Chapter 2

He stepped in close, voice cutting. “You sure you want to talk to me like that? The bond is gone. You’re no longer the Luna candidate. With a bloodline like yours, your life isn’t worth much.”

His Alpha aura pressed the air out of my lungs, but I still bared my teeth. “Then cast me out of the Sliver Moon Pack.”

He reached for me. I jerked back out of his grip.

He laughed—sharp, joyless. “Deal. If you dare, announce it in public. Let the whole pack see how heartless you are.”

“I will,” I said, flat and cold, and turned on my heel.

That night, I was about to declare my withdrawal at the council when a warrior burst in, face ashen, holding up a little black vial. “We found a prohibited substance—Rogue Dust—in Miss Aria’s cloak!”

I froze. The room erupted.

“Why would she have that?”

“Rogue Dust? What is it?”

“Poison, which can undermine bloodlines. It’s been used to target Alpha heirs.”

My voice shook. “It isn’t mine.”

My knees felt watery. Thirty years ago, the Black Paw Pack used Rogue Dust to ruin the heirs of several packs and left a swath of tragedy. Only then were they driven from the North.

That was a disaster that was almost brought about through the shedding of countless blood and which could only be alleviated through great efforts.

Lyra’s eyes shimmered. She looked heartbreakingly delicate. “Aria, why would you hurt Damian—just because he loves me now?”

One word, and I was condemned.

A man leapt to his feet, spitting fury. “So quitting Sliver Moon was a cover. She wanted to murder the Alpha heir!”

All at once, every accusing gaze swung to me. I scanned the room and found Lyra. “This is slander. That cloak went missing long ago.”

Damian stepped in front of her, looking down at me. His voice was low and final. “You think anyone will believe you? Rogue Dust in your cloak is a fact. When the elders examine it, let’s see how you wriggle out.”

My chest hollowed out. So, this is the difference between love and its absence.

I met his eyes. “Fine. Let the elders judge.”

The murmurs, Lyra’s soft sobs—it all scraped my nerves raw. I only felt tired.