Chapter 1

Three years ago, Arthur swore a blood oath at the Moon Altar.

No other she-wolf would ever touch him. Only me. Forever.

Three years later, he drugged me with wolfsbane wine, stole my Alpha Seal, and opened Silver Moon's borders to the Rogues himself.

My parents took silver to the heart. My sister was sold to the Crimson Court. My pack burned.

He crushed my jaw and forced me to watch.

"They called me your lap dog. I destroyed you to prove I was no dog."

He thought he had all the time in the world to break me.

He didn't know. When I had pulled him from that Rogue ambush in the ice, a moonstone shard had pierced my heart.

I had three days left to live.

...

I climbed out of a window of Arthur's fortress. I only wanted a few of my family's things from the ruins.

My pack was gone. The valuables had been stripped. Only personal scraps remained, too worthless to bother with.

I was afraid my parents would be cold in the next life. I was afraid my sister would have nothing to wear.

But when I reached the ruins, the place was crawling with people. Voices everywhere. Arthur's laugh cut through the air. My chest seized.

He saw me walk in. He paused, cigar between his fingers.

That powerful body slouched in a chair. He raised one hand in lazy greeting.

"Well. The orphan came to her own family's auction."

My fists went white. I could not believe what I was hearing.

"What did you say? Arthur. Those were your mate's parents and sister."

His eyes went cold. "Your pack used my name to climb. They never treated me like a real mate."

He pulled a flushed Omega against his chest.

"Chloe. Bid on whatever you want. I'll cover it."

On the auction block sat my mother's silver bracelet. Her wedding torque. The bone comb she had used since she was a girl.

Chloe's eyes went greedy. She lifted her paddle.

"Fifty thousand. Alpha, I want those."

A Beta she-wolf named Mia faked tears.

"Can I have them instead? They're so beautiful."

Arthur laughed.

"Chloe is new. Mia, let her have these. I'll get you the next set. Bid on anything. If someone outbids you, come to me. I'll pay the difference."

The she-wolves erupted. Paddles flew. My mother's life was carved up in minutes. I stood there. I did nothing.

Then they brought my sister's bloodied dress to the platform.

"Premium item. Bid on this and receive the recording from that night. Starting at one hundred thousand."

The spoiled Alphas raised their paddles. Their eyes went hot in a way they couldn't hide.

The she-wolves rolled theirs.

"Disgusting. A dead Omega's clothes? I wouldn't touch it. I might catch something."

Mia turned to Arthur with a vicious smile.

"Arthur, why don't you buy it for Selene? She has nothing. She probably can't even afford clothes anymore. Better to wear her sister's than walk around naked."

Arthur's mouth curved. The contempt in his eyes was total.

"Done. Whatever it costs."

He hooked one finger through the dress. He threw it at my face. The recording crystal landed at my feet.

"Your pack is ash. Take it home and study the footage. You might need to sell yourself soon. Learn the poses now."

I laughed. At myself.

"I told you once I was afraid of pain. You swore that blood oath for me. And now you can say that to my face."

Arthur made a sound of contempt.

"Are you stupid? I cut myself and swore that oath because I didn't want to touch you. I found you disgusting. I needed an excuse. You actually believed it."

Something in my chest tore open. I almost blacked out.

So heartbreak does make a sound.

My dignity ground under his heel. My soul hollow.

I pressed a hand to my chest. My face went white. I sank to the floor. Arthur stepped over me without breaking his stride.

"Stop the act. Everyone who ever loved you is already dead."

I called after him.

"Wait."

"The next item. Whatever it costs. I'll cover it."