Chapter 1
Five years after I walked away from Marcus, the Alpha of the Stonecliff Pack, I received an invitation to celebrate the birth of his heir.
Just as the guard reached for my invitation, Marcus's voice sounded behind me.
"Don't bother. Let her in."
He strode past without a backward glance, already heading toward his guests.
I handed the invitation to the guard anyway and waited until he'd checked every line before stepping inside.
Marcus was waiting just beyond the doors, wearing a smug smile.
"Say whatever you want. You still came back."
He tilted his head, looking me over with undisguised satisfaction.
"You've been lurking around Stonecliff all this time, haven't you? How else would you have known about tonight?"
I only smiled and kept my silence.
Five years ago, Marcus had traded me for the Alpha's crown and marked my closest friend, Celeste, right under my nose. That was the night I'd sworn never to have anything to do with him again.
I tried to walk past him, but he caught my wrist. His thumb brushed my skin as he lowered his voice.
"I'm glad you came back. Behave yourself around Celeste and my pup, and I might still have a place for you."
I yanked my hand free and looked past him at the two high-backed chairs positioned side by side in the center of the banquet hall.
One belonged to Rowan, the Alpha King of Silverpine and the last heir of the royal Ashford bloodline.
The other was reserved for me, his Luna Queen.
Marcus's gaze traveled from my collar to my bare wrists. A mocking smile spread across his face.
"Why are you acting so proud? Five years later, and you're still a rogue without a pack."
It took me a moment to understand what he meant.
Rowan and I had exchanged our vows before a priest, but we'd never held a public mating ceremony.
I'd always preferred to stay out of the spotlight. Outside Silverpine, few people knew I was the Luna Queen.
I hadn't worn any pack insignia to the celebration, and I'd arrived ahead of my royal escort because I didn't want to draw attention to myself.
To Marcus, I was still the packless woman who'd walked away five years ago.
"You made quite a scene when you left," he continued, lifting his chin. "Regretting it now? It's too late."
He gestured toward the woman farther down the hall.
"Stonecliff has a Luna now. And an heir."
I turned.
Celeste stood with a month-old pup in her arms, two attendants hovering behind her. She'd once been my closest friend. I'd even imagined her standing beside me on my wedding day.
Then she'd betrayed me with Marcus.
When I'd confronted him, he'd acted as though his choice should have been obvious.
"Celeste's father can fund my campaign for Alpha. Can you?" he'd asked. "Nora, stop making a fuss. I'll mark her, but you can still share my bed."
I'd slapped him in front of the entire pack.
Then I'd left Stonecliff that same day and ended our relationship for good.
Back then, I'd thought I'd never have to listen to him justify his betrayal again.
"Marcus?" Celeste's voice pulled me back to the present. Dressed in an elaborate gown, she frowned at him. "What is she doing here?"
His expression tightened. "Not now, Celeste."
She pressed her lips together, then swept her hair away from her neck, deliberately exposing her mate mark.
She made sure I saw it.
"You two look happy together," I said with a smile. "Congratulations."
Marcus shifted uneasily.
"Don't pretend you're fine, Nora. Did you come back hoping to find us miserable? Sorry to disappoint you. I'm the Alpha, and you're still a rogue."
Celeste was quick to pile on.
"Couldn't make it on your own out there, so you've come crawling back for help?"
Laughter rippled through the banquet hall.
"I thought she'd have more pride after the way she left."
"Five years, and now she's begging to be taken back."
"If I were her, I'd be on my knees apologizing. The Alpha's being generous just by letting her stay."
I let them talk.
Rowan would arrive in half an hour. I wanted to see their faces when he did.
"If you've come back to beg, I won't turn you away," Marcus said, as though he were doing me a great favor. "If you have nowhere else to go, you can stay here and look after our pup."
Celeste gave me a contemptuous once-over.
"Can someone as clumsy as her even take care of a baby?"
I glanced at the pup in her arms.
Whatever Marcus imagined I'd returned for, it certainly wasn't a place in his household.
"No, thanks."
