“I was hacked. Technically. By myself.”
Harper rolled her eyes. “That’s not how hacking works and you know it.”
He couldn’t stop staring at her. The mating mark on her neck was clearly visible, showcased by the wider neckline she’d cut out of her black t-shirt. It was a constant reminder that she’d chosen him. That she’d looked at everything he was—dominant, possessive, traditional—and said yes.
The rooftop restaurant occupied the top floor of the corporate tower next to the TalkToMe headquarters, all glass walls and artful greenery designed to make wealthy executives feel like they were dining in a garden rather than ten stories above Behemoth City. White tablecloths gleamed in the afternoon light and waitstaff in crisp uniforms moved silently between the tables.
It was exactly the kind of place he usually hated. Today, he couldn’t bring himself to care.
“You’re doing it again,” Derek said quietly, pitching his voice below the women’s conversation.
“Doing what?”
“Smiling. It’s unnerving.”
He schooled his features into something more neutral. Or at least he tried to. His mouth kept twitching upwards without permission. “Shut up.”
“I’ve known you for twenty-eight years. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen you smile like that.” Derek’s expression softened with something that might have been pride. “It suits you.”
“Don’t get sentimental.”
“Too late. Julie’s already planning the mating ceremony.”
His gaze cut to his brother’s mate, who was currently demonstrating something on her phone to Harper—probably more embarrassing photos, given Derek’s pained expression.
“The pack hasn’t accepted her yet.”
“They will.”
“The Elders?—”
“Will come around or be overruled.” Derek sipped his whiskey with infuriating calm. “You’re the Alpha, Adrian. Your choice of mate isn’t up for committee approval.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“It’s exactly that simple. You’ve spent so long trying to be the leader they expected that you forgot you get to decide what kindof leader you actually are.” Derek set down his glass. “Father let the Elders dictate his choices. Look where that got him.”
The mention of their father sent a familiar twist through his gut. Robert Moonstone had been a good man, a strong Alpha, until Vivienne had twisted him into something unrecognizable. Until the pack’s rigid traditional ways had given her the weapons she needed to nearly destroy them all.
“Harper isn’t Vivienne.”
“No,” Derek agreed. “She isn’t. So stop treating your situation like it’s the same.”
Before he could respond, Harper turned towards him, her grey eyes bright behind her glasses.
“Julie says you used to be afraid of heights.”
He shot his brother a betrayed look. “That was confidential.”
“Nothing’s confidential from mates,” Julie said cheerfully. “Pack law, I’m pretty sure.”
“It’s definitely not pack law.”
“It should be.” Harper reached across the table to squeeze his hand, and even that brief contact sent warmth flooding through him. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. Mostly.”
“Mostly?”
“I might use it for leverage during future arguments.” Her grin was unrepentant. “A girl needs advantages.”
