Chapter One

Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of my life. 

I had waited for this moment for as long as I could remember. 

The night I would officially become Dimitri's mate.

The night I would stand before the pack under the full moon, my heart pounding in my chest as he claimed me. 

I had spent all day preparing, Freya's hands gently weaving silver threads into my hair as she hummed an old lullaby in her soft voice.

Father had been worse than Freya when she saw me in my white wedding dress. He teased me endlessly.

“Woah. You look just like your mother at our own mating ceremony.” He had said with a wide grin. 

“Beautiful?” I replied with a beaming smile.

“Beautiful and nervous as hell.” He added and we both laughed.

“I'm not nervous, father.” I rolled my eyes at him, still laughing.

“Liar,” father smirked, ruffling my already weaved hair. “Your mother cried when she saw me too at our ceremony, you know.”

“And you were what, grinning like you are now?” Freya asked.

“You bet I was.” He winked and I entered, wrapping my arms around him.

I smiled. 

I was loved.

I was safe. 

I had my family, my pack.

If only I had known it would be the last time I'd ever seen them again.

If only I'd known if I'd heard Freya's voice.

The last time I'd see his father's teasing smile. 

The last time I'd ever have a father.

*****

It was close to midnight and the mating ceremony was about to begin. 

The pack had gathered in the square, the sky was clear, letting the soft glow of the full moon bathe us all in silver light. 

My heart pounded with excitement as I looked towards Dimitri. His dark eyes had already locked on mine. I could read the emotion in his eyes — possession. 

I should've been terrified by how much I wanted this marriage, about how much I wanted him, but before I could take a step forward, before I could feel the warmth of his touch or hear the Sacred Vows, the pack erupted into chaos.

The first scream pierced the night air like a sharp blade. 

A second later, the metallic tang of blood and the scent of burning wood filled my nose. 

I turned sharply towards the treeline, my stomach twisting into knots. 

Dark figures emerged from the shadows, their cloaks flowing behind him, their hands lifted in midair, their eerie whispers filling the air.

They were muttering spells.

And spells only meant —

Magic!

Dark magic!

The pack reacted instantly.

Wolves shifted in the blur of fur and muscle, snarling and sneering but the sounds they made did not cut through the terrified cries of our people.

“HELP ME!” A shriek voice echoed in the air and father reacted.

“Dad!” I screamed without thinking. 

No. No, no, no. Don't go!

It was too late.

He was already in motion, shifting into his wolf. His golden fur gleamed under the moonlight as he lunged at the nearest intruder.

But he didn't get his target because —

Fire.

An explosion so violent it sent wolves flying. 

The witches were fast and struck everyone around me without mercy. Their cruel spells ripped through our warriors, a sliver of their magic seared through flesh and bone.

I watched in horror as one of the elders — Harold, the man who had cradled me as a pup, was lifted in midair by invisible hands, his neck snapping before he crumpled to the ground.

I couldn't move.

I couldn't even breathe.

Screams and smoke filled the air. Everywhere I turned, there was blood. Everywhere I looked, I saw death.

Then, I saw Freya, my maid.

She was running towards the packhouse, carrying a pup in her arms. A witch raised a hand in her direction, power crackling in the air. 

“No! Freya!’ I lunged forward.

But —

Before the spell could reach her, father intercepted it.

The impact sent him skidding across the dirt and his body slammed into a tree with a sickening crack.

“Dad!” I screamed. 

The witch, the one who had attacked him, smiled.

“You stupid bitch!” I screamed at her.

I didn't think so.

I didn't care about the chaos raging around me. I just knew I had to get to him. To get to dad.

I dropped to the ground beside and placed my hands over his chest. 

“Dad,” I choked out. “Come on. Stay with me.”

His brows knitted and he groaned, shifting slightly. Blood trickled down his temple as his eyes met mine. But even through the pain and the fact that his blood seeped into the ground beneath him, he managed a soft, lopsided smile.

“Aurelia, you're okay.” He rasped. “You're okay, darling.”

“No, dad.” I began to sob.

Before I could respond, a shadow loomed over us. 

The witch stood above us, her red eyes glowing unnaturally. Her lips curled into a smirk as she lifted her hand.

No!

A blade of dark energy formed in her grip, its jagged edges pulsing with magic, and it was aimed directly at father's chest.

No!

Dad!

I saw my own hand reaching out.

I had been too slow. I had been too late. 

The dagger flew past me and the next thing I heard was the sickening sound of metal ripping through flesh.

Father's body jerked and I screamed. 

“No! No!” I lifted him into my arms. “Come on! Stay with me! Help! Somebody, help me!” 

“Aurelia,” Father whispered, curling his fingers weakly around my wrist. The blade was buried deep in his chest. He was —

For a second, neither of us spoke. 

Neither of us moved. 

For a second, the world around us continued to burn,

For a second, all I could hear was my own heartbeat —

Fast, 

Frantic, 

Breaking. 

“Dad…” I whimpered.

His warm amber eyes met mine and I knew. I knew he was leaving me.

“Aurelia,” he murmured. His voice was weak. His blood soaked my hand, warm and sticky. “Run…” 

His body trembled and then nothing. The light faded from his eyes and his chest stilled.

He was gone.

A scream tore from my lips, something inside of me had shattered. 

Something I'll never get back. Ever.

Warm hands locked around me, pulling me to my feet. 

I knew who that touch belonged to but I fought against him.

“Aurelia, we have to go!”

“No!” I thrashed. “Dad! Dad! Let me go! Dad is —” 

“Dead!” Dmitri snapped, holding tighter. “We have to leave, Aurelia. If we stay, we'll die.” 

 

“No!” I buried my face in Dimitri's chest, my body shaking violently as sobs wracked through me.

Father was dead.

My home was on fire.

My pack was being slaughtered.

And I was powerless to stop any of it.