Killian was furious over Athaliah’s announcement. The contest at the pack had not even taken place yet, but she had already made it seem as though her decision was final.

No. He could not allow that, especially when his pack desperately needed her money. Killian knew Athaliah was worth more than six hundred billion CFA francs.

Her wealth alone could pull him out of the debt he owed the Cosa Nostra mafia in Italy. He had made several bad business decisions, and the consequences were now catching up with him and dragging the pack down with him. If he did not find a way out soon, he could lose his position as Alpha.

His father never let him forget it. The old man constantly reminded him that the position rightfully belonged to Corvine, the true heir. The only thing working in Killian’s favor was that Corvine did not even know about his connection to the Nightshade Pack.

Still, Corvine did not need to depend on his family’s wealth. Seraphine had already made him the CEO of MindNest.

He had no reason to chase money, and just when Killian thought he finally had some advantage over him, Alpha Voren coldly announced Corvine as his Co-Alpha. It was as if Corvine had been destined to become an Alpha.

What no one knew was that the announcement had shaken Killian’s father.

The pack’s businesses were failing in both the human world and werewolf society, and his father had made his threat painfully clear.

If Killian failed to win the princess’s hand, he would return the leadership of the pack to its rightful owner. Corvine.

Athaliah’s resources and her family’s power could lift the Nightshade Pack out of the mess it was drowning in and that was why Killian had been forced to step out of the shadows and attend a public event like the Full Moon Festival.

He hated events like that but knowing Liah would be there, he had made his first public appearance in a long time.

What he discovered there, however, was that someone even richer than Liah existed. Seraphine.

Unfortunately, Voren had already claimed her. How could anyone have known that the woman Ravyn had discarded so casually possessed that much power?

Everything Seraphine touched seemed to turn to gold. She had the kind of influence people spent lifetimes trying to build. But it was too late for Killian to pursue that opportunity. As for Liah, though, he would be damned before he let Corvine win.

Making his way backstage, Killian knew there was a chance someone would try to stop him, so he came prepared. A few thugs followed behind him, their intimidating presence enough to make most people think twice.

“Everyone, get out.” His gaze swept across the room. Several people were still changing, and when none of them made any move to leave, Killian glanced toward the men behind him.

That was all the order they needed. At the sight of the thugs stepping forward, everyone hurried toward the exit. Everyone except one man, Liah’s bodyguard. The thugs immediately surrounded him, overpowering him before he could reach Killian.

“What’s going on there?” Liah’s voice came from one of the changing rooms, a smirk tugged at Killian’s lips as he headed toward the voice.

He pushed his way inside just as she had stepped out of the jumpsuit she wore earlier and was reaching for something more comfortable. Killian snatched the dress from her hand.

His eyes traveled over her half-naked body, desire surging through him. She was not only beautiful. She was sexy as hell.

For a moment, he wondered whether Brad would still want to keep that redhead as a side chick if he saw just how tempting Liah looked. The thought barely settled before his expression darkened. No. This was his game.

He had only accepted the help of the other Alphas because he wanted Liah to become helpless enough to run to him. He had never expected Corvine, or even Voren and his entire family, to step in and rescue the situation.

From the statistics and everything reported by the media, Liah had made more from this runway show than from any of the previous ones she had held.

Customers loved the new faces because they brought freshness and excitement to the entire event. And the launch of the software had been enough to push competing fashion houses aside.

“Get out, Killian!” Athaliah’s teeth clenched as fury flashed across her face. She reached for another dress from the clothing rack, but Killian snatched that one too. “You are so sexy.”

The words slipped from him as his eyes remained fixed on her. He could not stop staring. A body like hers could attract more customers than any model she hired. Why did she even need them when she—

“Killian, my dad would know about this.” The mention of her father ripped him out of his sinful thoughts.

His expression hardened as he stepped closer. “Now that you mention it, why did you announce Corvine as your fiancé?” His eyes narrowed. “Only your father has the right to decide who you marry.”

Athaliah reached for another dress, but the moment her fingers closed around it, Killian snatched it away again. Her hand flew across his face.

The slap echoed through the changing room. “Get the fuck out of here!” Her light green eyes burned red with rage as she grabbed the dress back from him. But before she could put it on, Killian seized her by the waist and yanked her against his chest.

Athaliah gasped, struggling against him as his arm tightened around her. His grip was so hard that she found it difficult to breathe. “What makes him so special,” Killian taunted, towering over her, his lips close to hers. “Did he fuck you? If he did, then I should too, because your judgment is clouded.”

He was about to press his lips to hers when Athaliah pressed her two fingers into his eyes.

“Fucking bitch,” Killian yelled as he lost his grip, but the punch he sent to her face caused her to lose her balance when her ankle twisted due to the five-inch stilettos she wore.

“Arhhhh,” she cried when her face crashed into the clothing racks. “Liah,” a familiar voice was suddenly heard as warmth filled her heart, but before she could alert Corvine of the exact changing room in which she was, Killian quickly pressed his hand over her mouth and pulled her up.

With her twisted ankle, Liah could only stand on one leg, but she bit Killian’s hand over her mouth hard, causing him to groan as he released her.

She mistakenly stepped on her injured leg and screamed, “Arhhh,” before falling on her butt on the fallen clothes rack.

Before Killian could reach for her again, his hair was roughly pulled from the back. “Fuck you, Killian, I’ll kill you,” Corvine roared, his eyes red.

Even Liah was afraid because she never saw him like this before, but she was glad Corvine didn’t even spare her a glance as she tried to get some clothes on. It was too embarrassing.

“I fucked her, and I enjoyed it,” Killian declared mockingly, trying to free himself from Corvine’s hold, but that was when he realized his mistake….