Chapter 1 - The Chosen Sacrifice
The wind howled across the frozen cliffs like the cry of a grieving wolf.
Sharp flakes of snow danced through the midnight air, cutting against exposed skin like tiny blades, but Luna Snow Frostborn did not flinch. She stood alone at the edge of the sacred mountain, her silver-white cloak whipping violently behind her as she stared into the endless darkness below.
Far beneath the cliffs, the Blackwood Pack slept peacefully, unaware that their Luna stood here tonight preparing to disappear from their lives forever.
The moon hung high above her, enormous and pale, watching.
Judging.
Waiting.
Behind Snow, the elders of the pack stood in a solemn circle, their fur-lined robes fluttering in the icy wind. Ancient symbols glowed faintly beneath their feet, carved deep into the frozen ground by generations long forgotten.
One of the priests stepped forward, his weathered voice trembling beneath the weight of centuries.
“Every fifty years, a she-wolf must be offered to the Moon Goddess.”
Snow remained silent.
The elder continued.
“The chosen sacrifice enters eternal slumber, sealed in ice until the curse is broken.”
Another elder lowered his gaze.
“This year, the pack must choose again.”
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unbearable.
No one volunteered.
No one ever did.
Because everyone knew what it meant.
To be chosen was to die.
To be remembered only as a story.
To be loved only after you were gone.
The oldest priest slowly lifted his head toward her.
“But who?”
Snow inhaled deeply.
The freezing air burned her lungs, but the pain felt insignificant compared to what already lived inside her chest.
She stepped forward.
“I will.”
Gasps broke through the circle.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
The priest’s pale eyes widened.
“Luna…”
He swallowed hard.
“Are you certain?”
Snow’s fingers slowly curled into fists beneath her cloak.
Her voice remained calm.
“Yes.”
The elders exchanged uneasy glances.
One of them stepped forward.
“You understand what this means.”
Snow looked up at the moon.
Its pale glow reflected inside her icy blue eyes.
“Yes.”
The priest’s voice softened.
“You will die.”
A strange smile touched Snow’s lips.
“Then maybe,” she whispered, “death will finally be kinder.”
The elders fell silent.
No one asked what she meant.
No one dared.
Because everyone in the Blackwood Pack knew their Luna as perfection.
Elegant.
Graceful.
Pure.
Untouchable.
No one knew how broken she really was.
The priest slowly raised an ancient silver blade. Moonlight reflected across its surface as he sliced lightly across Snow’s wrist.
A single drop of crimson blood hit the frozen ground.
The symbols beneath her feet suddenly ignited.
Blue fire spread in a perfect circle.
Snow didn’t move.
Didn’t scream.
Didn’t blink.
Ancient markings began crawling up her wrist like living frost, twisting around her skin in glowing silver patterns.
The pain came seconds later.
It was unbearable.
Like fire trapped beneath ice.
Her knees nearly buckled, but she refused to fall.
She had already fallen once.
And that fall had cost her everything.
When the light finally faded, seven crescent-shaped marks glowed faintly against her skin.
The priest’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“When these marks turn black…”
Snow stared at them.
“…the curse will activate.”
He looked at her with genuine pity.
“In seven days…”
His voice broke.
“Our men will come for you.”
Snow nodded once.
As if they had simply discussed the weather.
The priest handed her a small crystal device.
Her deceased notice.
A final message.
A voice left behind.
“What you record here,” he said quietly, “will be spoken to your loved ones after your sacrifice.”
Snow stared at it for several seconds.
Then laughed softly.
A broken sound.
“I don’t have any loved ones.”
The words sliced through the freezing air.
No one knew how to respond.
Because this was Luna Snow.
The woman every pack member adored.
The woman Alpha Ashton Blackwood worshipped.
The woman who seemed to have everything.
Everything.
Except the truth.
Snow tucked the crystal into her cloak and turned away.
The mountain path stretched endlessly before her.
With every step she took, the marks on her wrist burned hotter.
One day closer.
Seven days.
Seven days until she vanished.
Seven days until Ashton lost her forever.
Seven days until she joined the child she never got to hold.
By the time she returned to Blackwood Manor, the sun had begun rising over the mountains.
Golden light spilled across the estate like liquid fire.
Massive iron gates.
Endless marble halls.
The kind of home little girls dreamed about.
The kind of prison women learned to hate.
Snow stepped inside.
Warmth immediately surrounded her.
The scent of cedarwood.
Fresh roses.
And him.
Strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind.
Her entire body froze.
A familiar voice murmured against her neck.
“Home, babe.”
Alpha Ashton Blackwood.
Tall.
Powerful.
Beautiful.
The man every woman wanted.
The man Snow once believed would never hurt her.
He buried his face in her hair.
“Come here.”
His lips brushed her temple.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
Snow remained still.
Ashton spun her gently toward him, smiling like he always did.
That devastating smile.
Golden eyes.
Dark hair.
Broad shoulders.
Danger wrapped in perfection.
“I was checking up on your anniversary gown,” he said. “The designers are making sure it’s perfect.”
Snow stared into his eyes.
Or busy ripping dresses off your mistress.
The thought nearly made her sick.
But her face remained unreadable.
Ashton reached into a velvet box.
Inside sat a diamond necklace so beautiful it looked almost unreal.
He smiled.
“Here.”
Snow looked down.
Her chest tightened.
Once, gifts like this made her feel loved.
Now they just felt expensive.
“You’re going to be the star of our party.”
He fastened it around her neck.
His fingers brushed her skin.
“What a beautiful anniversary gift,” she whispered.
Ashton grinned.
“I actually have something else planned.”
“Oh?”
His eyes sparkled.
“But you’ll have to wait until our anniversary.”
Snow forced a smile.
“I have a surprise for you too.”
His expression lit up.
“Really?”
“You’ll have to wait.”
He pulled her into his arms.
“I love you, Snow.”
His voice was soft.
Dangerously believable.
“Till death do us part.”
Snow felt the marks on her wrist burn.
She looked over his shoulder toward the rising sun.
And whispered back.
“Yes.”
Her eyes slowly closed.
“Till death do us part.”
But this time…
She meant it literally.
Because in seven days…
She was leaving.
Forever.
And Ashton Blackwood still had no idea.
End of Chapter 1
