My brother, Aldrich Carver, was the Alpha of the Black Pine Pack, and I, Erica Carver, was his only sister. Three of his highest-ranking wolves, Kane Wilder, Colbert Ford, and Abner Cross, had protected me since childhood. All three wanted me as their mate. They had even sworn before the Moon Goddess: "Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to step over our dead bodies first." I'd always believed I would marry one of them someday. Then an outsider she-wolf named Melissa Duncan arrived in Black Pine with her child. Kane abandoned me during a thunderstorm, knowing full well how terrified I was of thunder, just so he could walk her home. Colbert stopped coming to pick me up, too. All he cared about was finding Melissa. On the night of my 23rd birthday, I clung to Abner, the only one who was still willing to stay by my side. "Did I do something wrong?" He kissed my forehead. "You did nothing wrong. Sooner or later, they'll realize what they've lost." But before the party was even over, he placed the crown meant for me on Melissa's head. "Are you happier now?" he asked her gently. I blew out the last candle in my hand and went to knock on my brother's door. "In three days, the pack has to send someone north for a marriage alliance. Let me do it."