RYKER

Her expression shifted from embarrassed anger to genuine concern. "What do you mean Alpha Corvin wants to ship Amaris back?"

"Exactly what you heard," I repeated, not elaborating further.

Cole was standing now, picking up the files that had scattered across the floor during whatever activities had been happening on his desk before I arrived and ruined their fun.

Nia’s concern deepened into something closer to panic. "And your brilliant idea is to have her almost murdered? Ryker, this is insane even for you."

"Well if you have a better idea, come up with it," I challenged, spreading my hands. "But you know as well as I do that Alpha Corvin does not go back on his word once he makes a declaration. When he says she leaves by sunset, she leaves by sunset unless something prevents it."

"This is so messed up," Nia muttered, shaking her head.

Cole finished gathering his papers and stood up straight, his professional demeanor returning despite his disheveled appearance. "So what type of accident are we talking about here exactly?"

"Obviously a car accident," I stated like that should have been clear from the beginning. "But I think we should talk to Rowan first. He is the one who actually knows about mechanics and vehicle systems well enough to stage something believable and not get her killed in the process."

Nia’s expression shifted to skepticism, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, how comforting that sounds and do we really want to involve Rowan in this? You know he can be extremely uptight about breaking rules and doing illegal things."

Yes, Rowan could be incredibly uptight about following protocol and maintaining his perfect image.

But Amaris was Rowan’s fated mate too, not just mine. The bond connected her to both of us equally even if neither of us wanted to acknowledge that reality. I knew my brother well enough to understand he would do anything to keep her at Gravemoon even if he would never admit it out loud, even if he pretended he wanted to break the bond and marry Lila like a good obedient son.

He was better at lying to himself than I was but the truth underneath all his denial remained exactly the same.

He wanted her just as badly as I did here in the Gravemoon pack.

"Leave my brother to me," I instructed with confidence. "I will talk to him and convince him this is necessary. You two just meet me at the car lot in thirty minutes."

I turned to leave for real this time and then paused at the doorway, unable to resist one more jab at their expense.

I smiled over my shoulder at both of them. "That should be enough time for you to finish what you started and even go for a second round if you are quick about it."

"You are a psychopath Ryker," Nia’s voice echoed behind me as I walked out into the hallway.

I chuckled and let the door close on whatever response she was preparing to throw at me next, already moving on to the next phase of my plan.

The hallway was empty as I made my way toward Rowan’s room, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls in the quiet afternoon. Most of the pack was either working or training or handling whatever responsibilities kept Gravemoon functioning.

Rowan was someone who followed rules religiously, who colored inside every line and never crossed boundaries he was not supposed to cross. He had built his entire identity around being the responsible twin, the one my mother could count on, the one my father might actually respect enough to name Alpha.

But I knew he would not want Amaris to leave either.

No matter how much he pretended he wanted to break the mate bond and go through with his engagement to Lila like nothing had changed, Rowan was still drawn to Amaris in ways he could not control or suppress no matter how hard he tried.

I had seen it this morning when she walked into the boardroom, and the way his eyes avoided eye contact with her yet slipped at every opportunity to steal a wide glance at her. He was infatuated with her.

My brother was fighting a losing battle against the bond and I fully planned to use that weakness to my advantage right now.

I took the last turn approaching Rowan’s room and stopped mid-stride.

A familiar scent hit me all at once, so strong it made my wolf snarl and push violently against my ribs demanding I do something destructive.

Apples and lavender and peaches mixed together in a combination that could only mean one thing.

Amaris was in Rowan’s room right now.

Rage boiled through me. It was completely overwhelming, my hands clenching into fists so tight my nails cut into my palms. My vision actually went red around the edges as I processed what that meant, what they might be doing behind that closed door.

I did not even knock or announce my presence or give them any warning.

My hand shot out and grabbed the handle, yanking the door open with enough force that it slammed against the wall and probably left a dent in the plaster.

Then I froze.

For the first time in my life I actually froze completely, my brain temporarily unable to process what my eyes were showing me.

Rowan was on top of Amaris on his bed.

Shirtless.

Her legs were wrapped around his waist and her hands were tangled in his hair, pulling him closer while soft desperate moans escaped her lips as his mouth intertwined with hers.

They were so focused on devouring each other they had not heard me open the door, had not noticed me standing there in the doorway watching them move together like they had been made for this for a good two seconds.

Then reality crashed back in and they registered my presence simultaneously.

They broke apart immediately, both of them startled.

Rowan pushed himself up and off of her, his chest heaving and his hair completely messed up from her hands. He turned to look at me and shock covered every inch of his face.

"Ryker—"