Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself shut inside a crude prison cart, being taken to White Wolf Gorge, the border between the Frostmoon pack and the Northern pack.

The wounds on my legs had been given a simple dressing, but the bumps of the road had torn them open again.

Blood soaked through the bandages and stuck them to my trouser legs. Every jolt brought a pain that drilled into my bones.

The one escorting me was Edgar's Beta.

He kept his head lowered the entire way, not daring to look at me. Only when I was so thirsty I nearly passed out would he pass a waterskin through the bars of the cart, his eyes always carrying respect and shame.

I took the waterskin and drank in silence.

The hatred I felt toward my three brothers nearly burned me to ash.

Seven days later, the prison cart stopped beneath White Wolf Gorge.

The exchange site had been chosen in the open space before the two packs.

Two men dragged me roughly out of the cart and threw me hard into the snow.

The cold rushed into my wounds at once. The pain made the veins stand out on my forehead, yet I did not make a sound.

I raised my head and saw the person who had brought me to this point.

Sabrina.

She wore a clean, soft white dress and a thick cloak over it, standing behind my three brothers as they guarded her.

Her face was somewhat pale, but she was completely unharmed.

Caelan, the Alpha of the Northern pack, was staring openly at me. In his ice-blue eyes were undisguised hatred and satisfaction.

His warriors had suffered two crushing defeats at my hands.

"Jodie." He spoke slowly, his low voice laced with mockery. "So this day has come for you too."

I ignored him. My gaze passed over him and fixed on the people opposite me.

Harvey stepped forward and addressed Caelan.

"Alpha, the person has been brought. May we take Sabrina and leave now?"

There was careful, almost pleading humility in his tone. He had utterly disgraced the Frostmoon wolf pack.

Caelan suddenly laughed. He lifted the long whip in his hand and pointed it at me.

"This is the strongest Alpha of your Frostmoon pack?"

"A cripple who can't even stand?"

The Northern guards behind him erupted into mocking laughter.

My three brothers' faces turned horribly dark, but not one of them spoke to defend me.

They only guarded Sabrina even more closely, afraid she might be harmed.

Sabrina peeked out from behind Harvey, her eyes falling on my legs.

In those eyes that always shimmered with tears, there was not the slightest guilt. Instead, a clear flicker of triumph crossed them.

She even curled her lips at me, just a little.

It was the smile of a victor.

Silent, and blinding.