CHAPTER 2

VALENTINA

The room spun. For a second, I thought I would fall right there with him watching.

They all knew and watched me smile while I planned events whereas my mate was with someone else.

They probably laughed about it behind my back.

"Thanks for being honest," I said. I left before he saw my hands shaking.

In my car, I finally let myself break. I feel the burning rage, the humiliation. But I didn't cry.

A single tear didn't drop. I drove to the public library. Mrs. Frezit was there, organizing books.

"Luna? It's late."

"I need the old law books. The ones about mate bonds."

She looked shocked but didn't ask questions. She just brought me to the archives.

I read for hours and I found what I needed for the madness I intended to unleash.

In the Ancient Law of Mate Betrayal.

[When an Alpha breaks the sacred mate bond and dishonors his bloodline and impregnates another, the former Alpha can challenge to reclaim his position. It's not just about leadership. It's about restoring family honor.]

Then my answer is Hunter Knox Winterfell. My father-in-law and Sila's father.

Hunter Knox was the Alpha Prime. The second most powerful wolf in the entire werewolf world.

Hunter controlled all the packs in North America. Other Alphas bowed when he walked into a room.

He was a living legend. Eight years ago, while Silas and I were still dating, he gave the Winterfell Pack to Silas and moved to the mountain stronghold.

Everyone said it had been peaceful. A sweet father passing the seat to his son without waiting until his retirement.

But I always wondered why Hunter left completely. Why did he never visit? Why did he and Morgana seem to live separate lives even though they were still mated?

I closed the book. If I wanted to destroy Silas, I needed my father-in-law.

But that meant going to the mountains. To the stronghold where nobody was welcome.

And I would have to face the most dangerous wolf alive and convince him to fight his own son.

I checked the time. It's almost midnight. Silas would certainly be home soon. He'd kiss me and lie to my face.

I drove home, ready to pretend and ride off tomorrow.

I went upstairs and started packing. I took just the basics. I thought about what to tell Silas since I didn't want him to see my revenge and try to stop me.

Maybe, I will just say I was going to visit my sister. He wouldn't care and probably be happy I was gone.

My phone vibrated on the table and it was a message from Silas

["Finally heading home. Miss you."]

I typed back as well, two can play the game.

["Miss you too."]

I finished packing and sat on the bed. Tomorrow I'd drive six hours north. Find Hunter Knox and tell him what his son has done.

But first I needed evidence. However, how would I convince a father to stand up against his son?

I left before sunrise. Silas was still asleep. I put a note on the kitchen counter.

["Visiting Sarah for a few days. I need a sister bonding time."]

The drive north took six hours. In those long hours, I just kept replaying everything and cursing myself for being so blind.

Martha, in agreement with me, growled the whole way.

The mountain roads got rough as I climbed higher. My GPS died an hour ago, but I'd studied the maps the previous night, plus I had Martha, so I had nothing to worry about.

A massive gothic mansion came into view and I knew that I had arrived at my destination.

I parked at the base of the road to the house since my car couldn't move upward any further.

I decided to complete the remaining journey on foot. I grabbed my bag and started climbing.

The more I climbed, the colder the air got, and my breath came out in white clouds.

Snow covered the ground up here even though it was spring everywhere else.

Guards appeared before I reached the gate. Three huge wolves in human form blocked my path.

"Private territory," the biggest one said. "Turn around."

"I'm Valentina Moonfang Winterfell. Luna of the Winterfell Pack. I am here to see my father-in-law, Hunter Knox Winterfell."

They looked at each other.

"The Alpha Prime sees no one," another said. "You should know that."

"Tell him Silas's mate is here. Tell him I have something serious to discuss with him and it's about his son."

They hesitated. The first one pulled out a phone and walked away.

I waited, shivering, wrapping my arms around myself.

Martha, on the other hand, was on edge, angry at being told to wait; she wanted a fight, but I kept her back, knowing fighting wouldn't help us.

The guard came back. I tried to read his face but his expression gave nothing away.

"The Alpha Prime will see you. Leave your bag. Any threat and you're done. Are we clear?"

Even though I didn't like his tone, I nodded. "Clear."

They searched me. Then led me into the mansion. Not without one moving ahead of me and another behind my back.

When we entered the mansion, I was expecting the modern lifestyle, but just like the mansion, it was giving a gothic feel.

Everywhere was lit up with chandelier candles. It was given the eighties aesthetics.

"Wait here," the guard in front of me orders.

They left me alone. Two minutes later, I heard footsteps before I saw him.

Hunter Knox appeared at the top of the stairs. I'd seen old photos of him. But nothing prepared me for this.

He was huge. Bigger than Silas himself. He had broad shoulders and could easily be over seven feet.

His dark hair had silver at the temples. His face, however, looked no different from his younger photos.

Silas doesn't come close to this man in terms of beauty even though he is his father.

After my perusal, my eyes met his and I couldn't help but suck in a deep breath.

His eyes were deep amber. Almost gold and they looked right through me.

So this was the Alpha Prime. The legend who conquered the seven territories.

He came down the stairs slowly. Each step is regal and just so majestic. When he reached the bottom, he stopped ten feet away from me.

"So you are Valentina Winterfell." His voice was deep, throaty, and commanding. "My son's mate. Why are you here?"

I lifted my chin more, refusing to look away even though Martha was growling and purring inside me.

"I came to give you important information about your son," I said. "And your mate.”

Something flickered in those gold eyes. "Speak."