Chapter 1

Kyle stepped up beside me, all soothing tones and fake sympathy. "Don't blame me, Lilith. You shoved Sylvia into the pool last week in front of everyone. Made her lose face in front of the whole pack. So she just wanted a little payback—letting you draw the one wolf everyone's terrified of. That's all."

"She's young. Innocent. Don't give her a hard time anymore, alright?"

"Relax. It's just a small punishment. Doesn't count. You really think I'd be cruel enough to let you mate with someone that dangerous?"

The words hit me like a nail straight through my chest. My blood turned to ice.

Whispers swelled from every corner of the hall. A low, buzzing roar.

Kyle cleared his throat loudly, then raised his voice. "My sister's hand slipped just now. The draw doesn't count. We're doing it over."

He shot a quick, pointed glance toward Raymond.

Raymond Hale. My childhood friend. The pack's youngest Beta. My fated mate.

I looked up at him without thinking.

He was leaning against a pillar, his uniform cutting sharp across his shoulders, his features clean and cold beneath the brim of his cap. Handsome. Always had been.

But when our eyes met, something flickered through his—a chill I almost missed. Then he straightened up and spoke, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Our pack's always stood by fairness when it comes to arranged bonds. Since when do we get a do-over?"

"The Alpha heir going back on his word in front of the whole pack? That's a bad look."

My heart dropped. My fingers curled into my skirt until my knuckles went white.

Voices rose around me, feeding on his words:

"Beta Raymond's right! A draw's a draw—you can't just undo it!"

"The Alpha heir's always been a man of his word. Is he really breaking that today?"

Kyle's face went dark. He jabbed a finger at Raymond. "You—you grew up with Lilith. You told me once that the only one you'd ever bond with was her. How can you say something like that now?"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

"Come on, it's obvious. Raymond's got his eye on someone else."

"Saw him at the market with Sylvia Worth yesterday. Bags and bags of stuff—looked like he was trying to buy out every stall in the place."

"Heard they're fated mates, but honestly? Looks like he's way more into Sylvia."

So that's how it was.

I let my lashes drop, blinked the sting away, and took a long, slow breath. Then I stepped forward.

I took the mic. My voice wasn't loud, but it cut clean through every corner of the hall. "Who said the draw doesn't count?"

"If that name came out, then it's fate. I'll take this bond. I accept it."

Kyle spun toward me, his voice cracking with alarm. "Lilith, have you lost your mind?"

He dropped his voice, urgent and sharp. "You stay next to a monster like that—do you have any idea what he could do to you?"

I turned my head and looked at him, eyes rimmed red.

There was a time when he would've stood in front of me. Shielded me. Made sure nothing touched me.

Now? One word from Sylvia—a single, careless complaint about a pool—and he'd just thrown me straight into hell.

A cold smile tugged at my lips. "Isn't this what you wanted, Kyle?"

"Now I'm bonding with the Alpha King. Your precious Sylvia doesn't have to be scared anymore. You should be thrilled."

Kyle's brow furrowed. "You're still blaming Sylvia? You were the one in the wrong. What she did today was just—"

Raymond cut in, that smug, patronizing tone still clinging to his voice. "Lilith, don't throw yourself away just to spite me."

He took a half-step closer, softening his voice, avoiding my eyes. "We grew up together. I've always thought of you as a sister. You really think I'd let you end up with someone like him?"

I turned and gave him a smile so sharp it could cut glass. "A sister?"

Raymond's mouth opened. Nothing came out. Guilt flickered behind his eyes.

I held his gaze like a blade. "Raymond, if you'd just admit you changed your mind, I might actually respect you."

His face went pale. His lips parted, but no words came. He looked away.

I turned and walked out of the banquet hall without looking back. "The result of this draw will reach the Alpha King's ears."

Raymond let out a cold laugh, but his eyes stayed locked on my back. He muttered to Kyle, "She's just throwing a tantrum. No way she'd actually bond with that wolf."

I didn't say a word.

That night, word came from the Alpha King. Ten days. Then he'd send for me.