Chapter 1

I used to think Blake Ashford and my two other childhood friends would always be my strongest shield. That was until Lucy Whitmore, the frail childhood sweetheart, showed up. Suddenly, all their attention and favor were hers.

To suppress the Wolfsbane poison in Lucy's body, they didn't hesitate to drain my wolf blood. Blake even took the Luna Moonstone from me in front of the entire Pack.

"Lucy has no way to protect herself. You can survive without these things," he said, looking coldly at my pale face. "And if you dare to snitch to the Elders, I'll formally reject you and banish you from the Shadow Pack."

Hearing their soft whispers of affection for Lucy through the Mindlink, I wiped the blood from my lips. "I, Vivian Hale, accept your rejection," I said calmly, severing our last psychic connection.

Blake thought I was just throwing a tantrum. He thought I wouldn't last a day without them.

But he didn't know that last night, I had already agreed to my father's ancient contract.

A black car bearing the Royal Lycan Crest pulled up to the Pack's border. The most feared enemy Alpha was reaching out his hand to me.

*****

"Vivian, step into the Moonlight Ritual Circle," Blake ordered.

His command hit me, and my white wolf let out a low whimper deep in my bones.

Lucy leaned against the treatment table, pressing a hand to her forehead, even her breathing deliberately soft. "Blake, don't push her. It's understandable if Vivian doesn't want to. The Blessing of the White Wolf is so precious. A weak wolf like me doesn't deserve it."

Julian Carter immediately blocked the door, his Beta seal clenched in his hand. "Lucy, you're always defending her. Vivian, are you hearing this? She's in pain and still thinking about you."

Adrian Blackwood held back the restless wolves outside the door, his voice harder than a silver training whip. "Don't stall. Wolfsbane eats away at the soul. Lucy's weakness is more important than your jealousy."

I steadied myself against the treatment room's stone table. "I want to see the complete medical records. Not Lucy's story, not your judgment. A record signed by a Healer."

Lucy's eyes instantly reddened. "You think I'm faking it? Vivian, all those times I was in so much pain I couldn't shift, was that fake too?"

Blake stepped closer, his Alpha aura pressing my unhealed wolf soul deep down. "Do you need her to cut herself open for you?"

I met his eyes. "I just want the records."

Julian's voice was cold. "I have the records. Lucy's privacy is none of your business."

"But you're taking my blessing to give to her," I said.

"You're strong enough," Blake said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me to the edge of the circle. "Lucy has no way to protect herself. You can survive without these things."

I'd heard those words too many times. My blood, my herbs, my training slot, even my mate's patience, all of it could be given to her.

Lucy suddenly coughed, her fingers clutching Blake's sleeve. "Forget it. I'd rather be in pain than have Vivian hate me. She never liked me. I can't make her more upset."

Adrian lowered his voice, "Lucy, stop making excuses for her. If she had even a shred of Luna's grace, she wouldn't be bargaining right now."

I looked at Blake. "What if I refuse?"

Blake's black wolf surfaced in his eyes. "Then I'll use my Alpha command to have the Silvermoon Refugees re-evaluated. You know they live under the Shadow Pack's barrier. It's not a birthright."

A cold feeling settled in my chest. It wasn't pain. It was finally understanding. He didn't just want my blessing. He wanted me to bow, to admit that Lucy's life always came first.

I lowered my hand, my fingers brushing against the wolf-head pendant my father left me. The Moonshadow Crystal inside it hummed with a silent warmth. "Fine," I said.

Blake's expression softened. "Good. Then Lucy doesn't have to suffer."

Lucy spoke softly, "Vivian, thank you. I'll make sure to give Blake back to you one day."

The words were light, but spoken loud enough for Julian and Adrian at the door to hear.

Julian immediately frowned. "Lucy, you don't have to apologize. The one who should be sorry isn't you."

I stepped into the Moonlight Ritual Circle.

As the silver lines crawled up my ankles, my white wolf clawed at the closed door in my mind.

I held back the urge to fight, pressing the pendant into my palm.

Blake raised his hand, his Alpha command hitting the circle. "Vivian, release the Blessing of the White Wolf. Transfer it to Lucy."

Pain climbed my spine as my wolf soul was forced open. I heard Lucy's breathing steady. Julian sighed in relief. Adrian warned the others outside not to come near. No one asked if I was in pain.

Lucy sat up, color returning to her cheeks. But she fell weakly into Blake's arms. "Blake, am I being selfish? Vivian looks so pale."

Blake held her, not even glancing back at me. "Don't look at her. She'll recover."

I knelt in the center of the circle, blood filling my throat as my white wolf's presence faded. I forced my head up. "Can I see the records now?"

Julian bent to collect the ritual stone. "Still hung up on that? Vivian, you really have no heart."

Adrian glanced back from the doorway. "Lucy just survived a Wolfsbane attack, and you have to humiliate her today?"

Lucy interrupted softly, "Don't blame her. She just cares about Blake too much."

Blake finally looked at me. "The ritual is over. Go to your room and reflect. You're not to come near Lucy tonight."

The Mindlink suddenly flooded with their private whispers.

Lucy's voice was tearful. "I'm scared everyone at the Moon Festival will think I stole Vivian's place."

Blake's voice was unfamiliar in its gentleness. "They won't. After the ritual, we'll let you keep the Luna Moonstone."

Julian agreed. "I'll arrange it."

Adrian echoed, "Lucy deserves to be protected."

I pressed my hand against the floor, the Moonshadow Crystal making its final recording.

Within the crystal, alongside the Wolfsbane, I caught a faint scent of bitter almonds, stronger than Lucy's usual medicine.

As my vision faded, I heard Blake order the Healer, "Don't let her wander. I don't want her ruining Lucy's mood at the Moon Festival."

Lucy pressed into his chest, murmuring, "Vivian, don't blame Blake. He's just scared of losing me."