“After we break her, we’ll blame the rogue attacks on her,” Candice says, her voice light as if discussing the weather. “It’s perfect. The human-passing mate who turned out to be a traitor all along.”
She laughs again, and the sound chills my blood.
“Just like we did with that other bitch,” she adds carelessly. “What was her name? Elise? Your brother never suspected a thing.”
My world stops.
The words echo in my head, each syllable a hammer blow against my skull. Elise. My mate. My everything. Dead because of them.
They caused it.
The realization crashes over me like an avalanche. The rogue attacks that killed my Elise weren’t random. The evidence that pointed to Selena in our previous life was fabricated. It was all an elaborate plot, one I was too grief-stricken to see through.
I trusted them. I helped them. I stepped aside and gave them my pack after Elise died, too broken to fight. I gave them the power to hurt Selena.
My chest tightens until breathing becomes painful. My vision sharpens, the night forest suddenly crystal clear as adrenaline floods my system. Rage and guilt collide inside me with such force that I have to brace myself against a tree to remain upright.
KILL THEM NOW, my wolf demands, clawing for control. TEAR THEM APART.
The temptation is nearly overwhelming. I could burst through that door and end both their lives before they could even scream. My claws would find Ronan’s throat first, then Candice’s. Justice for Elise. Protection for Selena.
But the sound of approaching footsteps breaks through my murderous haze. Someone’s coming, a group, by the steady rhythm of their gait.
I melt into the shadows, controlling my breathing, forcing my wolf back down. Not now. Not like this. Killing them would be too quick, too merciful. They deserve to suffer as they’ve made others suffer.
As the pack trackers pass by, oblivious to my presence, I make a silent vow. They will pay for what they’ve done. For Elise. For Selena. For the pack they’ve manipulated and the lives they’ve destroyed.
This time, I won’t fail. This time, history won’t repeat itself.
Because this time, I remember.
And this time, so does she.
9
Selena’s POV
Iquicken my pace toward the Council chambers, my breathing ragged enough to sell it, controlled enough to be believed. Every tremor in my voice rehearsed.
“Alpha Roland, Luna Vivienne,” I say, bursting through the heavy oak doors where the council has gathered. I clutch my chest as if the mate bond physically pains me. “I need your help. Something’s wrong with Ronan.”
Alpha Roland rises from his chair, concern etching deep lines across his weathered face. “Selena, what’s happened?”
I allow my voice to crack just enough. “The bond, it’s pulling me somewhere. Strongly. But Ronan told me he had pack business tonight.” I meet each council member’s eyes in turn. “I think he’s in danger. Or worse.”
My wolf purrs inside me.Perfect. Just perfect.
Luna Elena approaches, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Are you certain? The mate bond doesn’t typically...“
“I’ve never felt it like this before,” I interrupt, injecting desperation into my tone. “Please, we need trackers. Now.”
Alpha Roland studies me for a long moment. I keep my expression open, vulnerable, everything I’m not feeling inside.
“Get Justin and his team,” he finally commands. “If Selena believes Ronan is in trouble, we must investigate.”
Within minutes, four of the pack’s elite trackers assemble. I press my palm against my heart, feigning concentration.
“This way,” I say, leading them north toward the forest edge. “The pull is strongest in this direction.”
