Chapter 2

I stood in the center of my room. Fir and snow lingered—his scent. All that remained was the sting.

First into the trunk: the wool shawl he gave me at last winter's rites. The blue of the deepest northern ice—he'd said it matched my eyes.

To hell with matching.

“Leona?” came a sugared whisper from the door.

I didn't turn. “Wrong room, luna. Yours is down the hall.”

Viola crept in, fingers twisting her skirt. “I wanted to help… Asher said you'd be moving.”

I straightened so fast she flinched. “Help? To check I didn't hide any of his things—or to see if I've cried?”

Her eyes glossed. “Why do you always think the worst of me? We grew up as sisters.”

“Exactly why I know how you ‘help.'” I picked up the album; my fingertips burned. “The way you ‘helped' with the luna's place.”

“Asher,” came from the doorway.

He crossed in and took that half-step in front of her, protective without thinking. It cut deeper than I expected.

“No need,” he said to me—alpha weight in his tone. “Viola's showing concern.”

“Like your way of showing loyalty?” I asked. “Marking two women at once?”

His jaw set. “For the pack. Viola's blood is purer. The elders calm when they see it.”

“Oh, then I should thank you both.” I swept the room filled with our years. “One steals my place, the other tears the vow.”

Viola tugged his sleeve. “Don't—don't fight. Asher only meant for me to stay at his aunt's—closer to council…”

“You put her at your aunt's?” I asked. “A hundred paces from your bed?”

“It's safer,” he said, voice brooking none. “All eyes are on us. She needs protection.”

“Protection,” I repeated. “From my ‘malice,' or the rumor mill polishing your new luna?”

He stepped in. “Watch your tone.”

“Or what?” I held his gaze. “Use your alpha voice again? Bite me again?”

Viola drew a little breath. “Please—don't. It's my fault. I can go back to my old house—even if it isn't safe…”

“Enough,” Asher cut her off. His gold eyes locked on me. “Viola will be luna. That's settled. She will stay where she is. And you…”

His glance flicked to the half-packed trunk. “You have three days to leave the North's main grounds.”

The air froze. I'd expected it. Hearing it still twisted my gut.

“Three days?” My voice stayed level. “How generous.”

“The elders decided it,” he said. “Time to prepare, and to avoid… conflict.”

“Conflict?” I laughed. “Afraid I'll spoil the picture—or tell how you staged it?”

“It isn't like that!” Viola burst out. “They're worried you're not coping. And outside there are… rumors.”

“What rumors?” I asked.

She looked away. “That you couldn't accept the decision. That you acted… extreme. That you might not… suit the luna's role.”

“So exile me to prove I ‘suit' it?” I looked at Asher. “That's your fix? Send me off so she can ascend?”

His face hardened. “You need distance. It's for the good of all.”

I felt very tired. Eight years, and it was my first clear look at this face. “Fine.” I bent to the trunk. “Three days. I'll go.”

She moved to speak; he tugged her back. “Tell the guard if you need anything,” he said—like to any pack member.

The door closed on Viola's whisper: “Will she do anything foolish? I'm so worried…”