Page 132 of Moonlight & Mayhem

Chrome's jaw tightened. “Crown.”

Christmas stared at him. “His name was Crown?”

“It was his road name,” Chrome said.

“What was his real name?” Chris asked. Chrome looked at her. He hadn't spoken his brother’s name in years. He’d never told anyone his brother’s name, not even Howler.

“Elias.” The name felt wrong in his mouth. Too familiar and painful. Christmas's expression softened, and he hated that. Chrome preferred her pissed because he was good at handling her pissed. But her sympathy—fuck that. “Elias was five years older than me,” he continued. “He was supposed to become Alpha.”

Moon frowned. “I thought this was an MC.”

“It became one later,” he said.

“When?” Mayhem asked.

“After I left,” Chrome said.

Mayhem leaned back in his chair. “So Holly Ridge wasn't an MC when you were there?”

“No. It was just a pack,” Chrome said.

“Then what's the Crowned Wolves?” Tempest asked.

“The pack's club,” Chrome said.

Christmas frowned. “Why form an MC?”

“Power, money, territory.” Chrome shrugged. “Normal reasons,” he said.

“Pretty much,” Tempest said.

Howler tapped the table. “What happened to your brother?”

Chrome stared at his hands. He could still see the blood, even after twelve years. Sometimes he still even smelled it. “Elias didn't want to be Alpha.” The room went quiet, and Chrome continued. “He wanted out.”

“And what about you?” Christmas asked.

“I wanted whatever he wanted,” he said.

“That simple?” Chris asked.

“He was my brother.” Her expression changed again, and Chrome looked away. “We planned to leave together.”

Moon's voice was gentle. “What happened?”

Chrome laughed without humor. “What always happens when Holly Ridge finds out someone's leaving.”

Mayhem's expression hardened. “They caught you.”

He shook his head. “They caught him.” Chrome's wolf slammed against his chest, and he shoved him back down. Not now. “They made me watch.”

Christmas went completely still, but Chrome didn't look at her—he couldn’t. “Watch what?” Tempest asked.

He forced the words out. “They executed him.” The silence in the room was heavy. It was the kind that pressed against old wounds until they reopened. Chrome stared at the table. “They put him on his knees in the middle of town. Right in front of the fucking Christmas tree.” Moon inhaled sharply, and Chrome laughed bitterly. “Holly Ridge loves Christmas.”

Christmas frowned. “You said they celebrate the dead.”

“They do.” He looked at her. “December is Remembrance Month.”