Avery stood frozen, her amber eyes widening as she stared at Hudson. A chaotic storm of surprise and confusion swirled within her scent. Why was the Alpha of the Silver Ridge—the man who had treated her like a ghost in her own den—suddenly baring his teeth in her defense?

It clicked into place a moment later. The Montgomery pride. She was the Luna of his pack by blood-contract, however hollow. If the high-ranking families saw her humiliated, it would be a stain on the Montgomery lineage that no amount of ritual washing could cleanse.

Rachel Simpson approached Avery with hesitant, heavy steps. Her face was flushed, the heat of embarrassment...