Chapter 2

My phone lit up. A message from my brother.

"Val, the Royal Guard is moving. East border. Three days. Dawn."

"What Julian owes you… I'll make him repay it. A hundred times over."

I stared at the words, my eyes suddenly hot.

I traced the word "brother" on the screen. Just as I was about to reply, the door was thrown open.

Julian stormed in, snatched the phone from my hand, and threw it on the rug.

I looked up.

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

His eyes were a storm of warring emotions—scrutiny, suspicion, and a flicker of something I couldn't name. Anxiety.

"Valerie." His thumb dug into my jaw. "What was that tonight?"

"What was what?" I asked.

"You gave her the necklace. You gave her the bracelet." His eyes darkened. "You're not going to fight?"

I stared at him.

"Isn't this what you wanted?" My voice was flat, empty. "A graceful, obedient former Luna."

Julian's pupils contracted.

He stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly let go, pulling me into his arms.

The scent of pine and forest surrounded me. A smell I once thought I could breathe in forever.

But now, it was tainted by the cloying, sickly sweet perfume of Vanessa.

The mix made my stomach turn.

Julian lowered his head, his lips brushing my ear.

"Valerie, I know you were wronged today. But her wolf was nearly shattered saving me. I owe her this. As long as you behave, there will always be a room for you in the Pack House."

It was a promise. An insult disguised as charity.

He thought I should be grateful.

A frantic knock came at the door.

Vanessa's weak voice drifted through the wood.

"Julian, my wolf feels sick… Where are you… Can you come be with me?"

Julian's body went rigid.

He let me go. Without hesitation. Without another word.

He walked to the door, then paused.

"Oh," he said, his back still to me. "That moon-silk gown in your closet. I want Vanessa to wear it to the alliance banquet tomorrow."

My breath caught.

The moon-silk gown. My precious from our mating ceremony five years ago.

He had spent a fortune on the world's last remaining moon-silk. Every stitch was infused with moonlight and the blood of our vows.

It was his promise that I would be his one and only mate for life.

Last year, I banished a new Omega from the territory just for getting a smudge on that dress. Julian had praised me then, saying what was mine, no one else could touch.

Now, he was telling me to give it to Vanessa.

My nails dug into my palms, reopening the cuts from the broken glass. Blood welled up again.

I looked at his expectant face and slowly nodded.

"Fine. I'll have it sent over tomorrow."

Julian's shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

Then he opened the door and hurried to a crying Vanessa.

I heard his soft voice comforting her down the hall, followed by the click of the room next door closing.

I walked to my desk, pulled out a calendar, and picked up a red marker.

I drew a heavy X over today's date.

Two days until my brother comes for me.

I slipped out of the wine-stained dress and stepped into the bathroom.

Hot water streamed over my body.

I stared at my pale face in the mirror.

Below my right breast, a vicious old scar crossed my ribs.

Five years ago, a rival Alpha swiped for Julian's heart. I jumped in front of him. The pack healer said another inch and I would have been dead.

Behind my left shoulder blade, there's a dark spot that will never fade.

Two years ago, during the moonstone mine border dispute, a silver wolfsbane bullet went through me. It won him a mine worth millions a year.

...

There were other scars. Too many.

Seven years ago, he found me injured, with no memory, and took me in. I repaid him with seven years of loyalty and love.

Julian. My debts to you are paid. We are even.