One

FAITH

I waved eagerly at my little sister, Sable, as she entered the ballroom. She looked stunning in her gown and walked with all the confidence of a queen as she strode toward me and my mate.

She looked so proud of the sacrifice she was making for the pack, but I was terrified for her since I knew the truth.

White wolves were rare and often fought over between packs. It was rumored that we were descendants of wolves mating with witches, and for as long as I could remember, I had been told that it was an honor to be able to use our gifts to benefit and protect our people.

I had been proud to turn eighteen and receive my gift, only to be devastated when I found out it was all a lie once they placed the cursed amulet on me.

My hand moved to the necklace resting on my chest, thrumming with magic, connecting my power to my mate and locking it away from me. 

The delicate metal was thin, yet its enchantment made it just as strong as silver chains. No matter what I did, I couldn’t take it off, and I couldn’t resist the pull when Ryan used the matching amulet around his neck to take my power for himself. 

At least he was conscious of its effect on me when using my magic and was careful not to take too much at once.

Sable’s fate was much worse. She had been betrothed to another Alpha, Alpha Cain.

Ryan had wanted an alliance with him for years, and once Sable turned of age, Ryan jumped at the chance to use her as a bargaining chip to get what he wanted. 

Alpha Cain was a monster of a man with a reputation for his mates dying. I had my suspicions that he killed them, as did most, but he had never admitted to it. 

Sable would be mate number four, and the fact that his wolf survived one mate’s death, let alone three, was terrifying. 

No wolf should be that strong. 

Since learning of Ryan’s plan, I had begged him and prayed to the Goddess every day to spare Sable but my pleas had gone unanswered. 

“Alpha Jones,” Sable said, dipping her head to Ryan in submission, but instead of looking down, she held his gaze from beneath her lashes. 

My wolf stirred, not liking how she looked at him, but I knew she was just being arrogant. She had no idea what would happen to her, and I was under the Alpha’s command not to tell her. 

Sable thought she was a trophy to be gifted away and cherished… a queen when she was really only a pawn. She was young, foolish, and power-hungry, thinking she could change him and be the one to stand by his side as Luna.

The double doors burst open loudly, making me jump as a swarm of warriors marched in. They had at least shown the decency of wearing suits, but they were late, loud, rude, and aggressive.

I clenched Ryan’s hand tightly as the Blackstone Pack dispersed among the crowd. There was a chorus of feminine squeaks, muffled cries, and gasps of surprise as the warriors made themselves at home, grabbing and groping the women nearest them with deep masculine laughter that promised their victims’ misery.

Surely, we could find a better ally, but no matter how often I approached Ryan about it, he told me not to overstep. He was the rightful Alpha, but even as his Luna, I was nothing more than a prisoner. A slave to be used whenever he wanted. 

“Please don’t do this to her, Ryan,” I whispered, and he turned to glare at me. I knew it wasn’t the right time. We had fought about this too many times to count, but this was my last chance. “She’s only eighteen. She isn’t strong enough to survive him.”

Alpha Cain wasn’t just violent. He was old enough to be our father or, potentially even our grandfather.

Some people made age gaps that large work, but Sable was innocent. Until today, she had always acted shy around men and stood close to Ryan and me for support. Whenever they would approach her, she would blush and look away, refusing to entertain them.

"This is not the time, nor is it your place," Ryan growled down at me, and I nodded, lowering my head slightly. It wasn't enough to submit, but it calmed him for now.

“Alpha Jones,” Alpha Cain said from behind me. His deep voice washed over me, and I had to resist the urge to shiver in fear. Just hearing his voice made me feel like the tip of a blade was being dragged down my spine.

He didn’t bother to address me or Sable. He never acknowledged the women around him.

In the short time that we had been working with his pack, they had made it clear that women should speak only when spoken to and were only good for breeding, cooking, and cleaning.

It was archaic and despicable.

“Glad you could make it,” Ryan said with a broad smile as he shook Alpha Cain’s large and scarred hand. The scar running down his cheek glinted in the light as if there was a shard of metal still in there from whatever had caused it, and his right eye was a lighter color than his left from the injury.

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this.” Alpha Cain said, looking my little sister up and down before doing the same to me. 

It was disrespectful for him to do so when I was a mated woman and even more so for him to do it when his betrothed was standing right next to me, but he had no shame as he licked his lips. He didn’t care about her. He only wanted her power. It was the same thing every wolf wanted from us.

“Wonderful. Then, I say we make this quick so we can go on celebrating the good news.” Ryan said, holding his empty hand out to Sable. She placed hers in it, glancing at me from the corner of her eye before my mate guided the two of us to the center of the room.

The dancing stopped, and the room went silent as our people stared eagerly, waiting for the news.

The pack dipped their heads in respect before Ryan spoke.

“Thank you all for coming!” Ryan said, his voice carrying through the room as he glanced around. “It is an honor to have the Blackstone Pack with us tonight to celebrate our new alliance. Alpha Cain, in honor of our union, I would like to present you with a peace offering to unite our two packs permanently.”

I looked at Sable, seeing her gaze locked firmly on Ryan. She was refusing to even look at Alpha Cain, and I wished I could walk over and comfort her, but I had an image to uphold as Luna.

“However, there has been a slight change in plans,” Ryan said, and I looked at him quickly as hope flooded through me. Had he finally heard me and reconsidered giving her away? He dropped my hand, placing his on Sable’s stomach before meeting my eyes with a smirk. “The intended offering, Sable, is carrying my pup and will need to remain here. I hope you can understand, but I assure you that you will be pleased with her replacement.”