Chapter 2

My fingertips gripped the crumpled little piece of hide in my pocket until my knuckles turned white.

Today was the Black Pack banquet, and the day we'd agreed to officially announce our four-way union.

I'd specifically worn the wolf tail necklace Kael had given me on his coming-of-age ceremony, waiting for Kael to announce to all the pack members that I was his Luna, the love of his life.

His fingers held the envelope containing the invitation to the Far North couples hunt. Under everyone's gaze, he handed it to his student, Lila.

There was a tenderness in his eyes I hadn't seen in a long time, his voice soft like he was coaxing a child: "It's yours."

Lila's eyes instantly lit up as she accepted the envelope with surprise and delight.

"Thank you, Alpha Kael, for always thinking of me! I don't even know how to repay you."

She paused, her eyes flickering toward me with a challenging look, then softened her voice tentatively:

"Why don't you come with me? I can warm your hands while we hunt, okay?"

Every gaze in the room fell on me in unison.

Everyone knew I was Kael's mate. Everyone knew this Far North hunting slot was meant for our wedding.

Rhea jumped to her feet, ready to charge forward, but I grabbed her wrist tightly and forced out a deliberately casual smile.

"Kael won't agree to it."

I gripped that crumpled little note in my pocket tightly.

Going to the Far North for our wedding was a promise the four of us had kept for twenty years.

There was no way he'd agree.

The moment the words left my mouth, I heard Kael's voice, tinged with amusement: "Alright, I agree."

"Thank you, Alpha Kael!" Lila performed an exaggerated curtsy.

As she turned, she lifted her chin at me triumphantly, drawing laughter from those around us.

"Has he lost his mind?!" Rhea was trembling with anger. "Lila is deliberately provoking you right to your face! Can't he see that?"

"We made a vow as kids! To hold our weddings together after the Far North hunt! Has he really forgotten or is he pretending?"

The more she spoke, the angrier she got, tears nearly spilling from her eyes.

I placed my hand over hers and patted it gently. "Sit properly. Don't get worked up. Everyone's watching."

Kael sat back down beside me, apparently noticing the expressions on mine and Rhea's faces.

He took my hand, his thumb rubbing against my knuckles, his tone dismissive like he was placating a troublesome child:

"The Far North hunting grounds are crowded and chaotic. Nothing fun about it. How about at the end of the year I take you to a private ice field hunting ground, just the two of us, okay?"

I gently pulled my hand back. "No need. You do what you need to do."

He froze for a moment, probably not expecting this reaction from me. Then he smiled, withdrew his hand, and said nothing more, turning to chat with the Elder beside him about Lila's thesis defense.

On my left, Rhea pulled out her phone stubbornly and quickly typed out a message, shoving the bright screen toward me:

"Rain's giving a speech soon. I'll have him force Kael to announce the wedding date on the spot. If he dares refuse, I'll beat him up."

I smiled at her gratefully, though I knew in my heart it was useless.

Rhea, Rain, Kael, and I were the heirs to North America's four top wolf packs.

We'd grown up together, the default future ruling combination in the entire werewolf circle.

The council uniting the four great packs was something the four of us had worked countless days and nights to build, fighting with everything we had to survive the most dangerous rogue invasion period, building it step by step.

The four of us were supposed to be the closest family.

Before long, Alpha Rain of the Rain Pack was invited onstage as Council Chairman.

He took the microphone, scanned the audience below, his gaze landing on Rhea.

"Next month! I'm holding a union ceremony in the Far North! To marry my beloved mate Rhea!"

The crowd below erupted in cheers, wolf howls and whistles filling the air.

Rain's voice suddenly softened, his eyes filled with undisguised love:

"I hope to spend my life with my mate and make her the happiest Luna."

Rhea's eyes reddened, but she still cursed with a smile: "You're ridiculous."

Rain's tone shifted as he looked toward Kael.

"Kael! The four of us promised a Far North wedding together! Now Rhea and I are getting married. What about you?"