Chapter 1

• Ruth's Point Of View
• I closed the door, shutting out the loud music.
• The Frostscarred pack had been chosen to host this year's annual Alpha meeting. Everyone in the pack was excited, especially my brother, Silas Riverwood, the Alpha of Frostscarred.
• Silas had promised to make this Alpha meeting one to remember, but he completely forgot that today marked the anniversary of our parents' deaths.
• On this chaotic night, my bedroom was the only quiet place left.
• "Ruth, what are you doing? Why aren't you ready yet?" Omega maid Eleanor pushed open the door, looking surprised.
• "Just what it looks like. I’m taking off my makeup." I wiped away my eyeshadow with a makeup remover pad, my reflection in the mirror cold and expressionless.
• "Why are you removing your makeup? You should be getting dressed. The Blue Moon Ball after the Alpha meeting is important for you. Sweetheart, you're of age now. Maybe you’ll meet your mate tonight.” Eleanor came up behind me and draped a gown over the back of my chair.
• "No, Eleanor. I don't want to go to the ball. I don't want to see anyone." I turned to look at Eleanor from my seat at the vanity.
• Eleanor looked at me and sighed. "Silas will be really upset when he finds out.”
• I understood her concern, but I didn't care. I just wanted to go to the cemetery and pay my respects to my parents.
• Skipping the Blue Moon Ball was probably my final quiet protest to Silas. Ever since our parents passed away, Silas and I had leaned on each other to survive the hardest years.
• But everything changed after he married Moira Moore from the Frostscarred pack. Last month, I only saw him three times at the Packhouse, and I hadn’t even gotten the chance to ask why he chose to host the meeting on this exact date.
• I had hoped he would give me a reasonable explanation. But now, I was completely disappointed, and I didn't want to wait any longer. Even if I had to go alone, I had to visit the cemetery.
• “Maybe you can go after the ball? You shouldn’t waste this chance," Eleanor said softly, still trying to persuade me. But I didn’t care.
• With my stubbornness, Eleanor sighed and said nothing more.
• Eleanor had been a rogue, adopted by our parents. She was only three years older than I. After our parents passed, she had taken care of me like a sister. Honestly, she felt more like family than Silas did.
• I tried to comfort Eleanor as much as possible, saying, “Don’t worry, Eleanor. I won’t let Silas blame you.”
• Visiting the cemetery had to be done in secret, and I had learned how to sneak past the guards easily. Ever since my wolf, Lunette, awakened, annoying guards hadn't caught me.
• With a bang, the door of the room suddenly burst open. No one had entered yet, but I could already smell that disgusting, sweet scent.
• Sure enough, Luna Moira walked in.
• She had a contemptuous smile on her lips, looking down at me with her chin up, followed by her Omega servants.
• "Ruth, why are you wasting time? The banquet is about to begin," Luna Moira said as she approached.
• Honestly, Luna Moira was very beautiful. She had a mane of curly golden hair, sapphire blue eyes, and a seductive beauty mark at the corner of her eye. Tonight, she wore a silver evening gown that showed off her figure with every step.
• Still, I had never liked her. But she was my brother's mate and Luna of the Frostscarred pack. As a member of the pack, I was expected to show respect.
• I frowned and lied, "I won't be late."
• "Good. Today, Silas is planning to introduce you to the Alpha of the Irontusk pack tonight. I think your marriage will bring some surprising changes to both packs," she said, clearly satisfied with herself.
• My eyes widened in disbelief.
• The Alpha of the Irontusk pack was already in his forties. He already had a Luna, but he also marked many other she-wolves as his mistresses. How could my brother offer me to a man like that?
• Luna Moira leaned down and lifted my chin with one finger, whispering, “Get dressed up nicely, my little beauty. I'm sure the Alpha of the Irontusk pack will be impressed with your beauty."
• I slapped her hand away, fury rushing through me.
• Anger consumed my mind, and I shouted at Luna Moira, "I refuse! I don't believe Silas would do this."
• Luna Moira's eyes darkened suddenly, and she sneered, "It's not up to you anymore."
• Two Delta female warriors at her side grabbed my arms and started tearing at my clothes.
• I struggled hard, kicking over a nearby chair. The irises my parents had left behind were scattered across the floor.
• "Tear them apart, Lunette. Moira has a disgusting smell. She has betrayed the Moon Goddess!" my wolf, Lunette, growled in my mind.
• I didn't understand what Lunette meant, but Moira had always smelled awful to me. I had hated her scent from the first day I met her.
• I shouted, "Who dares to lay filthy hands on me! I am Alpha's sister!"
• The two Deltas hesitated, then let go of my arm.
• "Calm down, Ruth, don't be like this," Eleanor whispered, holding me tightly, shaking her head in panic.
• My eyes started to turn red with anger, but I knew I couldn’t lose control. There were many pack leaders outside. If I caused a scene, it would only bring shame to the Frostscarred pack.
• Luna Moira seemed to sense my hesitation. She looked at me mockingly, her gaze falling on the iris on the ground as she slowly walked away.
• "Stop, what are you going to do?" I exclaimed.