Chapter 3

By that afternoon, the whole pack house knows.

Alpha Killian has claimed Vanessa as his Luna. The mating ceremony is set for the third of next month.

It moves through the halls like fire. Maids, guards, everyone buzzing. Red banners going up by sundown. Alphas from neighboring packs sending gifts before nightfall.

So this is what it looks like when an Alpha takes the female he actually wants.

Last life, my mating ceremony took one day to plan.

He looked at me with empty eyes. "My parents are dead. You're a rogue's daughter. We're not making a fuss."

I nodded. He saved me and wanted to make me his Luna. I had no reason to say no.

His parents had been Alphas. Guarded the northern border for two generations. Died there. That was the official story.

My father was Beta of the Whitepine pack. Got dragged into a power struggle between two of the Lycan King's heirs. Our whole pack got slaughtered. Thirty-five wolves. Dead in one night for nothing.

Killian taking in the only orphan to clear his debt to my father — nobody questioned it.

He just didn't love me. That was all.

I touch my face. Wet. I wipe it fast.

Cried once. That's enough.

That night, Vanessa crawls into my bed like we're little she-pups again.

"Cara. Are you happy I'm getting mated?"

I pick my words. "Of course. Alpha Killian is good to you. He'll be a good mate."

She looks at me. "Yes. He will."

Her voice changes.

"But I'm worried about you. We're rogue's daughters, Cara. The King hates our pack name. One day even an Alpha won't be able to protect you."

I don't fully get it. But ten years with Killian taught me how to read a face.

Something cold in her eyes. Something pulling away.

I make my voice small. "Sister — what should I do?"

She strokes my hair. "Don't be scared. I'll find you a mate of your own."

Next day, she takes me out. Excuse: buying things for the ceremony. Real reason: she lines up four males for me.

I turn down them all. Warriors remind me of Killian.

The last one is Caleb. Beta of a smaller pack on the south side. Soft eyes. Quiet voice. Hands that have never held a blade.

He gives me a small handmade rabbit toy at our first meeting. Little wood-carved thing with floppy ears.

I want to give him something back. I sneak into the kitchen the second we're home.

I'm not good at much. But I can bake. Even Killian — who never said a kind word — used to eat what I made without complaining.

Honey cakes. My mother's recipe.

I want Vanessa to taste one first. I head to her wing with the box.

The first person I see in the courtyard is Killian.

I drop my eyes. "Alpha."

He walks toward me. Slow. His eyes drop to the box.

The mockery is so casual it burns. He reaches in. Takes a cake. Crushes it between his fingers.

"Cara. You really aren't afraid to die, are you."

Low and mean.

My lips go white.

You don't owe him anything anymore.

I step back. Keep my voice flat.

"These are for my sister. And for Caleb. If the Alpha wants honey cakes, the kitchen can make some."

His hand stops.

"Caleb. Who is Caleb."

The door opens. Vanessa walks in, light as anything.

"Caleb is the Beta I picked for Cara."