Chapter 2 Blood Pact

The Thorncrown Pack Alpha Estate had already been transformed for the engagement celebration.

A golden arch stood in the center of the lawn, engraved with the image of a wolf wearing a crown of thorns.

Dozens of wolves had gathered, all members of Declan's pack.

The moment my heels touched the ground, every conversation died. They looked at me with curiosity, yes, but more than that, with pity.

Frowning, I walked through the archway and immediately understood why. In the corner of the courtyard lay a body covered with a white sheet.

I stopped cold. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

Then Vanessa, Declan's secretary, glided through the crowd toward me. She put on an innocent expression and gave me a coy little blink.

"Selena, I'm so sorry. I only meant to correct your mother's behavior. A few slaps, a little scare. I had no idea she was that fragile. She literally got scared to death. You're not going to blame me for that, are you?"

Dead?

My heart slammed against my ribs.

She thought the body under that sheet was my mother.

Before I could correct her, Declan stepped in front of Vanessa like a shield.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

Vanessa's lower lip trembled on cue. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I never meant to ruin your engagement party. I just… I saw that she-wolf sneaking through the house, and I thought—"

He pulled her into his arms, shushing her. "I know. This isn't your fault. You were protecting my property. You were doing your job."

Then he turned to me. All that tenderness vanished instantly.

"Selena, look at what your mother has done. Trespassing on my territory. Frightening my pack. Turning my engagement night into a circus. You should be grateful I'm not demanding compensation."

I stared at him.

At the man who was supposed to become my mate.

At the alpha who defended a woman who had beaten someone to death.

"Declan," I said quietly, "I think you should look at the body."

He let out a contemptuous laugh. "Why? So I can take one last look at your mother's face and feel sorry for you? Don't flatter yourself. I'm not about to let some ugly old she-wolf ruin my appetite."

A graceful voice drifted in from behind him. Victoria Ashford, Declan's sister, approached at an unhurried pace.

"Declan, why are you even wasting your breath with Selena? This is all her mother's fault for trying to steal."

She crossed her arms. "If Father hadn't insisted on naming Selena your future mate before he died, with your current status, you could have chosen a Luna with actual character. Not the daughter of a thief who can't even control her own mother."

She glanced toward the covered body. "Honestly, this thief dying might be a blessing. Saves the rest of us from being robbed next."

The surrounding wolves nodded in agreement.

"Victoria's right. A mother-in-law like that would be nothing but a parasite."

"What if she stole from another pack and they found out she was connected to us? That'd be humiliating."

"Why didn't Selena keep her mother locked up? Vanessa did the right thing. Problem solved."

Vanessa peeked out from Declan's arms, her eyes shimmering with fake tears. "But Selena looks so angry. What if she tries to get revenge? What if she hurts me?"

"Don't worry." Declan pulled her even closer. "As long as I'm alive, no one will lay a finger on you."

He snapped his fingers.

A pack member stepped forward carrying a sheet of parchment.

Declan said, "Selena, sign this blood pact. Once you do, I'll allow you to take the body."

His voice was ice-cold. "Your mother's death was an accident. She brought this on herself."

He gestured toward the parchment. "I'm willing to overlook her attempted theft. But you will swear in blood that you will never retaliate against Vanessa."

Then he checked the time. "You have five minutes. My mother is on her way here, and I refuse to let her walk into this mess."