Chapter 1

For three years, I was Alpha Kyle's perfect mate—obedient, loyal, completely his.

But his human childhood friend, Clara, scratched her own arm and blamed me. Kyle believed her without question. He dragged me straight to the "Blood Hunt."

It was the cruelest game among wolves. A savage, ancient ritual most packs abandoned long ago.

When an Alpha lost, the winner got to strip a piece of his mate's clothing. A public display of his failure to protect her.

In less than thirty minutes, Kyle lost three rounds.

They tore off my leather jacket, my flannel shirt, and my thermal top. I stood in the cold, half-naked under the hungry eyes of the pack.

During the break, Kyle joked with his most trusted Beta.

"I'll throw the next round too. Don't be shy. Strip her bare."

"She hurt Clara. I'll make sure she learns what that costs."

His Beta licked his lips. "Great. I've wanted to see that body in the moonlight for a long time."

Kyle gave a cold laugh. "Let's make a wager. Whoever wins gets to claim her—and keep her in his den tonight."

The whole pack went wild, every man eager for a turn. I looked at the Alpha I'd once worshiped. And in that moment, something in me went dead.

……

Kyle's words shattered the last of my hope.

I walked back to the hunting grounds, numb.

Clara blocked my path, a cold sneer on her face.

"Shameless. Trying to throw yourself at Kyle? You're nothing but a lowborn stray. What gave you the nerve?"

"Face it, he only loves me. We grew up together. You're a toy he'll throw away."

"A Luna? No! A slut, stripped and marked for the entire pack to see."

She kept closing in, malice all over her face.

I clenched my fists. My voice stayed calm.

"Enough. I'm hunting."