Chapter 1

Out of the cave, the footsteps gradually faded. The rogues' shadows veered off toward another fork in the path.

Once we were sure it was safe, Vera and I let out a small, shaky breath.

Then I gritted my teeth and sent Kevin a mind-link to break the mate bond.

Kevin, who hadn't answered me in so long, picked up right away—his voice thick with irritation.

"Katherine, now is not the time for one of your little moods."

"The pack's defenses are solid. A few rogues—how could they possibly be a threat to you?"

"You're just jealous because I'm taking care of Lilian, so you lied about losing the baby and now you're threatening to break the bond just to drag me back, aren't you?"

His tone dripped with the disappointment of a man who felt misunderstood—as if I were the unreasonable one, the one at fault.

The wound from before had begun to fester, and Kevin's words cut through my chest like a blade.

For a long moment, I couldn't speak.

My silence seemed to infuriate him even more. His voice grew sharper.

"I'm staying to look after Lilian because I need to win her over—to clear the path for me to become Alpha. Lilian got hurt because of me. You think I can just leave her?"

"I'm fighting tooth and nail to become Alpha for you and our pup—so you'll be respected in this pack. Why can't you just understand that?"

With that, Kevin shut down the link completely, as if terrified I might disturb him again.

I collapsed onto the cold stone, too drained even to grieve.

When Kevin and I first became mates, his eyes held nothing but love when he looked at me.

If I scraped my skin during training, he'd bandage it with such tenderness, staying by my side until it healed.

He'd reach out and brush my forehead, telling me I'd worked so hard handling all the trivial things.

He'd stay glued to my side while I hunted—never more than a step away.

The moment I showed the slightest fatigue, he'd send me home to rest and keep going himself, coming back with the game and berries I loved.

But everything changed after the current Alpha fell gravely ill.

A year ago, he announced the next Alpha would be chosen between Kevin and his twin brother, Simon.

Whoever earned more of the pack's recognition would become the next Alpha.

Power is an abyss—and it swallowed every bit of tenderness they had.

Two brothers who'd once been as close as flesh and blood turned into bitter enemies overnight.

As their mates, Vera and I were pitted against each other at every turn.

In the council hall, I'd openly question Simon's proposals, and Vera would tear down my abilities in front of everyone.

In front of the pack, Vera and I would expose each other's flaws without hesitation.

She'd call me weak, useless in a fight.

I'd say she only ever acted on impulse.

Two sisters who'd once been inseparable hadn't spoken a word to each other in private for over a year.

Lilian's family had served as the Alpha's Beta for generations. Win her over, and you'd have a voice whispering in the old Alpha's ear.

So they groveled at her feet like dogs in heat.

And Vera and I? We were tossed aside without a second thought.

A few days ago, Lilian mentioned offhand that she wanted to see the flowers deep in the forest.

Kevin and Simon's eyes lit up instantly, both desperate to prove themselves.

Under the guise of "escorting her for safety," they pulled every elite warrior from the camp.

The vast stronghold became an empty shell overnight—nothing left but a handful of old, weak, and wounded guards.

When the rogue pack broke through the defenses, I was clutching my belly, begging Kevin for help.

I had never been so terrified in my life.

Before, I'd charge headfirst at a rabid beast without flinching. But now there was a pup inside me—even the slightest impact could kill it.

"Kevin, help me... the camp's been breached. Our baby... there's no heartbeat..."

Blood poured down my thighs.

But the other end of the link stayed silent.

The memory sent a wave of grief crashing over me, and I slumped against the stone.

A moment later, footsteps shattered my thoughts.

A rogue leaped down the cliff, the stench of blood rolling off it as it stalked toward me.

Then one after another, its kin followed.

Vera and I looked at the sea of wolves closing in and shut our eyes in despair.