Chapter 3
The quarterly treaty discussions with Moonstone Pack were always a formal affair. I stood at the back of the meeting hall, my position as unofficial Luna granting me just enough status to attend, though not to participate. Three years of this half-existence had taught me to make myself invisible when needed.
"Alpha Thaddeus," a deep voice carried across the room. "The Moonstone Pack extends its respects."
I lifted my eyes to see Beta Kieran Austin stride into the hall, his broad shoulders and confident stance commanding attention. Unlike most visiting wolves who avoided looking at me entirely, his gaze found mine briefly—a flicker of recognition, perhaps even concern.
"Welcome, Beta Austin," Thaddeus replied coolly. "We're prepared to discuss the northern hunting grounds as requested."
Throughout the meeting, I noticed Kieran's eyes returning to me at odd moments. When Thaddeus dismissed me with a curt gesture to fetch refreshments, Kieran's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"You'll find the wine in the cellar," Thaddeus said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Don't dawdle."
I kept my head high as I left, though my cheeks burned with humiliation.
In the kitchen, I found Kieran examining a map of the territory.
"Luna Vera," he said quietly, using my title despite everything. "May I assist you?"
"Thank you," I whispered, "but I shouldn't be seen accepting help from another pack's Beta."
His eyes held mine for a moment longer than necessary. "Strength isn't measured by how much abuse one can endure."
The words hit me like a physical blow. No one had ever acknowledged what I was going through so directly.
---
The joint training session was meant to strengthen pack alliances through shared combat techniques. I watched from the sidelines as wolves from both packs paired off for sparring exercises.
Nova had volunteered to demonstrate the cliff-climbing safety equipment, her laughter ringing out as she helped secure David—one of our strongest warriors—into his harness.
"Make sure it's tight," she called out, her hands lingering on the straps longer than necessary. "We wouldn't want any accidents."
Something in her tone made my skin crawl.
I stepped closer, watching as she double-checked his harness with exaggerated care. When David turned to grab the climbing rope, Nova's fingers moved swiftly along the buckle.
"Nova," I said sharply. "Check his left strap again."
She turned to me, her eyes flashing with annoyance before quickly masking it with concern. "Oh, Vera, I'm so nervous with you watching. You're making me second-guess everything."
Before I could respond, David stepped off the platform. The harness held for one moment—then the buckle gave way with a sickening crack.
His scream echoed across the training ground as he plummeted twenty feet to the rocks below.
"David!" Several voices cried out at once.
Nova's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with practiced horror. "Oh goddess! I—I don't understand! I checked it twice!"
I rushed forward, but Thaddeus was already there, kneeling beside David's broken form.
"What happened?" he demanded, his Alpha aura radiating fury.
"I was distracted," Nova sobbed, her voice breaking perfectly. "Vera was standing so close, watching me with such... such hatred. I could feel her negative energy affecting my concentration."
"That's ridiculous," I protested. "I was nowhere near—"
"Silence!" Thaddeus roared. "First poison, now this?"
---
The punishment pit was an ancient tradition few packs still observed. A deep underground chamber where pack members who committed serious offenses were sent for "traditional justice."
"Five days," Thaddeus announced to the assembled pack. "She will answer to David's family for her actions."
"I didn't do anything!" My voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.
David's father stepped forward, his face twisted with grief and rage. "My son may never walk properly again."
"Please," I begged, looking to Thaddeus one last time. "At least investigate—"
"Investigate what?" he cut me off. "Whether your poisonous jealousy affected Nova's concentration? The evidence is clear."
Two warriors grabbed my arms, dragging me toward the heavy iron door that led to the underground chambers.
"Thaddeus," Nova whispered, her voice carrying just enough for me to hear. "Will she survive five days?"
He pulled her close, his hand stroking her hair. "That depends on how much they believe she deserves to suffer."
As they pulled me through the doorway, I caught Nova's expression over Thaddeus's shoulder—her eyes gleaming with triumph, her lips curved in a smile that vanished as quickly as it appeared.
The iron door slammed shut behind me with a finality that echoed through my bones. In the dim light of the pit, I realized this might be more than just punishment.
It might be the end.
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