The Merchant They All Betrayed , Now They're BeggingChapter 1
My brother was the kind of wolf who thought himself above the frost and snow. The Crown Alpha, the she-wolf every bloodline heir in the realm would kill to be mated to? He found the whole thing beneath him.
He rogue-bonded with a traveling performer from a wandering pack instead.
Me, though? I was the vulgar one.
After I mated into the Ashenveil Pack in my brother's place, I spent every waking hour tallying moon-coins and building trade routes.
In just one year, the Crown Alpha's territory overflowed with gold and resources, her trading packs spanning the entire Cindervane Realm.
Even the old gate-warden ate fresh meat three times a moon cycle.
The Crown Alpha declared before everyone:
"Meeting Ashton Duskborne was the greatest fortune of my life."
Trade was booming. Then my brother came back, alone, with nothing but a worn cloth bundle on his back. His scent hit me before I saw him — jasmine oil and old vellum and something cloying underneath, like overripe plums left too long in the sun. Sweeter than I remembered. Sicker.
He jabbed a finger at my face:
"A wolf who reeks of commerce like you, and you think you deserve to be the Crown Alpha's consort?
"You've turned this entire territory into a den of greed! Have you given a single thought to the Crown Alpha's reputation?"
With that, he dropped to his knees before the Crown Alpha:
"My brother is crude and unworthy. He has tarnished Your Highness's good name! I am willing to take over the household and restore dignity to this territory!"
The Crown Alpha looked at my brother's refined, austere face. His wolf was striking in the way moon-singers always were — lean and silver-pale, built for beauty rather than battle.
Her cheeks flushed.
"Granted."
A bond rejection decree landed on the table.
I became the laughingstock of Moonhaven.
I didn't argue. Didn't make a scene. I packed my things and left like I was told.
So why did they all come begging me to come back?
……
When Crown Alpha Rowena Ashenveil said "Granted,"
I was caught off guard.
I had rolled up my sleeves and poured myself into running her territory for an entire year.
She had praised me more than once in front of others.
She said I was the greatest fortune of her life.
And now, after one look at my brother's face,
she was ready to hand him everything?
Edric slid me a sidelong glance, dripping with contempt.