Chapter 4

A hundred voices rise at once.

Wolves turn to each other, whispering fast.

Several Alphas look at me with hunger they do not bother to hide.

I know what they see.

White Wolves are almost extinct. True healers are even rarer.

My blood can pull silver poisoning from a wound, calm a dying wolf, and keep a weak pup alive long enough to take its first breath.

To the males watching me, I am not a heartbroken bride. I am power without a mark on her neck.

For one wild second, I think someone may step forward.

The Stone Creek heir shifts his weight.

The second Alpha's son of Red Hollow pack looks at my throat.

Then Damon laughs. The sound cuts through the hall.

"Go on," he says, spreading his arms. "Take her."

No one moves.

His smile turns cruel. "Let's see which one of you has the spine to mess up with the Blackthorn Pack."

Alphas lower their eyes and look away.

Damon walks toward me slowly, sure of himself again.

"You forgot something, Selene." His voice drops low, "Your name is tied to mine, to the Blackthorn Pack."

I stand still.

He leans closer. "Any wolf who accepts you right now challenges the Blackthorn, challenge me."

His gaze sweeps the room.

"And no one here is stupid enough to risk war for a she-wolf with no pack behind her."

"Not even you are a White wolf." Damon hardened his tone, "You are precious, but you also bring danger."

"Only the Blackthorn pack is powerful enough to protect you from those who wanted to abuse your power."

No pack behind me.

The words land exactly where he wants them to.

Blackthorn raised me, and Blackthorn can cage me if it chooses.

Damon reaches for my hand.

"Enough," he says. "Stop embarrassing yourself."

That voice used to make me feel safe. Now it feels like a rope closing around my throat.

"If you apologize to Lila and the guests now, I'll pretend this never happened."

Behind him, Lila wipes her cheeks. When Damon's back turns, her mouth curves just slightly.

I do not take his hand. But… to be honest, I do not know where to go either.

The doors suddenly slam open.

Cold air rushes inside, carrying the scent of rain and pine.

Luna Seraphine enters with six Blackthorn warriors behind her. Every step makes lower-ranked wolves drop their eyes.

She sees Lila first. Then she crosses the altar and slaps her.

The crack echoes off the stone walls.

Lila falls to the floor with a cry, clutching her belly.

Damon snarls. "Mother!"

Seraphine turns on him. "You bring a nobody to your mating ceremony?"

His jaw works, but he says nothing.

Then Seraphine looks at me. Her face softens so quickly it almost seems real.

"Selene," she says. "Poor child. Damon has shamed you today."