Chapter 1

"Since I've withdrawn," I tossed the pen onto the long table and looked at the Head Elder, "I want a permanent pass to leave pack territory, plus a recommendation letter stamped with the council's seal."

The Second Elder frowned. "You're an orphan. And you dare negotiate with the council?"

"It's called a trade." I looked at them calmly. "Kane is bound to the mate contract. If I don't remove myself, your precious Ivy will always be an outsider. One document to send away an inconvenient orphan, in exchange for the long-term stability of your pureblood families. You can do the math better than I can."

The Head Elder was silent for half a second, then immediately summoned the scribe.

They were terrified I'd change my mind.

Ten minutes later, the pass was stamped with the council's blood seal, and the recommendation letter bore the Head Elder's personal signature.

I strode out of the council hall and took a deep breath of the freezing winter air.

I didn't love Kane anymore.

I had money. I had freedom. I no longer needed to play the tail-tucked house pet for a man who would always think I wasn't good enough.

Back in my room, I peeled off the elaborate high-collared gown I'd worn to please the elders' taste, and changed into a tight, fire-red mini dress.

I used the money I'd saved over the years to buy a ticket to the human lands for the next morning. Then I flagged down a car and headed straight for the loudest underground club in town.

I'd been given a second life. I deserved a drink to celebrate it.

The deafening heavy metal drowned out even a werewolf's sharp hearing.

I slapped a stack of cash on the bar and ordered the strongest drinks.

A few young rogue wolves drifted over. One of them, a half-blood boy with gray ears, had bright eyes and a flattering smile.

"Sweetheart, all alone?" He slid a drink toward me, his gaze bold.

I smiled, took the glass, and reached out to pinch his fuzzy ear.

I was about to say something when the music behind me seemed to be cut off by an invisible force.

The club, which had been a writhing mass of bodies, went dead silent.

A suffocating, icy pressure descended from behind me.

It was the absolute dominance of a top-tier Alpha. Every wolf in the room froze, trembling uncontrollably.

"You just now," a voice like bone-deep frost said in my ear, "were touching who?"

I turned around.

Kane stood there, his eyes as piercing as polar ice.

The club's colorful laser lights played over him but couldn't melt the terrifying pressure radiating from his body.

The smile vanished from the gray-eared boy's face. Pure instinctive fear buckled his knees. He dropped to the floor in a posture of absolute submission.

Several soldiers silently spread out, sealing every exit.

Kane didn't look at the boy. He only lifted a finger slightly.

Two soldiers stepped forward and dragged the half-blood out like a dead dog.

I took a breath, set down my glass, and turned toward the side door.

"Stop."

Kane's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an irresistible command.

I didn't stop.

The next second, his hand clamped around my wrist. The force was enough to make my bones ache.

He didn't even give me a chance to speak. He hoisted me onto his shoulder and strode out of the club.

The night wind was cold.

He shoved me roughly into the back seat of the black Rolls-Royce, then climbed in after me. The door slammed shut with a heavy lock.

"Is this what the etiquette tutor taught you?" He yanked off his tie, his gaze slicing over my red mini dress like a blade, his brow furrowed tight. "After signing a marriage contract, you run to a place like this and mix with rogues?"

"The rules of that contract don't apply to me anymore." I leaned against the car door and looked at him coldly.

Kane's movement paused. A flicker of shock crossed his eyes, but it was quickly buried under deeper anger.

"What are you throwing a tantrum about now?" He leaned in, gripping my chin. "Because the elders rejected your request to borrow the Luna necklace today? I told you, your orphan status is already sensitive in the pack. What you should do is pray at the temple, not challenge the pack's rules over and over."

"I don't need to pray to anyone." I slapped his hand away and met his gaze, word by word. "I'm not marrying you, Kane."