Chapter 3

Eight years ago, we left our packs behind and built the first camp on barren land in the north.

Back then, Holton had no pack backing him. Not enough warriors willing to follow.

And I had just finished my coming-of-age trial, with a stable border hunter position waiting for me.

I could have stayed. Lived a quiet life.

But I couldn't stand watching him out there alone.

So I gave up everything. Took every coin my mother had left me and helped him build the first cabin with my own hands.

That night, the wind and snow nearly killed the fire.

I picked up a piece of charcoal and wrote two names on a rough wooden plank.

"Irene."

"Holton."

Below them, the name we gave the pack. Silver Moon.

Holton stood behind me, chin resting on my shoulder.

He smiled. "Whatever you want to build here, I'm with you."

After that, Silver Moon grew. Year by year.

Holton recruited warriors and defended the territory. I handled every negotiation with neighboring packs, tracked down herbs, food, weapons.

At the worst of it, I'd hit three border camps in a single day. Finish one negotiation, ride through the night to the next.

Holton had his own battles. He once led a patrol through a blizzard alone.

That's how we got through it. One day at a time.

Until Silver Moon had its own territory. Its own council hall. Its own Elder Council.

Until today. When Holton told me everything here was his call.

I looked at him and actually laughed.

"Holton, do you have any idea what you just said?"

His expression was cold. "I know exactly what I said."

"Then have you forgotten who carved Silver Moon's name onto that first piece of wood with you?"

"Doesn't matter if you have."

I picked up the oath scroll. My voice was terrifyingly calm.

"I'll make you remember."

Something flickered across Holton's face. His jaw tightened.

"Irene, what exactly are you trying to do?"

I didn't answer.

Because the next second, he pulled the silver wolf fang from around his neck. The one that matched mine. Our promise from the day we founded the pack.

He set it down on the stone table. Hard.

"If you insist on dragging this out, then maybe our mate bond doesn't need to continue either."

The fang hit the stone with a sharp, clean sound.

Something inside my chest slammed just as hard.

I bent down and picked it up. Used the motion of turning away to wipe the tear from the corner of my eye.

When I faced him again, I was steady.

"Fine."

"Starting today, Silver Moon gets her or it gets me."

"If I stay, she goes."

Marlene panicked instantly. She grabbed Holton's arm. "Alpha, I really had no idea you two were like that. I didn't mean any of this..."

The hint of regret on Holton's face vanished the moment he heard her voice. His expression went dark.

He turned on me.

"Irene, why do you have to go after a young warrior like this?"

I looked at him. The corner of my mouth curled into something cold.

"Young warrior? She's been in Silver Moon for six months."

Holton's face got even uglier.

"Irene, do you really have to be this vicious?"

I looked at him.

The truth was, I could be much more vicious than this.