Chapter 1

My mate’s childhood friend’s pet wolf, Milo, shredded the journal my mother left me before she passed away. In a burst of anger, I gave Milo a gentle swat on his backside. The next day, I was horrified to find that rogue werewolves had carved deeply humiliating words into my skin with their claws. When the pack healer arrived, I lay exposed on the snowy ground, my body trembling with both cold and shame.

Ryland Palmer, my mate and the Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack, held me close, his strong arms wrapping around me as he tended to my wounds with care. His dominant aura, usually a source of comfort, now felt suffocating. While I was recovering in the pack’s infirmary, a mysterious package arrived for me, containing a recording device.

"Alpha Ryland, you’re quite something," a voice sneered on the recording. "Just to amuse your childhood friend, you let your mate become a target for rogues. We’ve known each other for over a decade; wouldn’t it make more sense to involve me?"

"Get lost," Ryland’s voice snapped back. "You think she wouldn’t recognize your voice?"

"But I have a video of her being branded. Imagine showing that to everyone—wouldn’t it be a spectacle?"

"A ruined journal, and now her pet wolf can’t move. If we don’t teach her a proper lesson, she’ll keep getting her way."

The voices were unmistakably Ryland’s and one of his enforcers. My chest tightened, and I felt my wolf whimper in the back of my mind, her pain echoing my own. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I forced the tears back.

I quickly turned off the recording and hid it under the blanket just as the infirmary door opened.

"Are you still in pain?" Ryland asked as he entered, his deep voice filling the room. His towering frame, muscular and commanding, loomed over me. "Lilly went to the neighboring pack territory just to find a special salve for your scars—it’s supposed to be very effective. Let me apply it for you."

As he reached to pull down the blanket, I stopped his hand. With great effort, I whispered, "No, I don’t want to be touched right now."

"Come on, it’ll be over soon," he insisted, his voice firm, using his Alpha tone to assert dominance. He pried the blanket away, his smirk so cruel it made my stomach churn. It was as if he were proud of a trophy he’d won.

I bit my lip hard, tears of humiliation welling up in my eyes. I clenched my fists, forcing the tears back.

Just two mornings ago, Ryland had come in holding Milo, with Lilly trailing behind him. I was puzzled to see them together when Lilly spoke softly, her voice dripping with innocence, "My allergies are really acting up. Could you keep Milo for me, Penelope?"

Before I could reply, Ryland placed Milo in my arms, saying, "Haven’t you always wanted a pet wolf? Here he is!"

I was upset, but I didn’t want pack politics to affect an innocent creature, so I went to the pack’s supply store for necessities. When I returned, I found Milo tearing up the journal my mother had left me. Seeing the tattered pages felt like my heart was being ripped apart. In a moment of weakness, I tapped Milo’s backside.

When Lilly saw me do it, she immediately scooped Milo up, tears streaming down her face, "I know you don’t like me or my wolf. I’ll leave now."

My journal had been locked in the bottom drawer of my nightstand. No mere pet wolf could have gotten to it. Inspecting the cabinet, I saw signs of forced entry on three locks. I demanded an explanation from Lilly.

Sniffling, Lilly turned to Ryland, "Didn’t you say that everything here was mine too?"

Ryland sharply reprimanded Lilly, demanding she apologize, but then assured me he’d find an expert to restore the journal.

I thought that was the end of it. Little did I know that because of this incident, he handed me over to those rogues and let the video of their assault spread repeatedly.

"All done. Just leave it uncovered for a bit," Ryland instructed, his voice calm but authoritative.

I threw the blanket over myself anyway, but within minutes, an unbearable itch spread over my wounds. As I scratched helplessly, Ryland claimed it was the salve working and told me to endure it.

"I’m off to get some food; stay here and rest," he said, turning to leave.

Watching him go, I dialed Lucas, my brother, and broke down in tears. Lucas was a Delta warrior in our old pack, and due to the nature of his work, we rarely had contact. But surprisingly, he answered on the first ring.

He had already heard about my ordeal and was about to call to check on me. "Penelope, you shouldn’t stay there. Leave Ryland behind and come find me. If you’re willing to return to the pack, the Alpha will arrange for your extraction."

I once served as a Gamma warrior in our old pack, but Ryland didn’t want the danger and distance between us, so I gave it all up to be by his side. But all my sacrifices were repaid with betrayal.

It seems I really should leave.

"Lucas, I agree."