Chapter 4

After the attack, the manor was in chaos.

My father's face was as dark as a storm cloud.

"Get Ethan in here!" he roared at the guards. "Now!"

Ten minutes later, Ethan was dragged into the conference room. There wasn't a trace of guilt on his face, only his usual, entitled arrogance.

"You abandoned my daughter during an attack," my father's voice was sharp as a blade of ice. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you where you stand."

Ethan scoffed. "Abandon her? I was following standard emergency protocol. Protecting the weaker Omega."

"Omega?" I sneered. "Clara was more important than me?"

"Of course," he said, not even trying to hide it. "She's an innocent civilian. You have a wolf to protect you. I made the most logical choice."

The air in the room froze.

My father's Alpha power crashed down, forcing the Betas in the room to their knees.

Only Ethan remained standing, but sweat was already beading on his forehead.

"The most logical choice?" my father repeated, his voice dangerously low. "Was to let my daughter be torn to shreds by a rogue?"

"She's fine, isn't she?" Ethan shrugged, not a hint of remorse on his face. "Arthur handled it. See? My judgment was sound."

He locked his eyes on me, the warmth gone, replaced by a cold threat.

"Don't forget, Samara. In three days, you will be mine."

"Become mates?" I stood up, looking him straight in the eye. "You think I would still choose a man who would abandon me in a crisis?"

His expression darkened instantly. "Samara, I suggest you think carefully," his voice turned dangerous. "I know Clara's little 'accident' has already affected your sense of smell."

My heart sank.

He smiled, a cruel, vicious smile. "What good is a perfumer who can't smell?" He leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper. "If you humiliate me at that ceremony, I will tell everyone your precious gift is gone. How long do you think your pack will follow a broken heir?"

The room fell silent.

Everyone knew that for a perfumer, their sense of smell was their life.

If word got out that mine was damaged, my entire career would be over.

"You dare?" my father raged.

"Why wouldn't I?" Ethan sneered. "She'll be my mate soon enough. Her reputation is my reputation. If she doesn't cooperate, we all go down together."

I stared at him.

This was the man I once loved. This was the fated mate my inner wolf, Mia, still yearned for. A monster who would destroy me to possess me.

I closed my eyes.

When I opened them again, all emotion was gone.

I looked at him and, to everyone's surprise, I smiled.

"You're right, Ethan."

Everyone froze, including my father.

I said calmly, "Our union is about the future of the four packs. My personal reputation, compared to your vile actions, is insignificant. The ceremony will proceed as planned."

A triumphant smile spread across Ethan's face.

He thought he had me cornered. "You'll make the right choice, Samara."

He swaggered out, Clara clinging to his arm, looking every bit the conquering Alpha who already ruled the North.

After they left, my father looked at me with worry. "My child, are you really going to..."

I turned, the ice in my eyes melting into deadly resolve.

"Father, he’s about to find out what happens when you cross the heir of the Crescent Moon Pack."

I would let him think he’d won.

I would let him climb so high he could touch the stars.

And then I would be the one to set his throne on fire and watch him burn.

Three days later, the Choosing Ceremony of the four packs took place as scheduled.

Hundreds of werewolves gathered in the grand ceremonial hall.

I stood on the stage, dressed in a traditional white ceremonial gown.

Below, the Alphas of the four packs sat in their designated places.

Arthur of the Blackwood Pack sat alone in a corner, like a silent mountain.

"Today, we witness the mate selection of the Crescent Moon heir," the presiding elder announced. "This will decide the future of the four Northern packs."

Suddenly, I saw someone in the crowd who shouldn't have been there.

Clara.

An ordinary Omega had no place at this ceremony.

But what made my blood boil was the vial of perfume dangling from a charm on her wrist.

I didn't need my full strength to recognize that scent.

It was a bastardized version of 'New Moon'—my mother’s last and most sacred creation.

A cheap knock-off meant to mock her memory.

She deliberately raised her wrist, showing it off to those around her. "This is my latest creation, inspired by Lady Samara's late mother," she said with a sweet smile. "I hope it honors her memory."

Honor her? She was desecrating my mother's memory.

Inside, Mia and Nyx roared in unison.

“Tear her apart!”

“Kill her!”

I bit my lip, hard, forcing myself to stay calm. Not yet.

"Samara," the elder handed me a gem that glowed like moonlight. "Please accept the 'Moon Goddess's Tear' and announce your choice."

I took the gem, feeling its smooth, warm surface.

This gem would witness the most important decision of my life.

Below, everyone held their breath. Magnus smiled confidently, certain I would choose his son.

The other Alphas had their own hopes.

Only Arthur remained as still and silent as a statue.

I raised the 'Moon Goddess's Tear,' letting it sparkle in the light.

"I, Samara, heir to the Crescent Moon Pack, in the name of the Moon Goddess, hereby choose my mate—"