Chapter 2

Huxley seemed to freeze for a second.

But just as quickly, the flicker of emotion in his molten gold eyes vanished, replaced by an icy indifference to everything.

His grip on my neck vanished, only to be replaced by a hard hand clamping around my arm.

He pulled me into a stone hut that looked ready to collapse.

“Stay.”

He bit out the single word, then turned and disappeared into the night, as if I were nothing more than a troublesome package.

I expected this hut to be a living hell.

I was wrong.

A fire pit in the center of the room chased away every bit of the chill.

The walls were carved with ancient totems I didn’t recognize.

In the corner, a bed of animal furs looked impossibly clean.

Outside was a wasteland. Inside was a warm home.

For the first time since my rebirth, the tight knot of fear in my chest loosened just a little.

A few days later, an invitation arrived.

The Welcoming Feast.

All Alphas were expected to attend with their new mates, to show off their prizes.

Huxley didn’t even glance at it, tossing the gold-leafed invitation straight into the fire.

“We’re going.” I snatched it back from the flames.

His golden eyes flicked to me, a hint of curiosity in them.

I needed to go.

I needed to see Selena with my own eyes.

To watch my foolish sister walk so proudly toward her own destruction.

At the feast, Colton and Selena were the center of attention.

The moment Huxley and I appeared, we became the main attraction for a different reason.

A joke.

Huxley ignored the scornful looks, walking directly to the darkest corner of the hall to lean against the wall.

I’d just picked up a glass of wine when Selena glided over.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in," Selena's voice cut through the hall.

She wore a gown of ice-blue silk, studded with rare ice crystals, each one worth a fortune.

Custom-made by Colton to show off his new "prize."

I wore a simple black coat, the only decent thing I’d brought from home.

"I thought you'd be too ashamed to come," Selena said, walking toward me. She raised her voice so everyone could hear. "After all, being chosen by a pack of monsters must be humiliating, right?"

The werewolves around us began to whisper.

I glanced at her face.

The makeup couldn't hide the dark shadows under her eyes, or the pale line of her lips.

Colton had already started.

"You don't look well, Selena," I said quietly.

Her smile faltered for a second. "I'm just so excited. Colton says I'll be pregnant soon. Our child will rule all the packs."

"Rule?" I scoffed. "Or be ruled?"

"You're just jealous." Selena smugly stroked her flat stomach, as if a future Queen was already there.

"Poor Ronnie. Living in the wastes with a bunch of beasts. You'll probably never even get pregnant."

The crowd snickered openly.

The same werewolf nobles who once flattered my family now looked at me like I was a clown.

"At least I..." I started to argue, but she cut me off.

"At least you what? At least you're alive?" Selena's smile turned venomous. "Sometimes, Ronnie, being alive is a fate worse than death. Especially for trash that's been thrown out. A monster's plaything."

"And where is your monster? What, too ashamed to show his face, so he left you all alone?" Seeing that I wasn’t responding, Selena grew bolder.

She leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper. "Admit it, Ronnie. You're so jealous you could scream. Everything you have now is just my leftover trash!"

I looked at her smug, gloating face and suddenly, a slow smile spread across my lips.

I met her eyes and said, my voice low and clear:

"Enjoying my leftovers, sister?"

The smile on Selena's face shattered.

"What did you just say?!" she screeched, like a cat whose tail has been stepped on.

She lunged, her hand grabbing my arm, her nails digging into my flesh.

In the blink of an eye, the shadow from the corner was standing in front of me. Huxley.

He didn't even glance at Selena.

He simply extended two fingers, and as if plucking the wings off a fly, his fingers closed around her wrist like a steel trap.

"Ahhh!" Selena screamed in pain, her hand flying off me.

"Let go! You filthy monster!" she shrieked, her voice a cocktail of shock and rage. "You and your whole cursed pack belong in a gutter to rot!"

Huxley was completely unfazed by her insults.

Not a single ripple of emotion crossed his face or his molten gold eyes.

He didn't care.

But I did.

I took a sharp step forward, planting myself in front of Huxley.

I faced Selena’s twisted expression, my voice colder than hers.

"Shut your mouth. Don't you dare talk about him like that."

Selena was stunned speechless, probably shocked that I would defend this"monster."

And I could feel it clearly—the statue-like body behind me went completely still.

Just then, Colton arrived, surrounded by a crowd of admirers.

He moved like a king, basking in their flattery.

"Colton, it looks like the title of Alpha King is yours for the taking!" one Alpha toasted, sucking up. "None of us can compete with your methods!"

Colton swirled the wine in his glass, a smirk on his face. "The throne has always belonged to those who are willing to do whatever it takes."

His gaze swept the room, finally landing on us.

He strolled over, completely ignoring Huxley and me, and gently pulled a shaken Selena into his arms.

His hand rested on her waist, like he was displaying a perfect masterpiece.

"My Luna," he murmured, his tone gentle but his eyes full of menace, "your destiny is to be a queen. Why waste your time on losers and monsters?"

"Losers and monsters." The words were aimed at us like daggers.

With Colton backing her up, Selena's arrogance soared.

She nestled against him, as if she were already on the throne.

She looked at me, her eyes dripping with contempt and victory.

"Did you hear that, Ronnie? Some people are destined to stand at the top of the world. And you? You and your monster belong in a dark corner, waiting to die."

I'm done with this pathetic circus.

"Let's go," I said to Huxley.

He gave me a long, deep look.

There was something in it I couldn't quite read.

Then, he nodded.