Chapter 4

An arctic rage made my body tremble.

Every one of Kane's words was another vicious twist of the knife in my old wounds.

I had to get out of there, or I was afraid I'd lose control and try to kill them both.

But my escape was cut short. A she-wolf emerged from the shadows, her grip bruising on my arm.

I knew her. One of Scarlett’s loyal little puppets. She was jeering at me in the training yard just yesterday.

“My Lady Saintess?” she cried, feigning shock. “She stole it! My necklace! The Saintess is a thief!”

She put on a show of tearing her collar, revealing nothing but skin.

Kane and Scarlett turned, drawn by the commotion.

“Mira,” Kane snarled, his eyes flashing with cold fury. “Of course it’s you.”

Hell.

The sound of bones snapping echoed in the clearing. Heavy steps thudded closer. He was changing.

“Whoever you are,” the beast’s voice rumbled, a guttural threat laced with pure violence. “You heard what you shouldn’t have. And now you’ll pay.”

A massive silver wolf lunged from behind the rock, its golden eyes glowing like embers in the dark.

He lunged, jaws open, sharp fangs aimed straight for my throat.

I had no time to react. I could only squeeze my eyes shut and wait for the end.

BANG—!

A deafening crash. The tearing pain I expected never came.

My eyes snapped open.

A figure, darker than the night itself, stood between me and death.

It was Oliver.

His wolf form was even larger and more powerful than Kane's, his fur a pure, unbroken black under the moonlight.

With a single paw, he had effortlessly blocked Kane's fatal attack.

"You cursed half-breed!" Kane roared in fury. "Get out of my way! You don't belong here!"

Oliver didn't answer, just let out a low, menacing growl.

His eyes weren't the typical gold of a werewolf. They were a stunning, pure amethyst.

Kane seemed to see something in those eyes.

He faltered, shifting back to his human form.

"You're lucky," he said, casting a wary glance at Oliver before turning his venomous glare on me. "Mira, I don't care what you heard. You know that choosing me is your only real option. I'll see you at the bonding ceremony in three days."

With that, he grabbed Scarlett and vanished into the night.

Oliver shifted back to his human form. Those unique violet eyes watched me, their quiet gaze chasing away the chill in my heart.

"Are you okay?" His voice was deep and gentle.

"I'm fine," I shook my head. "Thank you."

I watched him disappear into the darkness, my decision hardening into stone.

Kane, I thought, your arrogance will be your downfall.

…

Three days later, under the light of the full moon, the bonding ceremony began.

Every member of the Northern packs gathered at the Moonlight Altar, the air electric with anticipation.

Kane stood at the front, dressed in the finest Alpha ceremonial robes.

His silver cloak shimmered in the firelight.

He held his head high, basking in the endless congratulations.

“Congratulations, Kane! The Saintess will surely choose you!” a pack leader boomed.

“Of course she will. Who else is worthy but the purest bloodline of the Silvermoon?” Kane’s father, the reigning Alpha, clapped him proudly on the shoulder.

“I hear the Elders have a feast prepared. After tonight, you are our future Alpha King!”

Scarlett clung to his side like a victor, her face glowing with undisguised triumph.

As if she were already waiting for me to die, ready to take her place as Queen.

All eyes turned to me as my handmaidens led me to the altar.

Kane’s gaze burned the hottest.

He watched me, a possessive, confident smirk playing on his lips.

Everyone assumed I had no other choice.

After all, who would choose the cursed Oliver over the glorious, powerful Kane?

It would be a death sentence.

“By the witness of the Moon Goddess, tonight, we announce the destined mate of Saintess Mira!” the Elder’s voice echoed, chanting the ancient rites.

The totem stone in the center of the altar began to glow.

A soft beam of moonlight shot out.

It hovered over the daggers of the Alphas, searching. Searching for the one linked to my blood.

Kane’s smile was perfect.

He even took a small step forward, ready to accept the cheers—and my submission—the moment the light chose him.

The light passed over his ornate golden dagger. It didn’t even slow.

As Kane’s smile froze on his face, as Scarlett’s eyes widened in shock, as every wolf in the clearing held their breath… the beam of light…

Landed squarely on the plain, rough, and ominous obsidian dagger in the corner.