Merry Ravenell

Centuries of political games killed most of the female werewolves. Now only a few survive, and the Elders work to change the old ways of thinking.

Winter, the only daughter of the SilverPaw Alpha, finally meets the soul Gaia has chosen for her: Sterling, the cold, demanding, and entirely-too-human Alpha of the tiny SnowFang pack.

Thrust into a world of human wealth for which she was never prepared, Winter must become Sterling's flawless wife and Luna from the moment she arrives. The city is full of threats, both werewolf and human, and Sterling's past is full of secrets best left undisturbed.

When they are betrayed by those closest to them, Winter and Sterling embark on a dangerous game of brinkmanship that will change their lives, and the future of the werewolves, forever.

Silver is war. Silver is death.

Winter and Sterling may have escaped her father's greed, but they haven't eluded the grasp of the Elders.

The revelation about Sterling's pedigree and the Elder Council censuring Rodero for his actions—while sealing the entire thing in silence—have torn open old wounds, both political and personal. The other Elder Packs seethe at the embarrassment, AmberHowl wants their payment, and Jeron, now the Alpha of SilverPaw, plots his revenge.

A chance encounter with another Chronicler leads to a last terrible gift from Rodero. Powerless to fix it, outmaneuvered, and with the AmberHowl unwilling to help further, with wanderers thickening, City Sickness devouring Winter's mind, and the Elder Packs maneuvering to get rid of Sterling and his father, the tiny SnowFang have run out of moves.

It's checkmate, and Winter and Sterling face an impossible choice: leave SnowFang, or drag their packmates down with them.

The desperate search for a solution leads to one last gambit. Except this time Winter will have to play alone, and the price may be more than she can bear to pay.