“It was,” he insisted, finally pushing himself to his feet. “I swear on Blake’s memory, Knox. It was one night. But when the rumors about you and Mary started, when Alderic began pushing the marriage at every council meeting, I ended anycontact with her immediately. Wouldn’t even be in the same room as her. But apparently...” He gestured helplessly. “She was already pregnant.”
I reached out through the pack bond, tasting the truth of his words. No deception, just bitter regret and self-loathing so strong it made me nauseous.
“You’re not lying,” I said, and somehow that made it worse. If he’d been having an affair, if he’d been deceiving me for months, I could have written him off as a traitor. But one night of stupidity that spiraled into this mess? That was harder to process. “Fuck, Cole. Do you realize what you’ve done?”
“Given Alderic exactly what he wanted,” Cole said bitterly. “A way to tie his family to power. Even if it’s through the beta instead of the Alpha, it’s still a connection. I played right into their hands.”
“It’s worse than that,” I said, sinking into my chair. “Mary knew. She had to know she was pregnant when she made that announcement. Which means...”
“Which means she was willing to lie about the father to trap you,” Cole finished. “And when that didn’t work, she’d probably have revealed the truth eventually. Either way, Alderic wins.”
My phone buzzed on the desk. A text from Noah:We have him. Blade agreed to testify. Coming back now.
“They got Blade,” I said, showing Cole the message.
Relief flashed across his face. “Time to end this.”
“Yeah.” I stood, already planning. “I’m calling an emergency pack meeting for sunset. Every member, mandatory attendance.”
“Knox...” Cole’s voice was quiet. “What about... my pup?”
The pain in his voice made me pause. Whatever else had happened, there was an innocent child involved. A pup who didn’t ask to be conceived in deception or used as a political pawn.
“We’ll figure it out after,” I said finally. “After Alderic is dealt with, after Mary faces justice for her lies. The pup is innocent in this. But right now, we take down Alderic.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What I should have done from the beginning. Tell the truth. All of it.” I met his eyes. “That includes your part, Cole. The pack needs to know everything.”
He nodded, no hesitation. “I know. I’ll take whatever punishment you decide. I betrayed your trust, even if I didn’t mean to. That deserves consequences.”
“Later,” I said. “Right now, we have bigger problems than your dick’s poor decision-making skills.”
That got a weak smile from him. “Fair enough.”
I pulled out my phone, sending the mass text to all pack members. Emergency meeting, sunset, mandatory attendance. Anyone who missed it better be dead or dying.
“Today, everyone learns the truth,” I said, looking at the evidence scattered across my desk. “Every lie, every betrayal, every secret. No more hiding, no more politics, no more games. Alderic thinks he’s won? He’s about to learn what happens when you come for a Raven’s family.”
Cole stood to leave, then paused at the door. “Knox? I’m sorry. For all of it. I never meant-”
“I know,” I cut him off. “We’ll deal with us later. Right now, we have a pack to save and a traitor to destroy.”
He left, and I was alone with my thoughts again. But this time, instead of pacing, I had a purpose. In a few hours, everything would come to light. Alderic would face justice. Mary’s lies would be exposed. And my family would finally be safe.
I looked at the photo on my desk, the one Noah had taken yesterday. Lina laughing as the twins climbed all over me, her engagement ring catching the light. My real family. My mate, my pups, my everything.
Today, the pack would meet their future Luna and their true heirs. Everyone would learn the truth. No more secrets.
***
The pack hall filled quickly once word spread about the emergency meeting. Wolves streamed in from all corners of the territory, whispers and speculation running wild. Emergency meetings were rare, usually reserved for war declarations or Alpha challenges. The tension in the room was electric.
I stood at the podium, Cole beside me despite the bruise darkening his jaw. The projector was ready, laptop loaded with all of Noah’s evidence. Hunt stationed himself by the main doors while other trusted wolves covered the exits. No one was leaving until this was over.
Alderic sat in the council section, his usual smug confidence on full display. Mary sat next to him, one hand resting on her barely-showing belly, playing the part of the wronged almost-mate perfectly. They both looked so sure of themselves, so certain they’d won.
They had no idea what was coming.
