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“What do you want from me?” I asked hollowly.
That’s how I found out that at the ripe age of twenty-nine, I was going to be Goldenrod’s next Administrator of Order—something that no alpha in his right mind could ostensibly want.
When it came down to it, I know that was the big reason no one wanted to question Beebalm.
Of course, he was a power-hungry ass, but to call attention to his unsavory personality meant dooming another Goldenrod alpha to a life as Administrator.
A thankless existence filled with sacrifice, stress, and judgment.
But most importantly, a mateless existence.
Because the Administrator of Order was always the oldest unmated alpha in Goldenrod. If an omega had the misfortune to call to an alpha who’d been appointed Administrator, he’d probably be expected to release her from Goldenrod … just like Beebalm allegedly released his fated mate.
“This is how it has to be,” Marcus sneered after he explained my new lot in life. “It’s about time you Sages made some sort of sacrifice. You owe us.”
He was right; we owed Goldenrod—I owed them.
After all, over the past year, my family has been busy.
We’d murdered.
Escaped.
Conspired.
But most importantly, we’d disrupted the Order.
Once again, it was up to me to settle the Sage family’s debts.
Now, months later, it feels as if I’ve already paid Goldenrod back for my family’s misdeeds ten times over.
It’s a sticky summer afternoon, and I’m sitting behind my father’s desk again—my desk. But this time, instead of confronting the alpha council, I’m dealing with one lone alpha.
Rill.
Apparently, he was introduced to Goldenrod solely to make my life more difficult. I’ve barely had a moment’s rest since he showed his ugly, scarred face in this town.
Since I first met him, I’ve wanted to punch him, which Wyatt assured me was completely understandable.
He’s powerful, smart, and has been through things that you and I can’t possibly imagine, my brother explained. But I’ve never not wanted to punch him.
He also doesn’t think much of Goldenrod or the Order. And there’s nothing like the feeling you get after devoting your life to something … only to have someone else dismiss it with a wave of his calloused hand.
“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you,” I groan as I lean back in my chair. He followed me here all the way from my office, jabbering my ear off, proselytizing about the real world. “If you and your alphas are going to live in Goldenrod, you have to follow the Order.”
He barks out loud laugh. “The Order … it’s not how the rest of the world deals with matings, brother. It’s sick to try to control them this much.”
I roll my eyes, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.
He’s pissed because a handful of his alphas have found fated mates in Goldenrod—including Nick, the alpha who’s currently mated with my little sister, Stella.
They’re not happy that they can’t just swoop omegas away without any sort of ceremony or promises.
At first, it seemed like Rill, as their leader, would encourage them to go along with the Order, but all that’s gone out the window recently and he’s fighting it within an inch of his life.
He doesn’t understand that we have these rules for a reason … even if I’m having a hard time remembering what that reason is lately.
“This is what life in Goldenrod is like,” I say firmly, attempting to fill my voice with as much certainty as possible. “If you and your alphas can’t handle it, then leave. Simple as that.”
