Chapter 1

The notorious Alpha of the Black Wolf pack, Kellen Blackwood, had doted on me for five years.

But in the end, he sided with his lover, Ella Foster, who was carrying his child, and let my brother, Rex Hayes, be sentenced to exile in the Frozen Wastes.

During the trial, Kellen even applauded the verdict. He said that exile was already a mercy.

It was only when I saw Ella's pregnant belly that I realized the love I had believed in for five years had been a lie.

...

"Rex's just being exiled to the Frozen Wastes. It's not the end of the world. Stop making such a fuss!" Kellen snapped.

I never thought I'd hear those words come out of Kellen's mouth.

Just last night, he had held me in his arms and softly promised me that the Black Wolf pack would always be just and fair.

But now, he was personally sending Rex to his doom.

I turned around, staggering, and grabbed his arm with all my strength. My voice came out dry and rough. "Why, Kellen? Why are you doing this?"

He pulled my hand off his arm, his gaze cold and distant. "I told you. Rex killed someone. He has to pay the price."

Anxiously, I said, "But you know it was self-defense! If he hadn't fought back, the one who died would have been..."

"That's not important, Lilith. I promised Ella I would protect her. She's pregnant with my pup. She can't be upset."

I lifted my head and stared hard at Kellen's indifferent expression.

"So, you're saying Rex's life just doesn't matter? Ella can't be upset because she's having your pup, but what about me? What about Rex? What about all the unfairness we've had to endure? Who is supposed to pay for that?" I demanded.

Kellen frowned. "You don't need to worry. You're my mate, Lilith. No one in the Black Wolf pack would dare say a word against you. When Rex comes back from the Frozen Wastes, I'll make sure he spends the rest of his life safe here."

I let out a bitter laugh as tears began to fall. "So, we have to just obey you and live however you want us to, is that it?"

A look of irritation crossed Kellen's face. "Lilith, you need to learn your place. This matter is over!"

I needed to learn my place?

I pulled my hand away, contempt and bitterness churning in my chest. "What if I refuse?"

His gaze grew darker, and his expression turned cold as a frozen lake.

"You should understand that the verdict will be the same without Ella's testimony, no matter how many times you appeal. Besides…"

He leaned in close. His breath fanned against my ear, but his gaze drifted over my shoulder. "Lilith, you wouldn't want someone else to suffer because of you, would you?"

"Kellen, you're so cruel!" I cried.

All my emotions turned into bitter disappointment and stuck in my throat.

I dropped my shoulders and walked toward the door, feeling like every step weighed a ton.

At the doorway, Ella stood wrapped in Kellen's cloak, her gaze cold and full of malice as she looked at me.

"You're leaving? You're the sister of a murderer. Shouldn't you kneel before the Moon Goddess' statue and confess Rex's crime in front of the entire Black Wolf pack?"

I gave a cold laugh. "A murderer? If Rex hadn't been there, your father would have torn that Omega apart. And you knew I was Kellen's mate—"

Before I could finish, Kellen suddenly clamped his hand over my mouth from behind. "Lilith, Ella's right. Someone in your family has to apologize and atone. If you won't do it, then your mother will."

I turned my head to look at him. I truly couldn't understand how the man who once swore to protect me could become so heartless.