PROLOGUE

“Are you sure about this, Mica? You do know that there's no going back once this is done, right?”

I rolled my eyes for the hundredth time, starting to get tired of my aunt's questions.

“I already told you auntie, I am sure. I want to do this, and there's nothing you could do or say right now that would change my mind.”

She sighed, the sound mixing with the hushed whispers of the council members sitting in the hall.

“Perhaps you should consider rethinking, Lady Mica. This is a critical decision and - well something like this have never been done before.” One of the council members, Beta Aidren said softly, “your husband is a Beta from another pack and you are your father's only heir. He's handing this pack over to you for a reason - and that reason is definitely not for you to hand everything to your husband.”

The others nodded their approval.

I spared my father a glance for the first time since I made my announcement, and my heart beat accelerated at the blank expression on his face as he met my gaze.

I couldn't tell if he was angry or just dissapointed in me - his eyes and face were just a neutral mask so there was no way to tell what he was thinking.

“I'm grateful to my father for trusting me,” I said turning back to Beta Aiden, “Which is why I need you all to trust me too that I have thought about this and it's the best thing for us. Richard is smarter, stronger and has more knowledge about the outside world than all of us. He has everything it takes to lead this pack and - isn't it smart to let him take us to higher heights?”

“He can do that by your side as your mate.” My aunt said but I shook my head strongly.

“This is my final decisions auntie and I'm not going back on it. I want to make my mate, Richard the Alpha of Silver Crest Pack - I want him to take my place.”

Richard's hands squeezed mine and I gave him a reassuring squeeze of my own.

I knew just how scared and nervous he was about this - it had taken weeks to talk him into what I was currently doing.

Richard has being my mate for five years and husband for the past two.

I loved him with everything in me but that wasn't the only reason behind this decision. Richard has everything it takes to be an Alpha…better than I do.

They might not understand me but in a few months they would when they see just how smart he can be.

“Is this your final decision, Mica?” My father asked, talking for the first time.

I didn't hesitate, “Yes father.”

He paused for a few beats before releasing a breath, “fine. You are smart so I trust that you have thought this through. You do know that you will be handing over not just the title but your Alpha link and title. Which means that you will be left without your powers, right?”

I nodded, “I know all these father.”

But that was a small price to pay because I'm doing this for our pack. I'm doing this for my family.

Richard's knowledge from years of exploring the world and smartness would help us in different ways. He could be the best leader we've ever had.

I'm sure about this.

“Very well then. Start the handing over ritual.”

Murmurs of protest rose in the hall, but he lifted his hand and silenced everyone in the room, “Mica is an adult and she's the one with the power now. It's her decision to make, we cannot stop or change that. Besides - I trust my daughter to make the best decisions.”

“Thank you, father.”

My aunt approached Richard and I with a bowl of water, her face void of any emotion. She was probably mad at me, but we would sort that out later. She'd understand me soon - she would see into my vision.

“I hope you know you are taking a huge risk” she whispered, giving Richard a glance, “I hope you do not regret this.”

My only response was a tight smile as she set the bowl in front of a table before us and stepped away.

“Are you ready?” I gave Richard a grin.

The smile he gave me in return was an unsure one, “I don't know about this Mica.”

“Come on, we talked about this. You will do just fine, darling.”

He shrugged, “I hope I do not disappoint you, Mica. I hope…”

I placed a finger over his lips to shush him, “Richard, I love you to the stars and beyond. And I trust you with my own life so I know that you would NEVER let me down, nor Silver Crest Pack. So take a deep breath, let's get this done with.”

He took a deep breath, to calm his nerves and gave me a smile that was more sure this time around.

I held his hand and dipped it into the bowl of water, and with a deep breath started the recital.

“Blood to blood, earth to earth - by the power in me and with the moon and universe bearing me witness - I, Mica Silvers hereby hand over that bestowed unto me to Richard Mocco.”

The moment I said the last word I felt something leave me with such a rush that it had me gasping.

Suddenly, I felt…empty - and cold.

This is it.

My powers as an Alpha blood is gone.

“Is it done?” My aunt asked, leaning closer to us.

I looked at Richard for confirmation and grinned when he opened his eyes and they were golden.

It is done.

My mate, Richard, was now the Alpha of Silver Crest.

“Yes, it is.” He answered and grinned.

A breath of relief left me.

“I'm so proud…”

I was cut off by a loud clapping and I turned to see my aunt grinning and taking a few steps towards us.

Why was she suddenly happy?

“Wow!” She breathed, “We did it! We really did it, baby.”

What….?

I froze instantly when Richard dropped my hand as if he was burnt by it, stood up and walked over to stand beside my aunt with a grin.

And my heart shattered in a million pieces as I watched my mate, the love of my life, wrap an arm around my aunt, and draw her close for a kiss.

What on earth was happening?

“Richard?” I called. I wanted to say something more or ask what the fuck he was doing but I was too shaken and shockrd to say anything other than his name.

“What's going on here, Kira?” My father roared, asking exactly the question I had in my mind.

But there were about a million more I wanted to ask.

Why was my mate hugging and kissing my aunt?

Why on earth was he staring at me with such a strange look in his eyes?

“What's going on here, dear brother-in - law, is that you have a very stupid daughter. And she just signed your death warrant.”

Gasps filled the room, and as if a certain realization dawned on everyone, the elders all stood up from their seats immediately and headed for the door.

“Stop right there,” Richard bellowed, “anyone who takes the next step will be the first to die.”

“What is going on?” Beta Aiden demanded, with a shaky voice.

I didn't move. I didn't dare move or say a word - not that I would if I wanted to.

Every bone in my body was quivering.

“Richard, “ I gasped out again.

“Thank you Mica,” he said, “when Kira came to me with this plan I had no belief that it would work, at least not this easily but - well thanks to your stupidity and naivety it was so easy having you wrapped around my fingers as soon as we met.”

Plans?

What plans?

I still couldn't understand what was going on - or perhaps I did but my brain, my heart was not willing to accept it.

Because accepting it would mean that my mate had deceived me, and used me as a pawn in a game for years.

Accepting it would mean that I had willingly handed everything over to this cold looking bastard I was currently staring at.

But I wouldn't accept it.

“It's obvious y'all are still confused so I'll make it clear to you.” Aunt Kira said, “Richard here - whose real name is Zayden by the way - is my husband. We got married five years ago. That was a few months before you two met.”

A quiver wrecked through me but I still said nothing as she continued.

“What I'm trying to say is that I planted him into your life for this very purpose. To get you into falling in love with him - and manipulate you into handing over the pack and your powers to him.”

Her words slashed through my heart like the sharp edge of a dagger.

“And you made it so easy so thank you - for your cooperation.”

“Why?” I gasped out, tears rolling down my cheeks.

But Kira only smirked and said nothing.

“Kira! How could you?!” Father roared standing up from his chair and walking over to them, “How dare you?! I'm going to make you pay and regret this you traitor!”

Kira cackled, “there's nothing you can do. You are powerless now, remember?”

My father's eyes widened and I shivered again.

“Guards!!! Guards!!!”

But no one answered him.

“All your guards are dead - father,” Richard said, “except the ones who have agreed to be part of our games.”

As if on cue, the door opened and different men - dressed in strange guard outfits filled the room - at least a dozen of them - surrounding us.

“Kill them all,” Richard said and I gasped, “Starting from the former Alpha.”

“No! No!” Suddenly finding my voice and able to move my bones I got up from the chair and launched towards Richard and Kira.

But before I could land my blow, a strong arm grabbed mine and before I could react, Richard's fist connected with my jaw and I yelled as a fresh wave of pain burst through me.

He pushed me away, and two guards grabbed my hands.

“No! You can't do this! I trusted you, Richard!!!”

“And your poor judgement is my luck, sweetheart.”

“Mica.”

I turned and saw my dad held down on his knees by two men.

Blood stained one corner of his lips and his eyes had tears in them.

He looked disappointed and that look in his eyes as he stared at me broke the little part of me that I was trying to hold together.

All the council members were also held down by the guards.

How could I be so foolish to get us here?

It seems like everything was happening so fast and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

“Richard please I beg you - don't hurt my father. Don't…”

But he wasn't listening to me. And there was nothing I could do but yell, watch and scream as one of the guards took out a dagger, and sliced my father's throat open with it.