Chapter 1

At the Shadow pack's Moon Ceremony, the wolfsbane smoke mingled with a metallic stench in the air. The fumes burned my throat until I tasted blood.

My wolf, Nina, thrashed inside me, her pale gray form straining so violently it felt ready to rip through my skin.

By alliance law, I was supposed to stand beside Cyrus Miller as his appointed mate. Instead, two warriors held me down in the corner, their grips crushing my shoulders.

Meanwhile, Cyrus stood rigid. His wolf, Blaze, unleashed an aura so heavy that my knees nearly gave out. Yet, that same aura became a shield for Sophia Grant, who leaned coyly into his arms.

Cyrus raised a hand over her head, letting the wolfsbane-laden droplets fall onto his left shoulder instead. The skin there blanched and blistered instantly, but he didn't even flinch.

"An outsider stays an outsider. Sophia's the one who belongs at Alpha Cyrus' side," one snarled.

The other added with a sneer, "She's just a lowborn from the Lunar pack. She isn't fit to even stand near Alpha Cyrus!"

The insults hit me hard. I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my palms. Blood dripped to the ground, swirling with the purple wolfsbane haze.

I tried to step forward, but the warriors holding me clamped their hands around my waist.

"An appointed mate like you isn't allowed near Alpha Cyrus!" one hissed.

Nina let out a low growl within me. Dizziness washed over me, but I gritted my teeth, refusing to fall. "I'm Cyrus' mate. By alliance law—"

"Law?" One of them spat in my face. "Alpha Cyrus hasn't claimed you as his own, so you're nothing but a mutt!"

Spit slid down my cheek into my mouth, tasting both salty and metallic.

Cyrus finally looked my way. His eyes swept over the grime on my face before he tilted his chin at the warriors restraining me. "Keep her out of Sophia's sight."

At that moment, Nina went utterly still. I watched as Cyrus lowered his gaze to Sophia, his lips curving into a gentle smile.

"If you're tired, just say so. I'll take you to the private chamber to rest," he said softly.

Sophia nodded with a smile. As her fingers brushed across his collarbone, she deliberately shot me a provocative look.

The recording crystal caught every second of it, and the footage spread through the pack within minutes. Even the Lunar pack's envoy sent me a message.

It read, "You're on your own. Our pack won't be able to protect you."

…

As soon as I returned to the cabin, the pile of hay stacked by the door hit me with the sharp, bitter sting of wolfsbane. The moment I drew close, my legs went weak, and heat seared through my organs.

In the next instant, I collapsed to the ground. Nina struggled violently inside me, but not even the faintest shadow of her form could break through.

Just then, footsteps sounded behind me. Cyrus and Sophia walked side by side, their laughter grating on my nerves.

"The pups didn't know any better and put it in the wrong place."

Cyrus' tone was indifferent, as if he were talking about the weather. He didn't even spare me a single glance.

"Just bear with it. They'll clear it tomorrow," he added.

"Bear with it?" I lifted my head, fury blazing in my eyes. "You're trying to poison me!"

Sophia scoffed and kicked at the hay pile. All at once, the stalks scattered, and the scent of wolfsbane intensified. I couldn't help but cough violently.

"You're so weak! It's just a little wolfsbane, and you're already whining? Pathetic!"

Then, she crouched and ground the tip of her silver-lined boot into the back of my hand. "Do yourself a favor—leave!"

"How dare you insult me!"

Nina surged inside me, and my claws shot out in an instant. However, Cyrus' aura crashed down on me like a boulder, pinning me to the ground and rendering me immobile.

"Chloe Sawyer, know your place," he said coldly. "You're here for a political bonding, not to stir up trouble. Sophia is a hero of this pack, so you should respect her."

I stared at him. Suddenly, I burst out laughing, while tears of humiliation streamed down my face.

"A hero? You mean a hero for stealing someone else's mate?" I shot back.

"How dare you!"

Cyrus brought his foot down on the back of my hand. In an instant, my bones shattered with a sickening snap. "Apologize!"

"I did nothing wrong! She's the one who should apologize!" I roared.

He pressed down harder. Nina's anguished howl tore through my mind, and I trembled uncontrollably from the pain.

Cyrus leaned down, his cold breath brushing my ear as he threatened, "You refuse to apologize, huh? Then you'll go hungry and thirsty until you admit your fault."

Beside him, Sophia clapped her hands and laughed. "Alpha Cyrus, don't waste your breath. If she's not dying, she can endure it."

With that, they turned and left. The cabin door slammed shut behind them, and they locked me in.

Wolfsbane spread through my veins, turning my skin a faint purple. As my consciousness blurred, only one thought remained—I'd make Cyrus and Sophia bleed for this.