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1; Scent of Betrayal The music was too loud, the lights were too bright, and the scent of desperate she-wolves was making me nauseous. “Stop fidgeting,” Rhea hissed, elbowing me in the ribs. She took a sip of her cheap wine, her eyes scanning the crowded ballroom of the Pack House. “You look like you’re waiting for an execution, not a Mating Ceremony.” “It feels like an execution,” I muttered, smoothing down the fabric of my dress. It was emerald green, my favorite color—or at least, it was Grey’s favorite color on me. Back when he used to care about things like that. “He’s late, Rhea. He’s the Alpha, and he’s late to his own succession ball. That’s a statement.” “He’s busy running a multi-million dollar pack business, Aurora. Relax.” Rhea grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face her. “Look at me. You are Aurora Vance. You guys have been joined at the hip since you were five. Tonight, the moon is at its peak. The bond is going to snap, he’s going to realize what we’ve all known for years, and you’re going to be Luna. End of story.” I wanted to believe her. God, I wanted to believe her. But the Grey I grew up with—the boy who used to sneak into my room to hide from his father’s temper, the boy who promised we’d change the pack laws together—was gone. In his place was Alpha Grey Blackwood. Cold. Efficient. Lethal. He hadn’t smiled in two years. Not once. “Aurora?” I turned at the sound of the deep, steady voice. Maximus stood there, holding two flutes of champagne. He looked good in his suit, his sandy hair neatly combed, his beta aura calm and grounding. Maximus was safe. He was kind. “You look beautiful, Rory,” he said softly, handing me a glass. “Thanks, Max.” I took it, my fingers brushing his. “Have you seen him?” Maximus’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. “He’s upstairs. In the office. Branson is with him.” “Is he coming down?” “He has to,” Max said, though his tone was guarded. “It’s the law.” Before I could ask more, the atmosphere in the room shifted. It wasn't a sound; it was a pressure change. The air grew heavy, static electricity prickling along my skin. The chatter died down instantly, replaced by the rustle of silk and the shuffling of feet as wolves bowed their heads. I didn't bow. I couldn't move. Grey stood at the top of the grand staircase. He was breathtakingly terrifying. His tuxedo was black, tailored to fit the broad, muscular frame that I knew by heart. His hands were in his pockets, his posture relaxed but dominant, like a lion surveying a herd of gazelles. His jaw was set in that permanent line of indifference, his dark hair falling slightly over his forehead. He scanned the room. His eyes were devoid of emotion. No warmth. No happiness. Just ice. Then, his gaze landed on me. The world stopped. It hit me like a freight train—the Scent. It wasn't subtle. It was an avalanche of dark chocolate, rain, and burnt cedar. It flooded my senses, bringing my wolf to the surface with a howl that rattled my bones. Mate. Mate. Mine. My glass slipped from my fingers and shattered on the floor. The sound echoed in the silent hall, but I didn't care. I was drowning in him. I watched his eyes widen, just a fraction. His nostrils flared. I saw his knuckles turn white as he gripped the railing. He felt it. I knew he felt it. “Grey,” I whispered, the name falling from my lips like a prayer. I took a step forward. My heart was hammering so hard I thought it would bruise my ribs. This was it. The moment I had waited for my entire life. The validation that I wasn't crazy, that the connection we’d always shared was real. Grey didn't move. He stared at me from the top of the stairs, his expression unreadable. Then, he started walking down. He didn't rush to me. He didn't look overcome with joy. He walked with a slow, predatory grace. Every step was heavy, deliberate. The crowd parted for him, terrified and respectful, leaving a wide aisle between us. I stood frozen near the buffet table, Max and Rhea stepping back to give us space. Grey stopped two feet in front of me. The scent was intoxicating now, a drug I wanted to overdose on. I looked up into his stormy grey eyes, searching for the boy I loved. “Grey,” I breathed, reaching out to touch his arm. He caught my wrist before I could make contact. His grip was hard. Too hard. “Don't,” he said. His voice was a low growl, rough and devoid of affection. It wasn't a lover’s whisper; it was an Alpha’s command. I blinked, confused. “Grey? It’s me. It’s… the bond. You feel it.” He dropped my hand like it burned him. He looked down at me, his lip curling slightly. Not in a smile, but in something that looked dangerously close to disgust. “I feel it,” he said coldly. His voice carried, silence stretching across the ballroom. Everyone was watching. “Nature has a twisted sense of humor.” My stomach dropped. “What?” “Follow me,” he ordered. He turned on his heel and walked away, not toward the throne, but toward the side exit leading to the gardens. He didn't check to see if I was following. He knew I would. I scrambled after him, my heels clicking on the marble. “Grey! Wait!” I caught up to him on the terrace. The night air was cool, but the heat radiating off him was scorching. He walked to the stone railing and gripped it, his back to me. “Grey, talk to me,” I pleaded, my voice trembling. “Why are you acting like this? We’re mates. We’re finally mates.” He turned around slowly. The moonlight hit his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his cheekbones. He looked regal. And cruel. “And what do you think that means, Aurora?” he asked, his voice flat. “It means… it means we’re together,” I stammered. “It means I’m your Luna. It means we can finally stop pretending we don’t care about each other.” He let out a dry, humorless laugh. “My Luna.” He said the word like it was a joke. “Look at you.” I froze. “What?” He stepped closer, invading my space, his towering height making me feel small. “Look at you, Aurora. You’re wearing a dress you’ve worn to three other events. You have no political connections. Your family has no standing in the council. You are a C-rank wolf at best.” Tears pricked my eyes. “Since when do you care about rank? We were best friends, Grey! You told me—” “I was a child!” he roared, the sound causing me to flinch. “I am not a child anymore. I am the Alpha Prime of the largest territory in the North. I have enemies at every border. I need a Luna who brings an army, or wealth, or a bloodline that strengthens the pack.” He leaned down, his face inches from mine. “You bring nothing.” The words were like physical slaps. I gasped, stepping back, my hand flying to my mouth. “You don’t mean that.” “I mean every word.” His eyes were dead. “I cannot afford a weak mate. I cannot afford you.” “So… so you’re rejecting me?” My voice broke. The pain in my chest was unbearable, my wolf scratching at my insides, whining in agony. “You’re going to reject me right here?” Grey looked at me. For a second, just a second, I saw a flash of conflict in his eyes. A flicker of the boy who used to hold my hand during thunderstorms. But then he blinked, and the Alpha returned, colder than before. “I can’t have you as my Luna, Aurora. The Council wouldn’t accept it, and I won’t allow it.” He straightened his cuffs, his face impassive. “But…” Hope, stupid and pathetic, flared in my chest. “But?” He looked me up and down. It wasn't the look of a mate. It was the look of a man assessing property. “The bond is strong,” he admitted, his voice lowering to a husky timbre that sent shivers down my spine. “And my wolf… he wants you. He won’t settle for anyone else in my bed.” I frowned, confused. “I don’t understand.” Grey took a step forward, trapping me against the stone railing. He placed a hand on either side of my waist, his thumbs digging into my skin. The sparks were electric, addictive. “I need an heir,” he said bluntly. “The pack needs the bloodline to continue. And while you aren't fit to wear the crown… you are certainly fit to carry my pups.” I stared at him, horror dawning on me. “Grey… what are you saying?” He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear, his hot breath making me tremble. “I, Grey Blackwood, Alpha of the Northern Prime Pack, reject you, Aurora Vance, as my Luna and Mate.” I let out a sob as the bond snapped, a physical pain that tore through my soul. I crumpled, but his hands held me up. He wasn't done. “However,” he whispered darkly, his grip tightening. “I claim you as my Breeder.” He pulled back to look me in the eyes, his expression ruthless. “You’ll move into the Alpha suite tonight. No title. No power. You will exist for one purpose only.” He trailed a finger down my cheek, wiping away a tear. “To give me a son. Do you understand?” I couldn't breathe. My best friend. My mate. He had just stripped me of everything, only to reduce me to an incubator. “I hate you,” I whispered. Grey’s eyes darkened, and for the first time that night, he smirked. It was terrifying. 2; Property of the Alpha The word Breeder hung in the air like smoke, choking the life out of me. I didn’t have time to process the humiliation. I didn't have time to scream. Grey’s hand was still wrapped around my upper arm, his grip bruising as he hauled me away from the terrace and into the shadows of the hallway. “Grey, stop!” I dug my heels into the plush carpet, my wolf snarling in my head. She was confused—hurt by the rejection but compelled to submit to the Alpha. It was a war inside my own body. “You can’t just drag me away like this! We need to talk!” “We are done talking,” Grey growled, not breaking his stride. He moved with a terrifying speed, bypassing the elevators and shoving open the heavy oak door to the private stairwell. This led only one place: The Alpha Floor. His territory. “I’m not going up there with you,” I gasped, trying to pry his fingers off my skin. Sparks erupted everywhere we touched, a cruel reminder of the bond he had just severed with words. “I’m not your property, Grey! I’m your best friend! I’m the girl who patched up your knee when you fell off the treehouse!” He stopped. The halt was so abrupt I nearly crashed into his back. He turned slowly, and the look on his face made my blood run cold. The boy I knew wasn't just hiding; he was dead. “That girl,” he said, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper, “is gone. And so is the boy who needed her.” He crowded me against the railing, his body heat radiating through my thin dress. “You think your memories matter? You think the past buys you leverage?” He laughed, a dark, hollow sound. “This is a business arrangement, Aurora. The sooner you accept that, the easier your life will be.” “Business?” I spat, tears stinging my eyes. “You’re talking about my body! About children!” “I’m talking about duty,” he snapped. “Something you clearly know nothing about.” He grabbed my wrist again, dragging me up the stairs. I stumbled, fighting him every step of the way, but he was an Alpha Prime. He was stronger, faster, and powered by a ruthlessness I couldn't match. We reached the top floor. He scanned his palm on the bio-lock, and the double doors hissed open. The scent hit me instantly. Dark chocolate. Rain. Musk. It was everywhere. This was his sanctuary, his den. My wolf whined, her tail tucking between her legs. She wanted to roll over and bare her throat. She wanted to soothe him. I wanted to punch him. Grey shoved me inside. I stumbled into the middle of the massive living room, catching my balance on a leather armchair. The room was cold, minimalist, and devoid of any personal touch. It looked like a hotel room for a man who didn't plan on staying long. “This is where you’ll stay,” Grey said, closing the door behind him. The lock clicked with a sound of finality. “For how long?” I demanded, spinning around to face him. “Until I get pregnant? And then what? You toss me out?” Grey walked over to a small crystal decanter on the sideboard. He poured himself a drink, his movements slow, deliberate. He took a sip, the amber liquid coating his throat, before he turned his predatory gaze back to me. “You stay until the heir is weaned,” he said casually. “Then, you will be compensated. I’ll buy you a house in the Gamma sector. You’ll live comfortably.” “I don’t want your money,” I hissed. “I want to leave. Now.” I made a move toward the door. Grey was there in a blur. One second he was by the bar, the next he was blocking my path, a wall of muscle and dominance. He didn't touch me this time. He just let his Alpha aura flare, a heavy, suffocating weight that forced the air from my lungs. “Kneel,” he commanded. It wasn't a request. It was an Alpha Voice order. My knees hit the floor before my brain could even process the word. “Grey, please,” I choked out, fighting the compulsion. My hands trembled on the floorboards. It was humiliating. Degrading. “Don’t do this.” He crouched down in front of me, resting his elbows on his knees. He looked me in the eye, his expression bored. “You have no discipline, Aurora. You’re messy. Emotional.” He reached out, his finger hooking under my chin to tilt my head up. “If you’re going to carry a Prime heir, you need to learn your place.” “My place is by your side,” I whispered, a tear leaking out. “Not beneath your feet.” His eyes flashed. For a moment, I thought he might soften. I thought he might wipe the tear away like he used to. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver chain. It wasn't a necklace. It was thick, heavy, and woven with microscopic runes. A Dampener Collar. My eyes went wide. “No. Grey, no! Those are illegal! Those are for criminals!” “They are for wolves who can’t control themselves,” he corrected calmly. “I haven’t done anything!” I screamed, trying to scramble back, but the Alpha command pinned me in place. “Grey, please! It hurts! It cuts off the wolf! You can’t do this to a mate!” “I can do whatever I want to my property,” he said. He moved behind me. I felt the cold metal brush against the sensitive skin of my neck. I sobbed, clawing at my throat, but my hands wouldn't listen to me. Click. The lock engaged. A shockwave of ice blasted through my system. It felt like being dunked in freezing water. I gasped, the connection to my wolf snapping shut instantly. The strength left my limbs. The heightened senses vanished. I felt small. Human. Weak. I slumped forward, gasping for air, clutching at the metal band around my neck. It was tight. Suffocating. Grey stood up, towering over me. He adjusted his cuffs, looking down at me with zero remorse. “Better,” he said. “Now I don’t have to smell your distress. It was ruining my scotch.” I looked up at him, shaking with a mix of rage and terror. “I hate you. I swear to the Goddess, Grey, I hate you.” He smirked. It was a cold, cruel thing. “Hate me all you want, Aurora,” he said, walking toward the bedroom door. “But you’re going to be begging for me soon enough. The heat cycle starts in two days.” He paused at the threshold, his hand on the doorknob. “Get comfortable on the couch. You’re not allowed in my bed. Not until I decide you’re worth the effort.” He opened the door, stepped through, and slammed it shut. I sat there on the floor, the cold silver burning my skin, realizing with a sickening jolt that the man I loved didn't just break my heart. He had just put me in a cage. 3; The Untouchable The silver collar was a constant, icy weight against my throat. Every time I tried to reach for my wolf, I hit a wall of static that made my head throb. Without her, the penthouse felt twice as large and ten times as cold. I hadn't slept. I stayed on the couch, wrapped in a throw blanket that smelled faintly of him, hating myself for seeking comfort in his scent. The sound of the front door chime made me jump. I stood up, my legs shaky, expecting Grey. It wasn't Grey. A woman walked in like she owned the place. She was tall, with platinum blonde hair pulled back into a sleek, tight ponytail and eyes the color of toxic moss. She was wearing a white power suit that probably cost more than my life. "So," she said, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "This is the little stray Grey decided to keep in the foyer." I straightened my back, clutching the blanket around my shoulders. "Who are you?" She laughed, a sharp, melodic sound that didn't reach her eyes. She walked toward me, her heels clicking like a countdown on the marble. She stopped inches away, sniffing the air. "Ugh. You smell like a wet dog and desperation," she sneered. She reached out, her manicured finger flicking the silver collar at my neck. "A Dampener? Really? He’s even more cautious than I thought." "I asked who you are," I snapped, pulling away from her touch. "Sloane. Daughter of the Southern Alpha," she said, admiring her nails. "And more importantly, the woman who will actually be wearing the Blackwood diamonds while you’re busy being a human incubator." My heart stuttered. "The Luna candidate." "The only candidate," Sloane corrected. She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. "Grey told me about you. The childhood 'friend' with the pathetic rank. He said you were a mistake the Goddess made while she was drunk." The words felt like a jagged blade to the chest. He told her that? "Get out," I whispered. "Make me, Omega," she taunted. She knew I couldn't shift. She knew I had no power. "Oh wait, you can't. You're just a pet. A tool. Once you pop out a pup with the right DNA, you'll be tossed into the garbage where you belong." "Sloane." Grey’s voice came from the hallway, deep and warning. I looked past her. He was standing there, his jacket off, his sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms corded with muscle. He looked tired, but his gaze was sharp. "Grey, darling!" Sloane chirped, her entire demeanor shifting. She glided over to him, looping her arm through his. "I was just getting acquainted with your... project." I flinched at the word. Project. Grey didn't pull away from her. He didn't even look at me. "I told you to wait in the car, Sloane." "I got bored," she pouted, leaning her head on his shoulder. "And I wanted to see if the rumors were true. She really is as plain as they say." I looked at Grey, begging him with my eyes to say something. To defend me. To remember even a fraction of the girl he used to protect from every bully in the schoolyard. He finally looked at me. His eyes were like flint. "Go to the kitchen, Aurora," he said. "The staff left dinner. Serve it." I froze. "What?" "You heard him, sweetie," Sloane smirked. "Go play maid. The Alphas are talking." "Grey, you can't be serious," I said, my voice trembling. "You're letting her talk to me like this? You're treating me like a servant?" Grey stepped toward me, Sloane still clinging to his arm. He looked down at me, his face a mask of cold indifference. "You are here to serve a purpose, Aurora. Part of that is staying out of the way. Now, go to the kitchen. Don't make me use the Voice again." I felt the sting of tears, but I refused to let them fall in front of her. I turned and walked into the kitchen, my chest aching so badly I could barely breathe. I could hear them laughing in the other room. I heard the clink of ice in glasses. I stood by the counter, my hands shaking as I plated the food. It was salmon and asparagus—expensive, delicate, and entirely ash in my mouth. I brought the plates out to the dining table. Grey and Sloane were sitting close, their heads bent together over a map of the territories. As I set Sloane's plate down, she "accidentally" bumped my arm. The plate tilted, and the hot sauce splashed across my hand and onto her white sleeve. "Oh my Goddess!" Sloane shrieked, jumping up. "You clumsy bitch! You did that on purpose!" "I didn't—you moved!" I cried, clutching my burning hand. Grey was up in an instant. He didn't check my hand. He grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vise, and yanked me away from the table. "Apologize," he hissed. "Grey, she bumped me!" "I don't care!" he roared, his Alpha aura exploding through the room. Sloane smirked behind him, dabbing at her sleeve with a silk napkin. "Apologize to her. Now." "No," I whispered, my pride finally snapping. "I won't apologize for her being a liar." Grey’s eyes went pitch black. His wolf was right at the surface. He leaned in, his face inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. For a second, the anger in his eyes shifted into something else—something dark, hungry, and dangerously romantic. He looked at my lips, and his grip on my wrist softened, his thumb brushing against my pulse point. My heart raced. Is he going to kiss me? Then, the cold returned. "You'll learn," he murmured, his voice sending a chill down my spine. He turned to Sloane. "Go home, Sloane. I'll handle this." "But Grey—" "Go," he commanded. Sloane huffed, grabbing her bag. She shot me one last look of pure venom before disappearing out the front door. Once the door clicked shut, the silence in the room became suffocating. Grey was still holding my wrist. He pulled me closer, his body towering over mine. "You think you can defy me because of our history?" he asked, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "I think you're a monster," I choked out. He chuckled, a dark, dry sound. He reached up, his hand tangling in my hair, pulling my head back so I had to look at him. His eyes searched mine, and for a heartbeat, I saw a flash of absolute agony in them. "You have no idea what a monster I can be, Aurora." He suddenly let go of me and stepped back, his expression turning to stone. "The Council called. They don't want to wait for the heat cycle." I blinked, confused. "What do you mean?" Grey walked to the window, looking out over the city lights. "They've authorized a medical intervention. If you aren't pregnant by the end of the week, they’re taking you to the Compound. They’ll use a lab to make sure the pregnancy happens." I felt the world tilt. The Compound was a nightmare—a sterile, concrete prison for 'difficult' breeders. "You wouldn't let them," I whispered. "Grey, please." He turned back to me, his silhouette dark against the glass. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He tossed it onto the table. Inside was a ring. Not a Luna ring. A Breeder’s Mark. "Put it on," he said. "Why?" "Because," Grey said, his voice cracking just the slightest bit, "we’re leaving for the mountain cabin in an hour. If the Council thinks I’m handling it myself, they stay away." "And if they don't?" Grey walked over to me, his hand resting on the silver collar at my neck. He leaned down, his lips ghosting over mine. "Then I have to break you before they do." Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at it, and his entire face went pale—actually pale. 4; The king of Shadows I stared at my reflection in the polished obsidian of the kitchen counter. I was twenty-seven years old today. Most wolves celebrated their twenty-third year as the peak of their prime—the age where their wolf and human forms were in perfect harmony. Instead, I was standing in a billionaire’s kitchen with a silver band choking the life out of my soul, being treated like a ghost in the house I was supposed to lead. Growing up, I was the one everyone looked to. The Vance bloodline wasn't royal, but we were respected. I was the girl who could run faster than the boys, the one who spent every summer at Grey's side, dreaming of the day we’d lead the Northern Prime together. Now, I was just a breeder. “The tea is getting cold, Aurora.” Sloane’s voice grated against my nerves. She was draped across the designer sofa in the living room, flipping through a fashion magazine like she hadn't just tried to get me thrown into a cage an hour ago. “Get it yourself, Sloane,” I said, my voice hoarse. She looked up, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. “Careful. Grey is in a foul mood this morning. One word from me, and he’ll tighten that collar until you can’t even whisper, let alone talk back.” I gripped the edge of the counter, my knuckles white. Without my wolf, I felt exposed. Raw. Every insult from Sloane felt like a physical blow because I didn't have the internal roar to drown it out. The elevator chimed, and the heavy air of the penthouse shifted. It wasn't the scent of cedar and rain. It was something sharper. Metallic. Like ozone before a storm. Grey stepped into the room, followed by Branson. Grey looked like he’d been carved from ice. His suit was charcoal grey today, his tie perfectly knotted, his eyes fixed on a tablet in his hand. “Grey, honey,” Sloane cooed, standing up to meet him. She reached for his arm, but he sidestepped her without even looking up. “Not now, Sloane,” he snapped. His voice was like a whip. He looked over at me, his gaze lingering on the collar. “Aurora. Get dressed. Something that doesn't look like you slept in a gutter.” “Why?” I asked, my voice flat. “Am I being moved to the basement?” Grey’s jaw tightened. He walked over to me, his presence so overwhelming that I had to fight the urge to step back. He reached out, his thumb catching a stray lock of my hair and tucking it behind my ear. The touch was possessive, but his eyes remained frozen. “King Zax is at the border,” Grey said, his voice a low vibration. “He’s claiming he’s here for a diplomatic visit. We both know he’s here to sniff out my weaknesses.” My heart skipped. Zax. The King of the Shadow Pack. He was the only wolf in the three territories who didn't fear Grey. He was rumors and blood, a man who had killed his own father to take the throne at nineteen. “What does that have to do with me?” I whispered. “He knows about the Breeder Initiative,” Grey said, his grip on my hair tightening just enough to be painful. “And he knows about you. He thinks because I haven't marked you as Luna, you're fair game for a challenge.” “Am I?” I challenged, looking him dead in the eye. “You rejected me, Grey. By pack law, any Alpha can claim a rejected mate if the original Alpha doesn't Mark her.” Grey’s eyes went pitch black. The room grew five degrees colder. He leaned in, his lips inches from mine. “Let him try,” Grey growled. “You are mine to use, Aurora. Not his to take. Now, go. Put on the black silk. And if you speak a single word to him without my permission, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of the week.” Thirty minutes later, I stood by Grey’s side in the formal receiving hall. The collar was hidden beneath a high-necked black dress, but I could still feel it—a constant, burning reminder of my status. Sloane stood on Grey’s other side, her hand tucked firmly into the crook of his elbow. He didn't pull away this time. He let her stand there, playing the role of the future Luna while I stood a half-step behind them, like a shadow. The heavy double doors swung open. Zax didn't walk; he swaggered. He was taller than Grey, with skin the color of mahogany and eyes that were a startling, piercing gold. He wasn't wearing a suit. He wore leather trousers and a dark silk shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest, revealing a jagged scar that ran from his collarbone to his heart. He looked like trouble. He looked like the kind of man who enjoyed chaos. “Blackwood,” Zax boomed, his voice echoing in the hall. He didn't bow. He just nodded, his gaze already wandering. “You’ve redecorated. Very... sterile.” “Zax,” Grey replied, his Alpha aura flaring in a silent warning. “You’re a long way from the Shadow Mountains. I don’t recall inviting you.” “Since when do I wait for an invitation to a party?” Zax laughed. His eyes finally landed on the women. He gave Sloane a cursory glance, then his golden eyes locked onto me. The air in the room seemed to vibrate. “And this...” Zax said, his voice dropping an octave. He ignored Grey entirely, walking straight toward me. “This must be the famous Aurora Vance.” Grey moved instantly, stepping in front of me to block Zax’s path. “She’s not here for your entertainment, Zax.” Zax tilted his head, a predatory grin spreading across his face. “I heard the rumors, Grey. I heard you found your fated mate and threw her away like yesterday’s trash. I didn't believe it. No Alpha is that stupid.” “Watch your tongue,” Grey hissed, his hand dropping to the hilt of the ceremonial dagger at his belt. “Or what?” Zax challenged, his gold eyes flashing. “You’ll reject me too?” Zax looked over Grey’s shoulder, meeting my eyes. There was a weird intelligence in his gaze—a look that said he knew exactly what was under my dress. He knew about the collar. “You look pale, little wolf,” Zax said to me. “Does the Alpha of the North not feed his pets?” “She’s not a pet,” Grey spat. “Really?” Zax smirked. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, blood-red rose. He tossed it, and it landed perfectly at my feet. “Because I’ve always preferred my females with a bit more... fire. If you ever get tired of being a ghost, Aurora, the Shadow Pack is always looking for a Queen.” The silence that followed was deafening. Sloane let out a sharp, offended gasp. “How dare you! Grey, are you going to let him insult us like this?” Grey didn't answer her. He was staring at Zax, his entire body vibrating with suppressed rage. I waited for him to defend me. I waited for him to roar that I was his, that no one else could even look at me. Instead, Grey turned to me. “Pick it up,” Grey said. I blinked. “What?” “Pick up the flower, Aurora,” Grey repeated, his voice cold and command-heavy. “And give it back to him. Tell him you have no need for gifts from a stray.” I looked at the rose, then at Zax, who was watching me with an amused glint in his eyes. Then I looked at Grey. He was using me as a pawn. He wanted me to humiliate myself to settle his ego. “No,” I said softly. Grey’s head snapped toward me. “What did you say?” “I said no,” I said, my voice gaining strength. “If you want to play games with your rival, leave me out of it.” I turned to walk away, but Grey grabbed my arm. He didn't care that Zax was watching. He didn't care that the guards were whispering. He spun me around, his fingers digging into my skin. “You will do as you’re told,” he hissed in my ear. “Make me,” I challenged. Grey’s face twisted in fury. He looked at Zax, then back at me. To my horror, he didn't pull me closer. He shoved me toward the rival King. “If you want her so bad, Zax, take her for the night,” Grey said, his voice loud enough for the entire hall to hear. My heart shattered. I looked at Grey, the man I had loved for two decades, and saw nothing but a stranger. Sloane chuckled beside him, her hand going to her mouth in mock surprise. Zax caught me by the waist, his touch firm and startlingly warm. He looked at Grey with genuine disgust. “You really are a piece of work, Blackwood.” Zax looked down at me, his golden eyes searching mine. “Are you alright, Aurora?” I couldn't speak. I was looking at Grey, waiting for him to say it was a joke. Waiting for him to pull me back. But Grey just turned his back on us. “Take her to the guest wing, Zax. Just make sure she’s back in my quarters by dawn. She has work to do.” Zax leaned down, his lips brushing my forehead in a gesture that felt more like a blessing than a claim. “Don’t worry, little wolf,” Zax whispered so only I could hear. “I’m not here for a night. I’m here to take you home.” But as Zax led me away, I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my abdomen. A cramp so intense I almost doubled over. And then I felt it. A scent. Faint, but unmistakable. The scent of my own wolf, waking up for the first time since the collar was put on. But she wasn't waking up for Grey. She was waking up because something inside me was changing. I looked down at the floor as we walked, and my heart stopped. A single drop of blood hit the white marble. The Mark of the Breeder. The heat had started. 5; Heat bound The single drop of blood stared back at me from the white marble. I clenched my thighs instinctively, trying to stop the slow, warm trickle that followed. Fear surged through me, making it difficult for me to speak. “Are you alright?” Zax’s voice cut through the haze. I forced my eyes up, only to realize he'd been watching me all these while. Just when I was about to respond, my wolf snarled inside my skull, a low, desperate sound that made my temples throb. The pain in my abdomen sharpened, twisting inside me like a knife. I shut my eyes tightly and pitched forward with a choked gasp. Fortunately, strong arms caught me before I hit the floor. I looked up and found Zax gripping my waist firmly, one hand splayed protectively across my lower back. Heat radiated from his palms straight through the black silk, searing my already fevered skin. “Aurora!” His voice brought my mind back to reality, but it didn't sound like the voice of Alpha Zax that I knew. From the look on his face, I could tell that something was wrong. But I didn't know exactly what it was. I followed his gaze instantly, and that's when I found the thin crimson lines sliding down the insides of my thighs, stark against my pale skin. “You’re bleeding,” Zax blurted. “We need to get you somewhere now.” Without waiting for my response, he lifted me like I weighed nothing, and carried me down the corridor. After a short while, we finally got to a door carved with snarling wolves. Zax shouldered one open without slowing. He stepped inside and shut the door with his leg. The room was dimly lit, but sparsely furnished. There's a wide couch upholstered in dark velvet, a low table, and a single lamp placed in a corner. Zax lowered me onto the couch with surprising gentleness. My dress rode up again, sticky warmth smearing across my thighs. I winced as another cramp ripped through me like my womb was trying to claw its way out. My wolf roared loudly, battering the collar’s barrier. Static exploded behind my eyes, and I pressed both hands to my stomach, curling inward. “Hey.” Zax dropped to one knee in front of me, covering his large hand on mine. “Breathe through it. In… out. That’s it.” I followed his instructions as much as I could, while his thumb stroked slow circles over my knuckles. “I’ll be back in a minute,” Zax murmured. “You’re safe here. Everything’s going to be alright.” He straightened and turned toward the door, leaving me lying helplessly on the couch. Suddenly, the doorknob turned, and he froze mid-step, clenching his fists at his sides. My heart plummeted into my stomach as I thought about the visitor. Grey! It had to be Grey. Coming to drag me back. Coming to finish what he'd started. Slowly, the door opened and Rhea stepped inside instead. She stopped dead as soon as her eyes landed on Zax, then clasped her trembling hands behind her back. “What do you want?” Zax blurted. “A-Alpha Grey… he ordered me to take both of you to the guest quarters. He said she’s… she’s still his responsibility.” Zax’s bursted out in laughter. To him, it's probably funny. But for me, I found it surprising. "And you didn’t hear the part where I said I’m taking her home?” Zax asked, clearly annoyed. Rhea’s lips parted, but no sound came out. She closed it again, then pressed her lips tightly together. “Get out,” Zax ordered, but unfortunately she refused to move. Instead, she glanced at me, then at the floor, before turning back to Zax who's clearly trying to conceal his anger. If there's anything Alphas hates the most, it's disobedience of order, and Rhea was clearly overstepping her boundaries. As soon as Zax began to walk toward her, Rhea turned swiftly to the door and pushed it open in a haste. “Wait.” Zax's voice echoed in the room, and Rhea froze like a rabbit under a hawk’s shadow. He glanced at me, then back at Rhea who didn't dare turn to look at him. “I need a bucket of warm water, clean towels, and whatever else you can find—clean clothes, maybe some herbs if the staff keeps any. Then come back and scrub that blood off the hallway floor before anyone else sees it.” “Y-yes, Alpha.” She turned to leave again, but paused and glanced at me for the last time, widening her eyes in horrified understanding. “What are you waiting for?” Zax roared, glaring hard at her. “I’m sorry, Alpha. Right away.” Rhea spun and practically ran from the room, slamming the door shut behind her. The silence that followed was worse. But it's better than being in a lively place where no one likes you. Zax exhaled, and his shoulders dropped slightly. He crossed back to me in two strides and crouched again, closer this time. His scent surged through my nostrils, and my wolf whimpered, pressing against my ribs like she wanted to crawl inside his skin. “You don’t have to be afraid of me,” he said quietly. “I’m not him.” I stared at the blood still seeping down my leg. Another cramp hit, smaller but meaner. I bit my lip until I tasted blood. “I don’t even know you,” I whispered. “You know I’m not going to hurt you.” He muttered, lifting his hand and gently brushing sweat-damp hair from my forehead. “And you know I meant what I said. I’m getting you out of here.” I should've believed it, but I found myself laughing instead. “Grey will kill you for trying.” “Let him try.” Zax’s golden eyes burned. “I’ve wanted an excuse to rip his throat out since I was sixteen.” I froze instantly and searched his face for a lie, or perhaps a funny look. But all I saw was just a cold certainty. The heat became unbearable, each wave becoming hotter, tighter, and burning every part of me. My nipples ached against the silk, and between my thighs, slick mixed with blood, obscene and unstoppable. Zax’s nostrils flared instantly. He must have smelled it, he must have realized what's happening. He clenched his jaw so hard a muscle ticked. “I won’t touch you unless you ask,” he said with a rough voice. “Not tonight. Not ever, if that’s what you want.” I closed my eyes as tears burned behind my lids, trying not to succumb to the pressure building inside me. “I don’t know what I want anymore.” I mumbled, and he grabbed my hand instantly and squeezed it slowly. “Then we start with getting you clean. Getting you safe. One step at a time.”