Chapter 1

Under the ancient covenant, sisters of the Crescent Clan must be mated on the same full moon.

Our veils stay on until we cross into our new Alpha's land.

For three years, I've waited for Kain.

My body was wasting away from the silver blight.

Today, his ceremonial convoy finally arrived.

I was about to step outside, my heart pounding with hope.

Then I heard his voice through the thin wooden wall.

He was giving orders to his Beta.

"Take Sara to my car first. She's too delicate for the Shadow Mountains. That place would kill her before the first frost."

His Beta sounded troubled.

"But Alpha... Lady Lyra was poisoned saving your life. To swap mates now breaks the sacred covenant. The Elders will demand a reckoning."

"I've already paid off the ceremony priestess. And I'll handle my mother."

His voice was cold, decisive.

"I am the strongest warrior in our clan. They won't cast me out over this... inconvenience. Lyra can go to the Shadow Mountains. I have ways to get her medicine, to keep her alive. But Sara? She wouldn't last a day. Lyra will have to take the hit."

Behind the wall, I swallowed back a wave of nausea.

Thick, dark blood dripped from my lips.

He knew exactly how sick I was.

But in his clever little calculation, I was the one who could be sacrificed.

I didn't scream or cry.

I just calmly stepped back into my stone house.

They probably expected me to find out and go insane.

To tear apart the entire convoy in a fit of rage.

Instead, I just let my attendants guide me.

I stepped into the black off-road vehicle heading for the Shadow Mountains.

Ready to become the mate of a monstrous, brutal Alpha.

"Lyra, don't make a scene. Sara wouldn't survive a single day in the Shadow Mountains. You go, and I'll have medicine smuggled to you. In a few days, I'll find an excuse and bring you back."

Kain's voice came through the window, crystal clear.

He was on his strong war wolf, riding right beside us.

His tone was gentle, filled with that usual, arrogant certainty.

He spoke as if I wasn't his mate of three years, the one being shipped off to a monster.

I sat perfectly still inside the transport.

My hands were folded neatly in my lap.

No tears. No shouting.

I didn't even open the window to confront him.

There was a moment of silence outside.

Kain was pleased with my silence.

His voice softened even more.

"I know you feel wronged. But Sara is so timid. She was crying the whole time she got into the car. That moonstone charm my mother left for you? I gave it to Sara to calm her down. Her body is always so cold. She needs it more than you do. You've always been the understanding one. You wouldn't hold this against your sister, would you?"

My fingers, resting on my knees, went rigid.