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.
That moonstone charm was the last piece of my mother I had. It was the only thing that could keep the silver poison from taking over. I remember a blood moon night, three years ago. I dropped the charm into a frozen lake. Kain dove into the piercing water without a second thought. He searched for three hours, his lips turning purple from the cold. When he finally climbed out, he pressed the charm back into my hand. “What’s yours, Lyra, I would die to protect.” Back then, he only loved me. But now, with a single, casual sentence, he gave it all away. The one thing I cherished was gone. The metallic taste of blood rose in my throat again. I pulled a handkerchief from my sleeve, covering my mouth to stifle a cough. Blood blossomed across the silk. It looked just like the blood I’d shed for him. The day I took a silver-poisoned bolt meant for his heart. “Are you coughing?” Kain asked from outside. “Is it too drafty inside? You were always one of our strongest fighters, Lyra. Don’t start acting fragile just because you’re sick. The Shadow Mountains are a different world. You’ll need to curb that temper of yours. Don’t provoke Draven.” He still mistook my quiet pain for defiance. I folded the blood-stained fabric and hid it away. “Alpha Kain,” my voice was perfectly calm. “It’s getting late. You shouldn’t miss the ceremony.” A sigh of relief escaped him, loud enough for me to hear. “I knew you’d do the sensible thing. Wait for me, Lyra.” The scrape of wolf claws on stone faded into the distance. He went to meet his precious new bride. And I was on my way to the Shadow Mountains.
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.”
I blinked, taken aback. I took the clean linen cloth from his hand and gently wiped my lips. More blood. Draven took a half-step back, giving me a comfortable space. “No one here ever thought to set up proper heat for a Luna. I had the fires in the main den stoked for you. Just hold on.” He didn’t ask why I was here. He didn’t question the bride swap. I lowered my eyes and said softly, “Thank you, Alpha.” The silver poison flared, a thousand icy needles digging into my bones. I clenched my jaw, refusing to make a sound. A habit I learned over three long years. Because Kain once told me he hated hearing women cry out in pain. Three years ago, I blocked that silver poison arrow for him. The poison nearly destroyed my wolf core. A blizzard had sealed the mountains that night. He carried me through the deep snow, desperate to find a healer. My blood stained his back red. Tears streamed down his face as he made a vow. “Lyra, I swear I’ll never let you suffer again.” But then, Sara returned to the clan. She merely twisted her ankle in the garden, letting out a soft whimper. Kain abandoned me while I was writhing in agony and sprinted to her side. He scooped her into his arms. “Sara is so fragile. How could you leave her alone out here?” That was the first time he ever blamed me. After that, I learned to suffer in silence. “Alpha.” A voice came from the door. “The Crescent Clan sent something for the Luna.” Draven glanced at me. “Bring it in.” It was Finn, one of Kain’s most trusted enforcers. He stood with his head bowed, holding out a rough wooden box. “Luna, our Alpha sent this for you. He’s sorry for tonight’s hardships. Alpha went to three markets to find this frostbite salve for you. He knows the Shadow Mountains are harsh. This should help you endure.” I just stared at that wooden box. And I almost laughed.
I recognized that frostbite salve. Kain had bought it for Sara a few days ago. She’d complained about the harsh smell and tossed it on a table. Kain soothingly coaxed her. “My mistake. Tomorrow, I’ll get you the Elven jade cream instead.” And now, Sara’s trash was his “merciful gift” to me. He actually thought I’d be grateful. He thought I’d still swallow any poison for a drop of his sweetness. “Just leave it there.” But Finn didn’t move. His eyes darted toward me. “Our Alpha also wanted to know…” “Know what?” “He asked why you aren’t wearing the moon-laurel crown he sent. He said he designed it himself, and he was sure you would love it.” I closed my eyes, hiding the bitter irony. That crown was loaded with tacky, colored crystals. It wasn’t my style at all. It was what Sara wanted. She’d casually remarked. “Something that flashy would suit your sister.” He took her words as gospel and forced it on me. “Go back and tell your Alpha,” I said, my eyes snapping open. “I threw it away on the road here.” Finn’s head shot up, his face a mask of disbelief. “Threw… threw it away?” “Off a cliff. I enjoyed the sound it made.” Finn scrambled out of the room like he’d seen a ghost. Silence fell once more. Draven was just watching me. “You didn’t actually throw it away.” I stiffened but didn’t deny it. “So why lie to him?” “Because I don’t want to owe him anything. That crown, and everything else he ever gave me… I had it all sent back to the Crescent Clan’s storerooms.” Draven didn’t press further. He tossed a heavy, black wolf-pelt cloak over my shoulders. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, you return to your clan for the homecoming rites.”
The fire burned warmly, and for once, I slept soundly. No rustling in the night as Kain rushed off to soothe Sara’s nightmares. No maids whispering that Sara’s heart was aching again. The silence of the Shadow Mountains felt peaceful. After washing up, I sat at the table, sipping a warm soup. Draven had sent a healing herbal soup, free of the bitter thistle I despise. I slowly picked out the red berries, eating deliberately. Then, I heard faint footsteps outside the door. It was Grey, one of Kain’s personal guards. I set down my spoon and wiped my mouth. Kain had some nerve. Sending his most elite guard into Draven’s nest just to pass a message. “Lady Lyra.” Grey dropped to one knee, his voice low. “My Alpha sent me with a message for you.” “Speak.” He swallowed hard, as if the words were poison on his tongue. “The Alpha says Lady Sara was frightened last night. She can’t stop shivering. The fires in the Crescent Clan aren’t warm enough. She’s been coughing all night. The Alpha asks you…” He paused, unable to meet my eyes. “To strip off the Spirit Wolf Pelt and send it to Sara.” My hand stilled on the soup bowl. The soup rippled. The Spirit Wolf Pelt. The ancient relic I nearly died to win. After being worn for three years, the armor had completely fused with my flesh. Tearing it off now would be like being flayed alive. Kain knew this. He had fastened the pelt on me himself, his eyes red with tears. “Lyra, wear this day and night. I will never let you feel that pain again.” But now, he wants me to rip my own skin off. All to keep his Sara warm. “What else did your Alpha say?” My voice was flat. Grey ducked his head lower. “He said… he said your secret medicines will keep you alive. You just have to endure it. Lady Sara is too delicate. Without the pelt, she might not survive the winter. Once she recovers, he will find a way to make it up to you.” Kain actually thought some herbs could numb the pain of being skinned alive. “Lady,” Grey urged. “The Alpha is waiting for my report. Lady Sara cannot wait any longer.”
I set the bowl down. Then I walked into the shadows of the stone wall. And ripped the armor from my own flesh. Flesh tore free with a wet, sickening sound. Blood instantly soaked my underclothes. The pain made my teeth chatter, but all I saw was his face… Gently placing this pelt on me in the snow. I balled up the dripping armor, fought back the tremors, and stepped out of the shadows—throwing it right at Grey’s feet. “Take it away.” Grey just stared at the blood-soaked mess, completely frozen. He never thought I’d actually do it. He definitely didn’t expect this bloody, mangled ruin. “Tell Kain,” I said, my eyes locked on his. “The Spirit Wolf Pelt is a gift. For Sara.” Grey snatched the pelt and vaulted out the open window. A blast of cold air hit me. My strength finally gave out. My legs buckled, and I crumpled to the ground. I started coughing up mouthfuls of black blood. I collapsed on the floor, coughing so hard I could barely breathe. And my vision blurred at the edges. Before everything went dark, a pair of black boots stopped in front of me. A heavy cloak was thrown over me, wrapping me in its weight. Draven’s strong arms lifted me from the floor. “Do you really care that little whether you live or die?” His voice was shaking, thick with suppressed rage.
I woke three days later. A brazier burned by the bed, its herbal scent filling the room. I moved a finger. The silver poison in me was calmed by a gentle Alpha’s power. “You’re awake?” Draven sat at a nearby desk, holding an ancient scroll of hide. He looked at my pale face, his expression unreadable. “Three years ago, I was on the cliffs. I saw you take that silver arrow for him.” My whole body went rigid. I stared at him, stunned. He let out a bitter laugh. “I watched you nearly die for him, and get a wound that would never heal. I thought he would cherish you. Instead, he threw you away like you were nothing.” He set down the scroll and slowly walked toward me. “From now on, I will protect you.” My gaze fell. A lump formed in my throat, but I couldn’t speak. “Today is the Homecoming Ceremony,” he said, changing the subject. “If you’re unwell, I can send word to the Crescent Clan. You don’t have to go.” I pushed myself up to sit on the edge of the bed. “Thank you, Alpha. I’m fine. I have to go back.” I must. If I don’t, Kain will think I was tortured here, too broken to face anyone. An hour later, I was ready. I was dressed in the formal attire of the Shadow Mountains’ Luna. Black silk wrapped around me, my hair held up by an obsidian pin from Draven. He and I were in the same car, heading for the Crescent Clan’s territory. Our car stopped at the entrance just as Kain’s procession arrived. He was helping Sara down from her car. She was wearing my ceremonial dress. The Spirit Wolf Pelt on her chest shimmered in the sunlight. Kain looked up and saw me. His eyes widened in absolute shock. He expected me to be wasted away, a wreck. Not regal. Not serene. “Lyra,” Sara cooed, her voice dripping with venomou sweetness. “There you are. Kain’s been worried sick.”
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