My Alpha Uncle Died, and a Rogue Claimed My Pack’s FortuneChapter 1

My uncle had no pups of his own, and he had long ago sworn a blood-oath will naming me heir to his vast territory and all its tributes.

But after my uncle's burial rites ended, I returned to his great den-estate, only to have a strange male burst through the doors. He claimed to be my uncle's lawful successor and demanded I leave at once.

"All of Fenris Ashenvale's holdings and territory rights pass to me. You will leave immediately!"

I refused to believe a word of it. I thought him mad—until he produced the blood-oath will.

I stared at two documents bearing identical seals, and immediately summoned the Law-Speaker.

After careful examination, the Law-Speaker looked at me with regret and shook his head. "Young Master Stormshadow, the will you hold has been voided."

My skull felt like it had been split open. Before I could even react, Alaric Ravenhart had already settled onto the great fur-draped seat. With practiced ease, he reached beneath the cushions and found the hidden cache of moon-herb cigars my uncle had secreted there. His fingers moved with familiar grace as he lit one.

I stared hard at the silhouette wreathed in pale smoke—strange and yet somehow achingly familiar—and forced the words out:

"Who are you, really?"

——

Ever since my uncle's wasting curse was diagnosed, the healers had forbidden him from smoking. Every stash in the den had been confiscated.

This hiding spot was known only to my uncle and me.

How could this stranger possibly know of it?

The male across from me wore no expression at all. He merely pointed at the name inscribed on the will.

"Can you not read? I am Alaric Ravenhart, the lawful heir to Fenris Ashenvale's estate. Now—will you leave?"

"Impossible!"

My voice cracked, nearly breaking. "This will must be forged! I demand the Law-Speaker verify its authenticity!"

Dorian Ravenhart examined the documents once more, his expression grave as he nodded. "This blood-oath will is genuine and binding. Alaric Ravenhart is indeed the lawful heir."

The expression on my face froze. I shook my head in disbelief.

"How can this be real? I am the one closest to my uncle. How could he possibly leave everything to you—an outsider?"