Chapter 2

Then I saw it. Resting against her cleavage was a crescent wolf-fang pendant. It was set in white gold.

The Sterling family heirloom. Passed down only to Lunas.

A month ago, Caleb took it from me. He claimed he was taking it to the pack’s sacred grounds to be blessed by the Healer under the full moon. He said it would strengthen our mate bond.

What a freaking joke.

At the time, I was touched by the love in his eyes. I thought it meant something special. I thought it showed how much he valued our bond.

I never thought he’d turn around and hang our Luna heirloom around his mistress's neck.

Plus, as the pool's hot water washed away her cheap, heavy perfume...

My sharp wolf senses finally caught the scent buried underneath.

Caleb’s unique Alpha scent—pine woods and crisp winter air—was wrapped tightly all around her. He had heavily scent-marked her.

If we hadn't bumped into her today, I'd still be in the dark. I'd still be waiting like an idiot for him to bring back my "blessed" pendant.

I had no idea he was out here giving away Luna privileges to some other girl.

The angrier I got, the colder my voice became.

I completely popped her smug little bubble. "What's your last name? Because Caleb's legal mate is a Sterling.

"And surprise—she looks nothing like you. You’re just his dirty little secret, honey. A bed-warmer. Yet here you are, screaming and acting so proud. You have absolutely no shame.

"Go ahead. Mind-link Caleb right now. I'd love to see how he plans to handle us."

Tessa flinched. The insult hit her pride like a physical blow.

Her voice turned shrill. "Love doesn't care who came first. So what if she's his mate? The one he doesn't love is the real trash. My Alpha is coming to see me today. I’ll make him come right now. Just you wait."

She grabbed her phone and dialed. Her voice instantly turned sickeningly sweet. "Caleb, baby, when are you getting here?

"I'm at the healing pool. Two low-rank bitches are bullying me. I'm so scared. Come protect me, please?

"Also, I want this pool all to myself from now on. I learned some fun new tricks in the water... just for you."

She hung up, glowing like she just won Alpha of the year. "He’ll be here in thirty minutes. You're dead. He knows exactly how to deal with trash like you."

I was holding back vomit. Caleb had looked me in the eyes and sworn he'd never hurt me—and behind my back, he was screwing this piece of trash.

Rowena saw my face and instantly understood. She clenched her jaw. "Caleb. He’s exactly like his cheating bastard of a father. Everything I gave him—I can take back."

She hated mate-traitors more than anything. Years ago, Caleb’s dad ran off with an Omega. Rowena dumped him on the spot. She crushed the rebellion with an iron fist as Luna, raised Caleb alone, and built her own pack empire.

And now? The son she raised had stooped just as low. He was a complete disappointment.

Rowena still controlled the pack's Council of Elders.

Yes, she let Caleb manage a few territories.

But the real power? She still held it.

As for Caleb and me, we were a political match. I wasn’t some nobody, either.

I couldn't wait to hear Caleb try to lie his way out of this one.

Right then, I noticed something was wrong—Rowena’s face was ghost pale.

The silver poison was spreading, attacking her damaged wolf. Her lungs were failing. Every breath sounded like tearing paper.

I grabbed her and guided her toward the ladder, trying to get her out.

But Tessa gave a hand signal.

Bruno jumped to the edge. He kicked Rowena square in the chest just as she was halfway up.

She crashed back into the freezing water. I scrambled wildly to pull her up again.

Tessa stood there laughing. "You two look like drowning hairless dogs. I thought you 'liked' the water? Stay in it!"

She turned to Bruno. "Don't let them out until my mate gets here."

Bruno nodded like a loyal mutt. "You got it, Tessa. I’ll keep them down. Just put in a good word for me with the Alpha."

No matter how many times we tried to climb out, Bruno kicked us right back in.

We were running out of strength. Rowena clutched her chest, gasping for air. She was too weak to speak.

I held her up and screamed at the edge, panic tearing through me. "Are you trying to kill her? My mother-in-law's wolf is damaged! Her lungs are failing! She needs her antidote! Let us out right now, or when Caleb gets here, you'll pay for this!"

Bruno hesitated. He looked at Tessa.

She just snorted. "You old hags are so dramatic. Damaged wolf? You had plenty of fight in you a second ago."

Then she waved her hand at him. "Pour in that bottle of purified wolfsbane extract. Let's see how long she can fake it."