Chapter 2

The entire hall went silent with shock.

Nayi stepped down from the throne and reached into my collar.

She pulled out the ice-blue crystal.

The temperature in the tent plunged.

Even the flames in the braziers dipped lower.

"Perfect, Isolde.

It is sacred and beautiful.

I have always wanted this..."

"Stop!"

Slap!

I knocked her hand away hard.

"This is no trophy or toy.

It is the anchor of a thousand years of wolf order.

You're from some backwater Black-Stripe Jackal offshoot.

What gives you the right to touch it?"

Nayi clutched her hand and stumbled back, feigning injury.

She threw herself into Bloodfang's arms, crying and complaining.

"My King, Isolde clearly agreed just now.

Why is she taking it back?"

Bloodfang had been lounging against his throne, toying with the wolf-tooth pendant at his waist.

He slammed a heavy palm on the armrest.

His golden pupils shrank to thin vertical slits.

The most dangerous signal before a wolf's rage.

Terrified elders dropped to their knees throughout the hall.

"My word stands, Isolde. Do you want every beast clan to think the Alpha's word is worthless?"

"I would not dare," I said coldly.

"But beast-kin wagers are known for fairness.

The stakes must be equal."

I lifted the sacred crown from my head.

My white hair spilled down like a waterfall.

Nine pure white wolf-tooth pendants swayed, clinking softly.

"I stake this crown and the Heart of Everwinter.

I wager my Luna title and our lineage's dignity.

Nayi, what do you have to wager?

The slave identity you crawled out of a hyena den with?"

In Bloodfang's arms, Nayi's pupils flared and her ears shot up.

She glared at me with hatred.

I went on, unbothered.

"You were a slave picking arrows on the wasteland.

You only wear silk and brocade because you crawled into the King's tent.

Do you really think you have the right to bet against me?"

"Enough!"

Bloodfang slammed the throne suddenly.

His fangs showed.

A low growl rumbled from deep in his throat.

Nayi seized the moment and threw herself into his arms.

Her tears fell like beads from a broken string.

"My King... I am from a minor branch.

I have nothing but you.

She is right.

I am unworthy to bet against her."

She put on a tearful, helpless look and started to rise.

Bloodfang yanked her back into his arms, knuckles cracking.

He stared at the crown in my hand, then looked down at his bawling mistress.

Then he laughed.

"Who says she has nothing?"

Bloodfang slowly pushed Nayi aside and sat up straight.

He raised his right hand and slid the heavy ring off his thumb.

Cast from black iron, set with a blood-red wolf-eye gem.

The totem of the Great Ancestor Wolf was engraved on the band.

"I, the Alpha King, will cover her stake."