Chapter 1

The war between humans and shifters was over. To maintain the fragile peace, an alliance was formed, sealed by a blood bond: a daughter from a noble human family must choose a shifter mate and bear their hybrid child.

Around a massive round table sat the representatives from both humanity and the various shifter clans.

Werewolves, werebears, dragons, elves... every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on me.

The war was over, but peace had a price.

And I, as the eldest daughter of the Morrison family, was the first part of that price.

"According to the alliance treaty, today I will choose a mate from the unmarried shifter leaders present."

"Helena Morrison," the wolf Alpha, Calvin, stood up. A predatory glint shone beneath his handsome exterior. "On behalf of the wolf clan, I formally ask for your hand."

Everyone knew that marrying the strongest Alpha meant status, power, and safety.

"I accept." My voice, though quiet, echoed in the great hall.

But on the day of our engagement ceremony, I couldn't stop my hands from shaking.

I have to do this, I told myself. It's for the future of humanity.

I was standing in the grand hall of the Morrison estate. All the dignitaries and shifter leaders were there for the political union.

"Miss Helena, Mr. Calvin has a special gift for you."

A servant entered, holding an ancient ebony box.

Inside lay a blood-red gemstone pendant. It gave off an ominous glow.

"It's a Calvin family heirloom," the servant said. "He wishes for you to wear it now."

I reached out and touched the gem.

In an instant, the world vanished.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

I saw myself trapped in a gilded cage, my belly swollen with child.

Calvin stood outside, his eyes filled with nothing but a desperate hunger for a pure bloodline.

"Try again, Helena. It has to work this time."

The vision shifted. I was on a cold operating table as doctors performed horrific procedures on my body.

"This pain is a small price for the purest bloodline," Calvin said, his voice as cold as ice.

Then, the most horrible image of all appeared.

I saw Trina, my own sister, wearing my clothes and holding my child.

"Thank you, sister," she said with a sweet, wicked smile. "Thank you for giving me the chance to have all of this."

"You… you betrayed me…" I managed, using the last of my strength.

"Betrayal?"

Trina laughed. "I'm just taking back what should have been mine all along! You got everything...the strongest bloodline, the highest status. And what did I get? Married off to that damned Elven Chief! His endless affairs made my life a living hell. If you hadn't married Alpha Calvin first, all of this would have been mine!"

Her eyes gleamed with madness. "After Calvin kills you, I'll be the mother of the child with the strongest bloodline!"

The final image was my death.

Not from sickness or an accident, but at Calvin's own hands.

But in the darkness, I saw a figure.

Tall and silent, with a fire of rage burning in his eyes.

Caleb, leader of the bear clan.

He was massive, and just by sitting there, he made the air around him feel heavy.

"Her death was no accident," he roared at the others. "I want the truth!"

Only him.

When everyone else stayed silent, he was the only one demanding justice for me.

"Miss Helena! Miss Helena!"

My eyes flew open.

The gemstone pendant fell to the floor with a clatter.

The images were still burning in my mind. It wasn't a hallucination. It was a warning.

"Helena?"

The door opened and Trina walked in.

She looked so innocent and beautiful, but now I knew what hid beneath the surface.

"Sister, I have to tell you something," she said, her voice trembling.

"I… I love Calvin." She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "I know it's selfish, but I truly love him."

She pulled down her collar to reveal a bright red bite mark on her neck...a wolf's claiming mark.

"We've already… mated," Trina sobbed. "Please, just let me have him."

I watched her performance, my heart turning to ice. In that terrible future, she had cried and begged just like this, right before stabbing me in the back.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" I asked calmly.

"Yes!" Trina nodded eagerly. "I'll give him everything, bear him the noblest heir!"

"Alright then." I stood up. "You can have him."

Trina looked at me in disbelief. "Really?"

"Really," I said, walking to the door. "But I have a choice of my own."

I pushed the door open and walked out into the grand hall.

Every head turned toward me, including Caleb's, who sat unnoticed in a corner.

"I have an announcement to make," my voice rang out. "I, Helena Morrison, refuse the union with Calvin Blackwood."

Gasps erupted through the hall.

Calvin shot up from his seat. "Helena, what are you talking about?"

"I'm exercising my right to choose," I said calmly. "According to the treaty, I have the right to choose the leader of any shifter clan as my mate."

I turned to Caleb.

"Caleb Thorne, leader of the bear clan, will you accept my proposal?"

The entire hall fell silent.

The bears were considered the lowest-ranking clan in the shifter world, seen as little more than savages by the others.

Caleb slowly rose to his feet.

The moment he rose, a hush fell over the great hall. He didn't need to speak; his presence was a statement in itself.

A flash of surprise in his eyes, followed by deep understanding.

"Helena Morrison, I would be honored."

"No!" Trina burst into the hall, her eyes wild. "Helena, are you crazy? The bears are violent brutes! You'll be killed!"

"Better that than to be killed by betrayal," I said, looking coldly at her.

Calvin's face twisted with rage. "Helena, you can't insult me like this!"

"Insult you?" I laughed. "Then why don't you explain the mark on Trina's neck?"

The color drained from Calvin's face.

"I've chosen Caleb," I said, walking to the bear leader's side. "And you, Calvin, you can have my 'dear, sweet' sister."

Trina's expression shifted between horror and ecstasy.

"Is this your choice, then?" she sneered, as if I'd already lost completely. "The bears are the lowest of the low! Savages! They live in the forest like animals. It almost makes me feel sorry for you, thinking of how miserable your life will be."

I took Caleb's arm, feeling the warmth and strength flowing from him.

"You're wrong about one thing, Trina," I said, looking back at her. "A true beast would never harm its mate."