Chapter 2

They loaded me into a crude iron cage and drove me toward the border — toward the Pale Ridge crossing.

My legs had been roughly bandaged, but silver poisoning kept the wounds from closing.

Blood soaked through the wrappings and fused with the fabric; every lurch of the road sent a fresh spike of agony up my spine.

The guard assigned to transport me was one of Killian's own men.

He kept his head down the entire ride and only passed a water bottle through the bars when my thirst became impossible to hide.

"General. Forgive me."

He said it every time.

I took the bottle and drank in silence.

I had no hatred left for him. I was saving all of it.

Seven days later, the cage stopped at Pale Ridge.

The handoff was staged in open ground between the two packs' front lines.

Two Black Rock soldiers yanked me from the cage and dropped me in the dirt.

I lifted my head and found her — the reason I was here. Lily.

She wore clean clothes and a heavy fur-lined coat, cradled at the center of my three brothers like something irreplaceable.

Her face was pale but unmarked. Not a scratch.

Black Rock's alpha, Valeria, sat astride her black war-wolf, staring down at me with open contempt.

Her pack had been crushed beneath my command — twice.

"Elena Ashford." Her voice carried the pleasure of someone who had waited a long time. "Look at you now."

I didn't look at her. My gaze pushed past her and locked onto my brothers.

Cassian stepped forward and dipped his head toward Valeria.

"Alpha Valeria. The exchange is complete. Release Lily now."

His voice carried a careful deference that made my stomach turn.

Valeria laughed and pointed her riding crop at me.

"This is the Frost Moon war general? Can't even stand. Pathetic."

Her wolves laughed with her.

My brothers' faces tightened with brief shame, but none of them spoke.

They only pulled Lily closer.

Lily leaned out from behind Cassian and looked at my shattered legs.

Those wide, always-glistening eyes held no guilt — only a bright, unmistakable glint of triumph.

She curved her lips at me. Just barely.

A silent gloat. A winner's smile.