Elara woke with her heart pounding, Darian's warning still echoing in her mind. One of us is not what he seems. The morning light streamed through the window, but it brought no comfort.
Today was the monthly pack meeting—and she knew Celeste would be there, ready to finish what she'd started.
"You don't have to go," Darian told her as they walked toward the great hall. After invoking the Right of Protection, he had barely left her side.
"If I hide, they'll think I'm guilty," Elara replied, clutching her moon pendant.
Luna Evelyn had found it on her bedroom floor that morning, proving Celeste had somehow stolen and planted a fake.
The great hall was packed. Wolves from every corner of the territory had come, drawn by rumors of murder and mate bonds.
As Elara entered with Darian, the crowd parted like water, whispers following in their wake. Alpha Marcus sat on his throne, his face carved from stone. Kael stood at his right, regal and distant. Ronan was nowhere to be seen.
