Chapter 1

I was framed and lost my pup. But my mate, Alpha Byron, protected the killer, Ariana. He was even willing to harm my own mother and brother for her.

"Sandra has to forgive Ariana publicly."

Byron's voice cut through the wall from the next room.

I pressed myself against the wall, holding my breath.

"Alpha, but she just lost the pup—"

“That’s exactly why we have to shut this down. Now,” he cut his Beta off. “I can’t lose anyone else.”

“The only way this ends peacefully is if Sandra forgives Ariana in public. If she refuses, cut off her mother’s supply of Moonpetal."

My heart stopped.

Ever since my mating ceremony, my mother had been struck by a mysterious blood curse.

Moonpetal was the only thing keeping her sane.

Without it, the curse would shatter her mind within three days.

“Alpha, that’s cruel!”

Pain strained Byron’s voice. “I know it’s cruel, but she has to learn to put the pack first. I’m protecting her from more pain! After the ceremony, I’ll apologize to her myself and double the supply of Moon Orchids. For now, she just needs to calm down.”

I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palms so hard I tasted blood.

Protection? He was hurting my family, protecting the one who killed my pup, and he dared to say it was for me?

The conversation continued, but I couldn't hear it anymore.

I turned and walked to the balcony, my trembling hand pulling an encrypted communicator from my pocket.

Seven years.

The first time I’d called him in seven years.

It rang three times before he answered.

"Sandra?" My father’s voice was shocked. "Child, what's wrong?"

"Father." My voice was raw and broken. "I'll take the marriage."

Silence.

Then, a long, heavy sigh.

"I know I have no right—"

"I have a condition," I cut him off. "I want you to destroy the Blackwood Pack. Utterly."

"Sandra—"

"They killed my child. They imprisoned Liam. They're using my mother against me." Each word was ripped from my chest. "And my mate, my fated Alpha, is the one behind it all."

"Damn those pack wars," my father swore. "If it weren't for them, I never would have hurt you and your mother. I never would have let you go."

"The past doesn't matter," I said, staring into the night sky. "What matters is the Blood Moon ceremony. In seven days."

"What are you planning?"

"I'm going to make them pay. In front of every pack."

I closed my eyes, the memory of a perfect night washing over me.

The Summer Solstice, three years ago.

The full moon painted the world silver.

I was in a white dress, attending the ceremony as an adult for the first time.

Then I saw him.

Byron. He stood under the moonlight, his golden eyes like burning suns.

The moment our eyes met, the world went silent.

The mate bond snapped into place between us.

That sacred, irresistible pull made me believe he was a gift from the Moon Goddess herself.

"You're mine," he'd said then, his voice a lover's whisper. "Tonight, and for all of eternity."

I believed him.

God, I actually believed him.

"Sandra?" My father's voice pulled me back.

"Seven days," I said. "Give me seven days to set the stage. On the night of the Blood Moon, I need your warriors at the border."

"What do you need me to do?"

"Rescue Liam. Then watch me end this myself."

"My daughter." I could hear the pride and the pain in his voice. "Are you sure about this? Once a mate bond is severed completely—"

"He's the one who defiled it first," I said, my voice as cold as ice. "Now it's my turn."

"Fine. I'll get everything ready."

I ended the call and put the communicator away.

The night wind felt cool against my face, a small moment of relief.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

I froze.

"Sandra?"

Byron's voice. Shit. When did he get back? What did he hear?

I turned slowly.

His golden eyes—the ones I used to get lost in—were fixed on me.

I saw the familiar warmth in his gaze, but it was tainted by a flicker of guilt.

"You just lost our pup," he said softly. "What are you doing out here so late?"