Five

Camelia Pov

One week later, I was beginning to find a routine.

My new job at Mooncrest Cooperative Bank kept me busy. I sorted account forms, filed pack business records, and helped the front desk answer calls from clients across Silver Ridge territory.

It wasn't exciting, but it paid. For the first time since Peter had abandoned me, I had money of my own.

The bank had given me more than a wage. It gave me a reason to get out of bed each morning and something to focus on besides the betrayal.

Every day, I learned something new. Which forms needed a manager's signature. Which pack accounts required extra checks. Some clients arrived with guards, while others came straight from farms or small businesses and waited in line with everyone else.

The work reminded me that pack life was made of ordinary needs as well as Alpha orders and ceremonies.

I was still hurt, but the hurt no longer filled every minute.

Becca's roommate would return soon, so I had started looking for a small room to rent. I didn't have much saved yet, but I was trying.

That evening, I walked home from the bank with my handbag over one shoulder. The sun had dipped behind the rooftops, and a cool breeze swept through the street.

A black SUV slowed beside me.

Its windows were too dark to see through.

I glanced at it and kept walking, but my steps slowed. Moving closer to the shopfronts, I watched the vehicle from the corner of my eye.

The passenger door flew open.

A hand grabbed my arm.

"Hey!"

Another man seized me from behind.

My first shout brought no help. The men moved quickly, and the street seemed to stretch away from me as I fought them. I tried to bite the hand over my mouth, then drove my heel down hard. Someone cursed and tightened his grip.

I twisted and kicked, but they dragged me toward the vehicle.

"Let go of me!"

My wolf. I tried to call her, but panic scattered my thoughts.

One man shoved me into the back seat. I scrambled toward the other door, but someone caught me by the shoulder.

A cloth pressed over my nose and mouth.

The chemical smell hit at once. I jerked my head away and held my breath, clawing at the man's wrist. He pinned me down and forced the cloth back against my face.

My vision blurred.

No. Not again.

I fought to stay awake. My arms grew heavy, and I fought until my muscles stopped obeying me.

The SUV door slammed, and the vehicle sped away.

Then the darkness took me.

When I woke, pain throbbed at the base of my skull. I pushed myself up and nearly fell back down. My mouth was dry, and my limbs felt weak.

Old timber beams. Stone walls. Wolf carvings cut into the pillars.

My father's estate.

They had brought me back to the Silver Ridge Pack compound. But this wasn't a guest room. I knew the reinforced iron door and the narrow window set high in the wall.

The old holding quarters.

I rushed to the door and hit it with my palm.

"Open this door!"

The lock turned.

Anya stepped inside.

She wore a midnight-blue gown edged with silver embroidery, the ceremonial dress of a pack Luna. She looked calm and pleased with herself.

My hands curled into fists. "What do you want? Why did you bring me here?"

Anya gave a small laugh. "You always ask so many questions."

"You drugged me and had me kidnapped!"

"Lower your voice."

"Go to hell."

Anya's smile vanished. She turned toward the corridor and snapped her fingers.

Two guards entered.

"Take her to the Alpha's council hall," Anya ordered. "The Alpha is waiting."

One guard grabbed my arm. I pulled away, but the second seized my other arm. The sedative still weakened me, and I couldn't fight them off.

They dragged me through the corridor.

The council hall doors opened, and the guards shoved me forward. My knees struck the marble floor, and pain shot up my legs.

Before I could stand, they forced my hands behind my back and fastened iron bindings around my wrists.

My wolf recoiled as the metal locked into place. The bindings drained my strength.

I lifted my head.

My father sat on the high seat, his face hard beneath his Alpha authority. Peter stood beside him in Beta regalia. Anya took her place near them, her hands folded over her Luna gown.

They had all gathered to decide my future without me.

"Get up," my father ordered.

I struggled to my feet. "You brought me here in chains?"

"You have brought shame upon this pack," my father said.

He struck his staff against the floor.

"Your dishonor has left us with a debt. Your sister has found a way to settle it and protect our bloodline."

I stared at him. "What debt? I did nothing wrong!"

"Enough," he snapped.

My eyes went to Anya. My sister's face held a small, satisfied smile.

"What have you arranged?" I demanded.

Anya walked down the steps and stopped in front of me. "You should thank me. We've secured an alliance."

My stomach tightened. "What kind of alliance?"

"A betrothal."

"To whom?"

Peter finally looked at me. His eyes held no warmth.

"Alpha Devon."

The name drained the strength from my legs.

Alpha Devon ruled Shadow Fang territory. He was one of the most feared Lycans in the region. Stories of his cruelty crossed pack borders, and even powerful Alphas chose their words carefully around him.

Everyone had heard what happened to those who angered him.

"No," I said, pulling at the iron bindings. "You can't send me to him."

"The terms are settled," my father replied. "He is a powerful Lycan King. This alliance will benefit our pack."

"He's a monster!"

"Watch your tongue."

I turned on Anya.

My sister had taken Peter, my home, and my future. Now they were handing me to a man whose name made other wolves afraid.

"You filthy whore!" I shouted.

Anya's eyes flashed.

"You slept with my fiancé. You stole my life. Now you're selling me off because you can't stand seeing me have anything of my own!"

"Camelia," my father warned.

But I couldn't stop.

"You're a slut, Anya! You couldn't be happy until you took everything from me!"

Anya's face twisted with rage. She raised her

hand and slapped me across the face.

The blow snapped my head to the side. My lip split against my teeth, and blood fell onto the marble.

Anya lifted her hand again.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY BRIDE!"

The voice thundered through the council hall.

The glass fixtures rattled. The guards stiffened, then dropped to their knees beneath the force of an Alpha's command.

Every face turned toward the doorway.