Chapter 1
The sunlight creeps into my bedroom just as a knock rattles the door. Groaning, I drag the pillow over my head and curse whoever it is.
It’s too early. Too bright. Who in their right mind would wake me at this hour?
“Scarlet?” My mother’s voice comes from the other side.
“Go away,” I grumble, my words muffled by the pillow.
For a few blissful seconds, I think she’s left. But then the doorknob turns, and she enters, her sharp eyes fixed on me with a familiar look of disapproval.
“You should already be up, young lady. Today is important.”
“Mother, please…” I groan. “Let me sleep.”
“No.” Her tone leaves no room for argument. “Get dressed. We need to find you something fine to wear. You must look perfect for tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten,” she says, folding her arms.
“What?”
“The Shadow Pack is visiting. Alpha Blake is coming tonight.”
At that, I grimace, the sleepiness in me vanishing. I almost managed to forget.
My father invited Alpha Blake weeks ago to negotiate a truce. For months, the Alpha ignored him, and when he finally did answer, his letter made it clear: he wanted something in return.
My father thinks it’s gold he’s after. But I doubt it. Alpha Blake, the infamous ruler who takes what he wants, kills who he pleases, doesn’t strike me as the kind to settle for a pile of coins.
I despise him, for everything he’s done to our pack. And my father is a fool for trusting him.
“The pack must look presentable,” Mother continues briskly, “and you, young lady, will behave yourself. I won’t have you embarrassing us in front of the Alpha.”
I sit up slowly, staring at her with dull obedience. “Yes, Mother.”
Her expression softens as she notices the unhappiness in my eyes. “I know how you feel, sweetheart. But you have to understand… this is the only way to protect the pack. Alpha Blake’s warriors outnumber us, and your father and I are doing what’s best for everyone.”
“I understand.”
“Good.” She smooths a strand of my hair behind my ear and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Breakfast is waiting for you in the kitchen.”
Before she leaves, she pulls open the curtains, flooding the room with golden light. Her red hair glows in the sun, just like mine. People always say I look exactly like her in her youth, the same fiery hair and deep blue eyes. The same quiet defiance.
“You look exhausted,” she observes. “Another dream?”
“Yes,” I admit.
“The big black wolf again?”
I nod. “Usually it just watches me… lurking in the dark. But this time… it started chasing me.”
“And did it catch you?”
“No.”
She smirks. “Maybe you should let it. See what happens next.”
“It’s just a dream, Mother. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“You never know,” she says with a shrug. “Now hurry up before your food gets cold.”
***
“You look like a fat guy with long hair,” Janna snorts from behind me, arms crossed as she watches me in the mirror.
I frown at my baggy dress. “Do I really look that bad?”
“No. But your dress does,” she snorts, already rifling through my closet. She pulls out something slinkier. “Try this one.”
I peel off the sack of a dress and slip into the one she hands me. It fits snugly, and when I glance in the mirror, I have to admit it’s better. “Well… this looks nice.”
“Yeah. Way better,” she agrees, crossing her arms with satisfaction. “But really, why are you even dressing up like a Barbie for the Alpha? He’s a savage. I don’t think he cares about some pretty girl in a pretty dress.”
“I know,” I say, smoothing the fabric over my hips. “But my mother insists I look… presentable.”
“Just wear a hoodie and call it a day.”
I chuckle. “I don’t think so.”
“Who cares what Alpha Blake thinks anyway?”
“Don’t say that,” I warn softly. “If my father hears you, you’ll be in big trouble.”
“Oh, please. Everyone hates Alpha Blake. Your father’s just pretending not to… for the sake of peace.”
“I heard…” I lower my voice. “I heard he wants something in return.”
Janna perks up. “What?”
“I don’t know. My father thinks it’s gold.”
“We have plenty of gold.”
“Yes, but Alpha Blake isn’t known for chasing riches. He doesn’t need more than he already has. He’s known for killing. He wants blood. Victory. I think that’s what he’s really after.”
Her expression shifts. “You think… he’s coming here to fight? To kill?”
“I don’t know.” My voice cracks just slightly. “But I’m scared for my father. He’s… blinded by grief. We lost so many warriors in the last battle. And now he’s desperate to save what’s left of the pack.”
“Then warn him,” she insists. “You’re his daughter. I’m sure he’ll listen.”
I give her a weak smile, though in my heart I know better. My father never listens to me. He says I’m hot-tempered, good at keeping grudges, and too suspicious of everyone. Maybe he’s right. But it’s just who I am. I don’t trust everyone. Is that such a bad thing?
Besides, how can I trust someone like Alpha Blake?
“Have you ever seen him?” Janna asks after a beat, eyes glinting with curiosity. “Alpha Blake?”
I shake my head. “No. But my father told me stories. That his wolf is massive. That he fights like no other. They say he’s a monster, with strength no one dares challenge.”
Her lips quirk into a smirk. “Bet he’s hideous. Old, fat, and ugly.”
I giggle despite myself. “Actually… Beta Leo says he’s the youngest, strongest Alpha he’s ever seen. A prodigy.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Now I really can’t wait to see him. There has to be more to him than everyone says.”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” I say, rifling through my closet again.
“How about this?” Janna suggests slyly, pulling out a short, black dress that barely reaches my thighs.
I give her a look.
“Oh no,” I protest, recognizing the glint in her eyes.
“Oh yes,” she says, dangling it in front of me.
A minute later, I’m standing in front of the mirror, breath catching at my reflection. It takes me seconds to slip it on. The fabric clings to me perfectly, hugging my curves. In the mirror, my red hair falls over my shoulders, the dark dress making my blue eyes look brighter, more daring.
Janna and I exchange mischievous smirks.
My mother would faint if she saw me now.
I spin, catching a glimpse of myself from behind, my long hair, the daring hemline, the way my dress rises up when I move.
“Perfect,” I whisper.
