Chapter 1

I thought my mate, Alpha Baton, had renounced his savage ways for me. But right before our marking ceremony, he destroyed my father just to make his first love happy.

"He was only exiled, Tricia, not sentenced to death! Now drop it!"

I never thought Baton would speak to me like that.

I lunged forward, grabbing the collar of his shirt.

"That witness lied!" I clenched my fists. "Magnus told me he saw my father acting in self-de—"

Baton stood on the steps above me, his deep blue eyes—once filled with a warmth meant only for me—were now as cold as arctic ice.

"It doesn't matter," Baton cut me off. "The council has made its decision. Your father will be exiled."

I stared at him, the man who had sworn to protect me and my family.

"Why?" My voice trembled. "You know he's innocent. You're the Alpha King. You have the power to stop this!"

Baton was silent for a moment before walking slowly toward me.

"Because Seraphina needs justice." His words were daggers to my heart. "She lost her only brother. And that pain demands a price."

"A price?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So you sacrifice my father? You sacrifice our vows?"

I took a step back.

"Baton, I am your Mate. You swore to the Moon Goddess that you would protect my family."

A flicker of something crossed his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by that same cold mask.

"Some things are more important than personal feelings, Tricia."

A vise tightened around my chest.

This couldn't be real. It had to be a nightmare.

"I'll appeal to the Werewolf Alliance," I forced myself to stand tall. "I will prove my father's innocence."

Instantly, a crushing wave of his Alpha’s command slammed into me.

The air grew thick, heavy.

My knees went weak, and it became hard to breathe. It was an Alpha's command, an authority no wolf could defy.

"You're not going anywhere," his voice was a low, threatening growl. "This is over."

I struggled to fight back, but my body wouldn't obey. I could barely stay on my feet under the weight of his power.

Just then, I saw him. Magnus, hiding behind a pillar.

The witness who was supposed to defend my father was shaking, looking at us with wide, terrified eyes.

I understood.

"You threatened him," I managed to choke out. "You threatened Magnus and made him change his story."

Baton didn't deny it.

"Go home, Tricia. Be the good Luna you were meant to be. And know your place."

The Alpha pressure vanished, and I nearly collapsed.

Rage and despair burned through me.

I turned to leave, but then I saw Seraphina emerging from the main hall.

She looked at me, her face a mask of fake sympathy.

"Tricia, I'm so sorry…" she said softly. "But your father did do something wrong. Magnus's testimony was very clear."

I stared at her delicate face.

This woman, this Beta she-wolf who hid behind Baton and played the innocent victim.

"Shut up," I said coldly. "You think I don't know what you're doing?"

Seraphina's expression stiffened.

"What are you talking about?"

"You want my place," I said, taking a step toward her. "You want to be Baton's Luna. So you're getting rid of me and my family."

She backed away, then regained her composure.

"Tricia, you're being crazy. Baton and I are just friends—"

"Friends?" I scoffed. "What kind of 'friend' makes an Alpha betray his own Mate for her?"

"Enough!"

Baton was suddenly between us.

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. His grip was painfully tight, and his Alpha dominance pressed down on me again.

"If you don't shut your mouth," his voice was colder than the winter wind, "I will drag your mother here myself and force her to kneel before Seraphina's family and beg for forgiveness on your father's behalf!"