CHAPTER 1 - LITTLE CANARY

(Adeline’s POV)

“Dwarf, hurry up!”

Juan’s voice thundered from downstairs. Irritation laces every word.

I rolled my eyes while struggling to clasp the back of my dress. It was already 7 p.m., and clearly, he was getting impatient.

Let him wait.

He was the one who dragged me to his hockey team’s victory celebration. I could’ve stayed home, ordered takeout, and watched trashy reality TV.

Finally, done.

I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs.

“Stop calling me Dwarf,” I snapped as my heels clicked against the stairs.

Juan’s scowl shifted into shock the moment his eyes landed on me.

“What the hell are you wearing?!” he demanded, eyes narrowing.

“It’s called a dress,” I said innocently, twirling slightly. “You know, the thing normal girls wear to parties?”

Juan stalked over, grabbing a jacket from the coat rack.

“Fucking don’t care. Wear this.”

I frowned. “Why? It’s not like I’m naked!”

“You want all the alphas there to finish you off in the fucking bed?!” His tone sharpened. “Wear a blazer or something to cover it up, or I'll drag you back upstairs and put you in dad’s most terrifying clothes.”

His threats were never empty words.

And I know he never jokes around with his words. Having siblings with the lowest level of tolerance makes me so miserable.

I scowled. “I am wearing my blazer. See?” I tugged at the hem of the dark, oversized blazer I’d already thrown over my dress.

He gave me a death glare.

“Good. Keep it on. You stay close to me the whole night. Don’t wander around, don’t be nosyーespecially with Travis.”

“Who’s Travis?” I asked, curious despite myself.

Juan’s jaw ticked. “Just … Don’t talk to him. Don’t flirt, don’t look, don’t breathe near him. He’s dangerous and way beyond your league.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he was already storming out the door—typical Juan.

He thought by shielding me from the world, I’d stay his obedient little sister forever.

The villa was only a short drive away, tucked behind tall hedges with string lights glowing from the backyard. Laughter and music drifted through the air, along with the faint scent of barbecue.

It was bigger than I’d expected—practically a mansion with a pool lit up in neon blue. Everyone looked like they’d walked straight off a magazine cover. Half of them were tall, tattooed, and built like walking mountains of muscle. The other half were girls in tiny dresses, laughing too loudly.

So, these were the friends Juan had kept hidden from me.

Juan’s hand pressed against the small of my back.

“Stay close.”

I ignored him, eyes scanning the crowd. I spotted a group of guys gathered near the pool table, laughing over some dumb inside joke. Then… my eyes landed on him.

Travis.

I didn’t need an introduction to know who he was. His presence practically commanded attention. Dark hair slicked back, sharp jawline, lean yet powerful build. His cold gaze swept the crowd like a predator, but when it landed on me, it softened, just a little. Curious… and dangerous.

It was the first time I understood why Juan wanted to keep me locked away.

A few guys whistled as we passed. “Damn, Juan, when did your sister grow up?” one of them joked.

“She's got a boyfriend yet?” another chimed in.

Juan’s grip on me tightened. “You touch her, you die. That goes double for you, Travis,” he said with a pointed glare.

Travis raised a glass, completely unfazed, the corners of his lips twitching like he found Juan’s anger amusing.

"Well, at least introduce her formally," they said.

I intended to extend my hand for a handshake, but Juan snatched my hand back to my side. Quite roughly.

His sharp glare at me was like a laser that almost killed me.

"Adeline Leonder," I introduced myself.

"As beautiful as she is."

Some of them whistled. Then they grinned meaningfully, which for some reason made me shudder. But their enthusiastic reaction made me quite proud.

It seems like they know me better than I know them.

At least that's why Juan never let me meet his friends.

Even when they were at home. Juan, with intimidation and harsh warnings, ordered me to stay in my room or leave the house within a certain period of time.

That's fucking crazy.

But that's what happened to me.

In the hands of my crazy, overprotective brother. The legal psychopath of our family.

I stuck close to Juan for the first hour, but soon he was distracted, laughing with his teammates and getting pulled into drinking games. I, on the other hand, hovered by the pool, nibbling on snacks, bored out of my mind.

That’s when Travis appeared beside me, holding out a drink.

“Orange juice,” he said smoothly.

I eyed it suspiciously. “Yeah, no thanks. If Juan catches me with that, I’ll be grounded for life.”

Travis leaned in slightly, his eyes glinting under the party lights.

“Relax, Little Canary.”

“Excuse me?” I arched my brow.

He smirked. “That purple dress… You look like a little canary trying to look fierce.”

“Wow, smooth. You really know how to charm a girl.” I folded my arms, turning away.

But he just laughed, low and rich. “I meant it as a compliment. You’re adorable when you’re annoyed.”

I pressed my lips together. “Juan told me to stay away from you.”

“Of course, he did.” Travis’s smile turned wolfish. “Because he knows I don’t play nice.”

I glanced up, defiant. “And here you are, trying to ‘not play nice’ with me.”

He tilted his head, pretending to think.

“Do I look like I’m trying to get you into bed?”

“Yes,” I deadpanned. “Your face literally says, ‘I want to fucking break you.’”

“God, you’re cute. Feisty too.” Travis threw his head back and chuckled.

I grabbed the drink from his hand.

“I’ll prove to you I’m not a kid.”

Bad decision.

One drink turned into two. Two into… I stopped counting after four. The world around me grew softer, lighter. My head buzzed, and my cheeks hurt from smiling too much.

Travis stayed close, occasionally tossing playful comments my way. I could hear Juan’s voice somewhere in the background, but it was too far to care.

I giggled as I leaned against the pool railing.

“You know… you’re not as scary as Juan said.”

Travis’s grin widened. “Oh, Little Canary… you’ve barely seen anything yet.”