Chapter 2

Marcus's smile faded.

"It's been five years, Nora. Are you still holding a grudge over that?"

He folded his arms and looked down at me.

"I've already forgiven you for slapping me. I'm not going to let you starve out there."

"I don't need your forgiveness." I let out a short, humorless laugh. "I'm Silverpine's Luna, and I'm here representing my pack tonight."

For a moment, Marcus just stared at me.

Then he burst out laughing. Several guests nearby lowered their glasses, eager to see what would happen next.

"Silverpine's Luna?" He leaned closer, lowering his voice as though he were explaining something to a child.

"Do you even know who Rowan is? He's the Alpha King, heir to the royal Ashford bloodline, and head of the Pack Council. And you expect me to believe he'd choose a rogue like you to be his queen?"

Celeste handed her pup to an attendant and walked over, smiling sweetly.

"Do you have any idea how hard we've worked to get the King and Queen to attend this celebration? You can't just claim their seats because you feel like it."

She pointed toward the two high-backed chairs in the middle of the hall.

"They wouldn't even let you clean those chairs, let alone sit in them."

The hall erupted in laughter. The guests looked at me as if I'd just told the most ridiculous joke they'd ever heard.

"That's why she turned down the nanny job. She's the queen!"

"She's almost convincing, I'll give her that."

"Guess a rogue can call herself anything when there's no pack around to set her straight."

I ignored them and looked directly at Marcus.

"The guard checked my invitation at the door. Bring him over and ask him yourself."

"Enough." Marcus turned to his Beta. "Get me a nanny contract."

Beta Mark hurried away and returned a moment later with a sheet of parchment. Marcus spread it across a nearby table and began filling in the terms himself.

"Three gold coins a month. That's six times the usual wage. And instead of sharing a room with three other servants, you'll have one of your own."

He paused, then added two more conditions.

"You won't tell my pup about our past. And you won't tell anyone else you were once my lover."

I glanced at the contract and let out a bitter laugh. I didn't even bother reaching for it.

He'd made the offer sound generous until it came time to put a price on my silence. He hadn't even considered that I might refuse.

Celeste took a leisurely sip of wine.

"You'll report to me three times a day. I want to know what he eats and how long he sleeps. And whenever you see me, you'll lower your eyes and address me as Luna. Don't forget your place again."

Her tone was light, almost playful, but she watched me closely over the rim of her glass, waiting to see whether I'd submit.

Looking at the two of them, I could barely believe what I was hearing.

I turned to leave. There was no point wasting another word on people who'd already decided they knew everything.

Marcus grabbed my wrist.

"I'm offering you a way out, and this is how you repay me?"

His grip tightened until pain shot through my arm. I tried to pull free, but he wouldn't let go.

The unsigned contract lay on the table beside us.

Then his gaze fell on the bracelet slipping out from beneath my sleeve.

It was a moonstone mate bracelet engraved with Silverpine's royal crest.

Celeste stepped closer, her eyes widening.

"That's the design on the Luna Queen's bracelet." She looked from the bracelet to my face, then gave a derisive laugh. "You actually had a fake made? Who are you trying to fool?"

"Let go of me."

I wrenched my wrist from Marcus's grasp.

He stared at the bracelet, his expression darkening.

"A mate bracelet? So you've found yourself another wolf?"

"That's none of your business."

"Can't even afford a real bracelet, can you? You have to wear a fake instead?" Marcus pulled a small pouch from his pocket and shook it, letting the gold coins clink together.

"If you're broke, just say so. Send your mate to me. I'll find him a job so you two can stop making a living off lies."

He held the pouch out in front of me as though I might snatch it from his hand.

Celeste had recognized the royal crest, yet neither of them could bring themselves to consider that I might be telling the truth.

Before I could respond, a familiar voice rang out from across the hall.

"Mommy!"

My son came running toward me, his face bright with excitement.

His nanny hurried after him, but he'd clearly been too eager to wait for her.

I crouched and opened my arms. Owen ran straight into them, wrapping his little arms around my neck.

Behind me, the clinking of gold coins abruptly stopped.

Marcus was staring at my son's face.