rommik to share their concerns. Many wanted to leave the pack, only staying because of the penalty for desertion. They would be marked for death as soon as they left their pack lands. No one escaped unscathed.

"Any luck?" Kian, Rommik's younger brother, asked when he saw him outside. He was waiting on the narrow path that led to their respective homes.

He smiled at him with a hopeful look. Kian was still optimistic that their brother would have a change of heart. But, instead of answering him, Rommik just shook his head.

"Sorry," he mouthed, glancing back at the direction he'd come from.

Konrad wouldn't be able to suppress these wolves for much longer. He couldn't continue to treat them unjustly. Change was inevitable. And it would destroy his brother. Not even Konrad had the power to stop it. History was proof enough of that.

Rommik put a hand on Kian's shoulder. "Let's go."