Chapter 1

"Luna. Let me tell you a secret."

Alpha Kaelen leaned in close, voice barely a whisper.

"The late Alpha didn't just die of illness. I switched out his medicine that night."

He smiled.

"Funny, isn't it? You saved a Rogue's pup, Luna. And I killed your Alpha."

***********

Six months since Kaelen took over the pack. Six months, and my guards, my servants, my food had been cut three times.

The fourth time, the Beta who delivered the message didn't even bother to bow.

He said the Alpha had found me a quiet cabin at the edge of the territory.

"The Alpha thinks it would be good for you to rest there."

I sat all day, sorting through everything my late mate had left me.

The Obsidian Fang. Three Blood Decrees that the late alpha made.

The next day, I attended the Full Moon Council as usual.

From my seat, I watched the pack through the flickering firelight. Kaelen turned his head and glanced at me.

The woman standing beside him wasn't the Luna. It was Chloe—his chosen Mate, the one he'd publicly claimed just last month.

She adjusted his collar, her fingers lingering on the fresh bite marks on her neck. She leaned in and whispered something.

Then Kaelen raised his voice for everyone to hear.

"I don't think our Luna has been feeling well lately. She doesn't need to worry about pack affairs anymore."

A few Betas murmured in agreement.

I didn't move. "So you think it's time for me to go?"

I paused.

"Let me ask you something.The late Alpha left three Blood Decrees. Did you konw?"

Dead silence.

Kaelen's fingers dug into the armrest.

"The first one protects my position as Luna. You've seen that one. But you seem unwilling to comply."

"The second one—do you want to open it now? Or would you rather wait until I'm gone?"

Not a sound.

Every wolf in attendance lowered their heads. Even their breathing seemed to slow.

Kaelen's face drained of color. He stared in my direction, his throat bobbing twice.

His knuckles had gone white from gripping the armrest.

I watched his eyes through the dim light.

That wasn't guilt. That was fear.

"Luna, you can't be serious." His voice dropped low, barely holding steady.

"The Blood Decrees is sacred. You can't just throw it around like this. We can talk about this in private after the council."

He was stalling.

I wasn't going to give him the chance.

My hand slipped into my cloak. My fingers brushed against the Blood Decrees.

In the front row, a few of the late Alpha's old allies lifted their heads.

"Well. Since you're in no rush."

I flicked my wrist.

The Blood Decrees flew from my hand and tumbled down the stone steps.

Every pair of eyes followed it down. No one moved.

Kaelen shot to his feet—but the woman beside him was faster.

Chloe grabbed her skirts and rushed down the steps, bending low to snatch the Blood Decrees.

"Our Luna hasn't been sleeping well. I think the stress is getting to her head. Don't worry, I'll keep this safe—"

I watched her bent figure, and a memory surfaced.

Twelve years ago. Dead of winter.

I had found him half-dead in the snow, a rogue's unwanted pup, and brought him into the pack.

I gave him a home. A name and a future.

And this was what I got in return.

"How dare you."

Four Luna's Guards burst through the entrance, half-shifted, claws out and pressed against Chloe's throat.

She froze. Hand in midair. All the color gone from her face.

Someone gasped.

Chloe's legs shook. She looked desperately at Kaelen, lips trembling, but nothing came out.

Kaelen's eyes went wide. He pulled Chloe behind him, voice rising.

"She was just trying to help! What the hell are you doing? You want to tear this pack apart over nothing?"

His hand clamped down on Chloe's shoulder. Veins popped along the back of his hand.

The Betas who had backed him up moments ago were now staring at their feet. Silent.

I didn't acknowledge him.

"Head Elder."

In the front row, the white-haired elder's knees gave out. He sank to the ground.

"I... I'm here."

"Pick it up. Read it out loud."

The old man crawled to the bottom of the steps. His hands trembled as he lifted the Blood Decrees.

His fingers shook so hard that flakes of dried scattered across the stone.

Kaelen opened his mouth, ready to stop him—but dozens of eyes snapped toward him at once.

The words died in his throat.

His eyes scanned the text. Left to right. His face changed.

He looked up at me. Then back at Kaelen.

His lips moved, but no sound came out.

"Read it." I said.