Chapter 1

At the Black Moon pack's annual gala, crystal chandeliers cast a glittering light over the clinking glasses and swirling gowns.

Fenris had finally allowed me to attend, but I was an hour late.

It wasn't intentional. The poison in my system had flared up again, and I'd spent the last hour vomiting blood in my apartment's bathroom.

"Everyone, tonight I want to extend a special thanks to someone."

It was Fenris's voice.

He stood in the center of the ballroom, a champagne flute in hand, his gaze settling softly on Vanessa in the crowd.

"Ten years ago, when my pack was on the brink of annihilation, it was Vanessa and her family who saved me in my darkest hour. Without them, the Black Moon pack would not exist today."

Thunderous applause filled the hall.

Every step toward them was like walking on knives. A fresh wave of agony tore through my chest, and I couldn't tell if it was the poison or the desperate wail of my rejected mate bond.

He was my Alpha, my fated mate, yet I was forced to stand in the corner like a stranger, watching him give another woman a look of tenderness that should have been mine.

Vanessa, draped in a scarlet gown, lowered her head demurely, accepting the praise and reverence of the crowd.

She was sitting in the Luna's seat. The seat that was meant for me.

"Vanessa is not only my savior," Fenris's gaze swept the room, finally landing on me, "she is a true hero in my heart. While some people…"

He paused, his eyes flashing with disgust.

"...exist only as a living reminder that blood must be paid for with blood."

All eyes turned to me. A chorus of whispers erupted.

"The last of the Silver Crest pack…"

"I heard her father was the butcher…"

"The Alpha is merciful. I heard he could have executed her, but he let her live as a servant instead."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The force of his will slammed into me, and the Silverthorn Toxin in my veins began to churn, flowing like molten lead through my body.

"Freya," Vanessa's sweet voice called out. "What are you doing hiding in the corner? Come here."

She beckoned to me, her face a mask of false concern.

I walked toward her under the scrutiny of the entire room, each step an agony.

"You look so tired," Vanessa said, taking my arm. Her nails dug into my skin, hidden from view. "It's such a shame. Our Alpha sees you as his enemy, but me as his savior. His hero. Don't worry, though. Once I'm officially the Luna, I'll take very good care of you."

Her voice was a venomous whisper only I could hear.

Then, she raised her voice. "Freya, that moonstone pendant around your neck is beautiful. It must be a family heirloom, isn't it?"

It was my mother's. The sacred relic of the Silver Crest pack, passed down through generations.

"May I have a look?" Vanessa asked, reaching for it. "I'm fascinated by antique jewelry."

I took a step back. "It's…"

"What?" She blinked innocently. "I can't even look? Or do you think I'm not worthy?"

"Freya. Take it off and give it to her." Fenris was suddenly standing behind me.

I froze.

"I said, take it off. Give it to her," he repeated, his gaze a physical weight on my back. His voice crashed into my mind through our bond—a cold, undeniable Alpha command.

Under his authority, my body moved against my will. My hands trembled as I unclasped the chain and placed it around Vanessa's neck myself.

As the moonstone touched her collarbone, its light instantly dimmed—as if it knew it was with the wrong person.

"Thank you for putting it on me," she said with a brilliant smile. "It's a perfect fit."

Fenris nodded in satisfaction, completely missing the fact that the gem had lost its luster.

Just then, a passing server stumbled, and a splash of red wine hit my dress. The crimson liquid dripped down my skirt, staining the floor like a pool of blood.

A few wolves in the crowd started to jeer. "Well, since your dress is ruined, why not sing a song to congratulate our future Luna!"

"Yeah, I heard the Silver Crest princess had a lovely voice!"

"Let's hear it!"

More and more voices joined the chorus.

I looked at Fenris, hoping he would intervene, but he made no move to stop them. After all, a captive like me was expected to perform.

His voice came through the mental link again, sharp and cruel. "Don't spoil their fun. You perform when I tell you to. This is no different."

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and began to sing.

Amid the mocking laughter of the crowd, under Fenris's icy stare, and through the tearing pain of my rejected mate bond, I sang the ancient song of blessing from my pack.

For the she-wolf who had taken my place.

My voice trembled, each note like swallowing shards of glass. The tartness of the wine mixed with the metallic tang of blood rising in my throat. The pain from the bond was so intense I could barely continue.

"Enough," Fenris finally said after what felt like an eternity.

I stopped, my throat raw and dry.

The pack grew restless, someone jeering, "Why'd she stop? We haven't heard enough!"

"I said, enough." Fenris's authority crashed down on the jeering wolves. "Since when do you give orders to my woman?"

His inner wolf was stirring, and the hall fell deathly silent.

The gala ended soon after. Fenris's black Maybach was waiting at the hotel entrance.

"Get in," he said, his face a blank mask.

"Quite the performance," he sneered from the seat across from me. "You're getting good at putting on a show."

I leaned back against the leather, the poison churning inside me. My chest was so tight I could barely breathe.

"If you have something to say, say it," he scowled. "Don't play dead with me."

I opened my mouth, wanting to argue, wanting to tell him the truth.

But what came out wasn't words.

It was blood.

Black blood, flecked with shimmering silver dust, gushed from my mouth.

I collapsed onto the seat, my vision blurring.

"Freya!"

Before I lost consciousness, I thought I saw a flash of panic in Fenris's eyes. His hand reached for me, trembling. The mate bond wouldn't let him completely ignore my suffering.

"I swear, if you're faking this..."

"Until your family's blood debt is paid, you don't get to die. Do you hear me?"