Chapter 3

"I feel sorry for that poor human girl who was supposed to be bonded with the Alpha Prince. She's probably been executed secretly," the nun said, shaking her head.

I took a sip of the hot soup, swallowing the bitterness in my throat.

"Maybe," I replied calmly.

Just then, the shelter's door was kicked open with a loud bang.

Several Wolf Guards clad in the Wolf Court's signature silver armor strode in, their sheer presence making every human inside the shelter shrink back in fear.

At the front was Arthur's personal Wolf Guard, Carl Fenwick.

He swept his gaze around the room, and finally, his eyes locked onto me, huddled in the corner in my coarse, threadbare clothes.

Carl's eyes flashed with open contempt as he strode over and looked down at me like I was nothing.

He announced loudly, making sure everyone in the shelter heard him, "Miss Celeste, Prince Arthur sent me to tell you that your three days of reflection are over.

"Prince Arthur is merciful. He won't punish you for running away from the Wolf Court. But as punishment, you'll have to sign this new contract."

He pulled out a cold parchment contract and tossed it onto the wooden table in front of me.

I kept my hands off the parchment contract, shooting Carl a cold glare.

"What kind of contract?" I asked.

Carl sneered and announced loudly, "Miss Lily Blackmane got spooked during her bloodline cleansing ritual, and now her inner wolf is restless.

"By order of the Alpha Prince, starting today, you must hand over three drops of your Heartblood every month, right on schedule, to soothe Miss Blackmane's inner wolf.

"In return, the Alpha Prince will let you keep the Symbiotic Pact and grant you the privilege of a room in the Wolf Court's outer courtyard."

The shelter was filled with gasps of shock.

Heartblood meant life itself for a healer.

Arthur wasn't simply stripping me of my place as his mate. He was turning me into Lily's Blood Servant.

He really thought that tossing me a room in the outer courtyard was enough to make me grovel in gratitude.

"And what if I refuse to sign?" I asked, my voice steady and unwavering as I met Carl's gaze.

Carl looked at me like I'd told the funniest joke he'd ever heard. "Cecilia, do you realize what kind of situation you're in?"

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "You're nothing but a worthless nobody without an inner wolf. Being attached to Prince Arthur is a privilege you don't deserve.

"Miss Blackmane is the Wolf Court's most precious treasure now. It's only natural Prince Arthur favors her.

"You really think running off to Silvermoon and playing the victim will make Prince Arthur feel sorry for you?

"Prince Arthur said it himself that if you don't sign, he'll come and teach you a lesson about werewolf rules."

Staring at Carl's arrogant face, I suddenly found it laughable.

I stood up and grabbed the parchment contract from the table.

With Carl watching, his eyes full of smugness, I walked over to the fireplace and tossed the parchment contract right into the flames.

The fire swallowed it up instantly, filling the room with an acrid smell.

Carl was instantly livid. "You got a death wish?"

He yanked his sword from his belt, the tip aimed right at my throat.

"Go back and tell Arthur," I said clearly, ignoring the blade pressed to my neck. "I, Cecilia Celeste, would never give a single drop to him or that half-breed mutt."

Carl's sword stopped half an inch from my throat.

It wasn't because he suddenly grew a conscience. Silvermoon's Sanctuary Guard had burst in.

A dozen heavy swords, glowing with holy magic, were drawn at once, surrounding Carl and his Wolf Guards.

"This is neutral territory for humans. If the werewolves want to start trouble here, they'll have to answer to the Sanctuary's rules first," the leading Paladin warned coldly.

Carl gritted his teeth, clearly unwilling, but finally sheathed his sword.

"Don't think you can hide out in Silvermoon and everything will be fine, Cecilia. That Symbiotic Pact is still binding you. If Prince Arthur wants something from you, you can't run from him," he snarled.

After spitting out the threat, he stalked off with his Wolf Guards, tails between their legs.

I collapsed into the chair, cold sweat soaking through my shirt and clinging to my back.

The Paladin looked at me with a complicated expression.

"Miss Celeste, the Sanctuary can only protect you for a while. If the Wolf Court really puts on the pressure, even Silvermoon might not be able to shelter someone bound by a Symbiotic Pact," he said.

I knew he was right.

The Symbiotic Pact was a brand I willingly accepted at the Moon Goddess's altar two years ago, all for Arthur's sake.

As long as the pact remained, Arthur could sense my location anytime he wanted and even forcefully siphon my life energy through it, whenever he pleased.

I had to find a way to break it.