Chapter 3

The car jolted over the rugged mountain pass.

With every bump, the silver poison burned through my veins.

I closed my eyes, curling deeper into my ceremonial gown.

I didn't know how much time passed before we lurched to a halt.

Outside, there were no celebratory howls.

No cheering clan. Just a chilling silence.

The door was wrenched open.

Icy mountain wind blasted in, and a violent shiver wracked my body.

A large, calloused hand appeared before me.

"My Luna, watch your step."

His voice was deep, not savage like the rumors claimed.

It was calming.

Without hesitating, I placed my ice-cold hand in his.

The man tensed the moment our skin touched.

But he didn't pull away.

His grip tightened, enveloping my hand completely.

Heat poured from his palm, carrying the steady force of an Alpha.

He led me past a raging bonfire and up a long flight of stone steps.

The warmth only retreated when he settled me onto a bed of soft furs.

My veil was lifted with the tip of an obsidian staff.

I looked up into eyes as deep and dark as a frozen lake.

Draven. The Alpha of the Shadow Mountains.

He was dressed in black ceremonial leathers.

His gaze was fixed on my deathly pale face.

Then, from his sleeve, he produced a clean linen cloth.

"Wipe the blood from your mouth."