chapter One

Elara POV

“The Alpha is coming for you. Be ready by first light.”

My hands vibrated violently that I nearly dropped my phone on the ground. The message stared at me like if it was a death sentence.

"No, this can't be happening."

I read it again. And again. Each time, the words stayed the same like if it was mocking me.

"Elara?" My weak mother's voice drifted from the bed, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

She tried to push herself up, but the effort cost her. Her arms tremble and her breathing because shallow. Three months ago, she could walk to the market. Now, she could barely lift her head and I was the only one here to help her.

"You sold me," I said, "You actually did it. You sold me to some Alpha like if I'm nothing."

"Elara, please let me explain"

"Explain what?” I asked,” That you sold away your daughter to someone I've never even met? What could you possibly say that would make this okay?"

Tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Your father, before he died made an arrangement in order to pay off his debt," she said.

"Dad's been dead for three years and you never thought to mention that he promised me to some stranger?"

"It wasn't supposed to happen like this,” She dissolved into coughing, "We needed the medicine. The pack council said if I signed the papers, they'd provide the medicine."

"You needed medicine because you gave everything we had to Elena!" The words exploded out of me. "Your precious firstborn, who left the second things got hard. Who sends a check once a month like that makes up for anything."

"Don't talk about your sister that way."

"Why not? She's not here, is she? Where is Elena right now, Mom? In her nice apartment working her nice job, while I'm here watching you die slowly."

The second the words left my mouth, I wanted them back but I couldn't reverse it.

My mother turned her face away. "I never wanted this for you."

"But you did it anyway," I sank onto the edge of her bed, suddenly exhausted, "Who is he? This Alpha?"

"Silas Vane. The Alpha of Black Ridge Pack."

I had heard of Black Ridge before. It was one of the oldest and most powerful packs in the northern territories.

"How long have you known about this?" I asked.

"Two months."

"You've known for two months that I was going to be shipped off and you said nothing?"

"I was trying to find another way. I contacted Elena, begged her to… "

"To what? Take my place? And let me guess, she said no."

My mother's silence was answer enough.

I stood there with my legs unsteady.

"When are they coming for me?"

"Today at first light,” she said as she continued crying again.

I looked at the window. The sun was already painting the horizon pink and gold.

I called Elena three times before she picked up.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" She said with irritation, "Some of us have jobs, Elara."

"Get to the house. Now."

"Excuse me?"

"Mom needs you." I said as I shoved my clothes into my backpack, not caring what I grabbed. The herbs I used to mask my scent went in carefully wrapped in cloth.

"I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Where are you going?"

"Apparently to become someone's bride.

"Did you know when mom called and begged you to take my place, did you know what she was asking?"

"I couldn't…"

"Save it. Just get here now. She can't be alone."

I hung up.

I tucked the small vial of herbs into my pocket, which was a insurance against anyone detecting what I really was and what I was always hiding.

The silver scent which was the mark of a Lunar Mate, the kind that only appeared once every few generations.

I had been masking it since my first shift at sixteen. My father had taught me how to do it and made me swear never to tell anyone. "It'll make you a pawn in games you can't win,” he would always say.

Guess he made me a pawn anyway.

A knock at the door made my heart stop.

"Miss Vance?" A male voice spoke, deep and formal. "We're here on behalf of Alpha Silas."

I looked at my mother one last time. She managed to sit up fully.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

I didn't answer. If I opened my mouth, I'd either scream or sob.

I opened the door.

Three wolves stood on our porch, all radiating the kind of power that came from strong bloodlines.

The center one, was tall and with intelligent dark eyes stepped forward.

"Elara Vance?"

"That's me."

He studied me with an unreadable expression, "I'm Darius Kane, Beta of Black Ridge Pack. I'm here to escort you to your new home."

New home. As if I had any choice in the matter.

"Lead the way."

He didn't show surprised by my lack of resistance. He simply gestured to the black SUV that parked in our driveway.

I didn't look back as I walked toward it. I didn't let myself think about my mother alone in that bed, or Elena who probably wouldn't show up until noon.

The vehicle's leather seats were nicer than any furniture we had ever owned. I slid across them, tucking myself against the far window. Darius took the seat beside me, while the other two wolves climbed into the front.

"It's a four hour drive," Darius said as we pulled away, "If you need anything just let me know"

"The Alpha is he honorable? Because honorable men don't buy brides."

"It's complicated.”

"I'm sure it is," I closed my eyes, "Wake me when we get there."

"Miss Vance…"

"It's Elara. And I don't want to talk about it."

Darius fell silent. The SUV's engine hummed as we left my pack's territory behind.

I should have been terrified or be planning escape routes but I just sat down there doing nothing.

Four hours until I met the man who'd bought me like property.

When I finally opened my eyes, the landscape had changed entirely.

"We're entering Black Ridge territory," Darius said quietly. "Another twenty minutes."

Through the window, I caught glimpses of wolves running parallel to the road. Probably they were patrol guard.

"What's he like?" The question slipped out.

"Alpha Silas is dedicated to his pack. He puts their needs above everything else."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I can give," His dark eyes met mine, "You'll meet him soon enough."

The road curved, and suddenly we were passing through massive gates. Beyond them, the pack house rose from the forest.

It wasn't just big. It was a massive estate of stone and timber and it had tall windows that reflected the sun. I could see wolves moving around the grounds, training, talking and living their lives.

The SUV pulled up to a massive front entrance.