Chapter 3
Evelyn’s voice carried a trace of worry.
“What if she’s truly stubborn? What if she would rather marry the crippled wolf than admit she was wrong?”
Barry chuckled, kissing her cheek softly.
“Then that’s even better. It only makes things easier for us.”
My steps quickened, as if by running faster I could escape the sharp edges of his words cutting into me. But no matter how fast I moved, the tears blurred my vision, burning hot against my skin.
When I finally returned home, I collapsed into my mother’s arms, sobbing until I couldn’t breathe.
Her hand stroked my hair, her voice tender and aching.
“Emily, no matter what you choose, Mommy will always stand with you.”
I swallowed back the tremor in my throat, wiping at my tears as I choked out,
“Mommy… I’ll marry the warrior from the Bayport Pack.”
Her smile was bitter, her eyes filled with sorrow and pity as she brushed away the tears on my cheeks.
Barry was willing to sacrifice his fated mate for Evelyn, stripping me of my dignity as a Luna-to-be. If this was his choice, then I would choose mine.
The wedding date was set for seven days later, and the household erupted into chaos. My mother summoned the finest seamstress in the pack to sew my wedding gown that very night. Even Father gave in at last, sending invitations to his closest allies.
Three days later, I was bent over my desk, carefully writing each crimson card by hand. The bright red envelopes bled with cheerfulness, though the ink was still wet.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the hall. A servant burst in, pale-faced and trembling.
“Princess—Evelyn is here! She… she says you must return Barry’s possession!”
My heart lurched. My voice turned sharp, cold.
“Nonsense! I never took anything from him!”
I rushed outside.
The gates were already crowded with onlookers, the courtyard packed shoulder to shoulder. Evelyn stood at the center, dressed in a flowing white gown. Her brown hair fell in loose waves, her lips red against her pale skin, like snow under moonlight.
The moment her eyes met mine, tears welled. She dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.
“Emily,” her voice trembled, yet carried clearly over the crowd, “please return Barry’s Alpha Contract Stone.”
My breath caught. “What contract stone? I’ve never taken things from him!”
On her knees, Evelyn crept closer, tears slipping down her cheeks. Her voice was sorrowful, but loud enough for every ear present.
“Three months ago, Barry placed the stone in your hands himself, calling it a token of love. But that stone is no mere trinket—it is the Alpha’s Contract Stone, the heart of the Coyote Pack’s survival. Yesterday, when the steward was taking inventory, he found it was gone. And now everyone says—you intend to carry it into Bayport, to help that crippled warrior tear down our borders!”
Every word she spoke turned the air colder, and the gazes around me darkened.
“If it’s true, then she means to betray the entire pack!”
“Give back the contract stone! Or Bayport will use it to breach our defenses!”
“What kind of Luna candidate does this? Shameful!”
I trembled, my chest heaving as panic clawed at me.
“Lies! I don’t know anything about this stone. I would never betray my pack!”
But behind her tears, Evelyn’s lips curved in the faintest smile. Her voice grew sharp, cutting.
“Then prove it. Show us the evidence. Can you prove Barry didn’t place it in your hands? Can you prove you’re not taking it with you to the Bayport Pack?”
I faltered, my lips parting, no words coming out.
Because the truth was—he had forced it into my hands that day. I hadn’t known it was the Alpha’s Contract Stone. I thought it was just a small gift.
Now, it had become evidence of betrayal.
The crowd’s eyes burned into me, filled with contempt. The cries grew louder, harsher.
“Strip her of her title!”
“Make her surrender the stone!”
