Chapter 2

That was Buddy. My dog for ten years. The only creature in this cold mansion who had ever shown me warmth, the only one who never cared that I carried Beta blood.

Its eyes were still open, fear and confusion frozen in its gaze. He had died not understanding why those he trusted would turn on him.

My hands began to tremble.

Jackson's voice came from behind me. There was no guilt in it. Only the impatient tone of someone making excuses. "Look, Harper, Avery said she didn't know it was your dog. It was old anyway."

He paused, watching my rigid back, and his voice grew bolder. "It was only a dog. Dad will buy you a new one, a better one. Don't upset Avery, okay? She's been crying all morning. She said her Rottweiler was only playing."

My fingers dug into my palms until my nails broke skin.

In that instant, the wolf inside me let out one final cry, then fell into complete silence. That was the first sign that a bond had been severed.

I stared at the blood on the bed, at Buddy's unblinking eyes, and said nothing for a long time.

Ten years ago, I had traveled from the distant borderlands to the wealthy East Coast pack territories, my heart set on the freedom of the Montana wilds.

But within the massive Blackwood pack, the hierarchy was as unforgiving as a prison, with no room for an untamed spirit.

They severed my spiritual bond with the shepherd dogs of my homeland, calling a mutt like that unworthy of the Blackwood Manor.

Then they thrust a pet store Golden Retriever puppy on me, along with a wailing Alpha infant.

It took me ten years to raise them. I lost them both in an instant.

I let out a sigh, then caught the sharp scent of cedar, thick with suffocating pressure. That was Dominic's signature, the unmistakable musk of a top predator. Oppressive and cold, like a forest trapped in endless winter.

I looked up. Dominic stood in the doorway, silent and motionless.

Dominic and Jackson might have been cast from the same mold. Both tall and powerfully built, radiating the kind of dominance that triggered an instinct to submit.

Dominic undid his cufflinks, waiting for me to step forward and undress him as I had done for ten years, performing my duty.

He spoke without looking at me. "I heard about tonight. Harper, you overstepped. You should not have tried to play the part of Luna. It was blasphemy."

When I did not move, his brows drew together, his golden eyes narrowing. A warning. The first cold thrill of Alpha command before it descended.

His gaze swept over the bloodstain on the bed. He frowned, as if looking at something that should not exist. "It has ruined the sheets."

He paused, his tone growing impatient. "Have the Omegas change all of this. Avery's Rottweiler was playing. They did not know it was your pet. Hunting dogs chase prey by instinct. You cannot blame them.

"Jackson's wolf is in its awakening phase. He is learning to face life and death. As his caretaker, you should set an example. Do not make a scene over a pet."

I glared at him, refusing to back down. "This was not play, Dominic. Look at those wounds."

"Enough." Dominic cut me off, his voice carrying a warning. "I do not wish to hear you complain about trivial matters tonight. There are important matters to discuss."

At a single glance from Dominic, the pack's lowest-ranking cleaners entered to clear the scene.

They grabbed Buddy's body roughly and shoved it into a black trash bag like garbage.

"Be careful." I lunged forward, trying desperately to snatch Buddy back.

One of the Omegas sneered, pushing me aside. "It's just a dead dog, breeder. Don't make such a fuss."

Firelight from the hearth flickered, casting shifting shadows across the room.

Buddy, who had once circled me with wagging tail and bright eyes, was thrown into the trash.

The same fate awaited me. Ten years of devoted care, yet I had not left a single mark on the hearts of that cold-blooded father and son.