Chapter 4

The next two days, Kieran didn't come home.

On the third day, I saw him at Isabella's birthday party. He wore a noble black wolf-fur robe, tenderly pushing her wheelchair. She was wrapped in thick snow-beast fur blankets, pale as parchment, so fragile she seemed ready to dissolve into moonlight.

The slightest furrow of her brow had Kieran immediately bending to whisper in her ear, concern radiating from every line of his body.

I couldn't help the bitter smile that curved my lips. He kept claiming this was all an act, but his devoted gaze was exactly the same as four years ago.

My father stood at the altar, tears glistening: "My daughter has been both unfortunate and blessed. Though her life has been tragically short, she has loving family and a devoted partner who never abandoned her..."

The massive projection stone flickered, casting Isabella's life story across the night sky: her as a child learning to channel moonlight, her coming-of-age ceremony, her wedding to Kieran a few days ago. In every frame, I was nothing more than a blurry shadow in the corner : silent, ignored.

The gathered guests sighed, moved by this display of "true love."

Without warning, the carved totem pole began shaking violently.

The holy silver-white light turned blood red, and ancient wolf script appeared in the sky, letters dripping like fresh blood:

"Isabella, vile thief of power!"

"May your bloodline wither and your soul fall into eternal darkness!"

Chaos erupted.

Isabella screamed, clutching her head as her power collapsed. She vomited blood and fell unconscious.

"Isabella!" My stepmother shrieked.

Kieran's face went ashen as he scooped her up, power radiating with rage. "Get the healer now!"

A tribal elder examined the totem pole, then raised his head with sharp eyes. "This blood curse... the energy signature points to Mrs Seraphina's bloodline power!"

An omega stepped forward trembling: "Before the party... I saw Mrs Seraphina near the chamber where the totem pole is stored..."

All eyes focused on me like arrows.

"SLAP!" My father's backhand struck my face, making my ears ring. "You wicked creature! Your sister is already dying, and you still curse her?!"

Before I could steady myself, Kieran's voice cut through the chaos like ice: "I should have seen this coming. Your jealousy has completely consumed you, Seraphina. You've lost your mind."

The words hit harder than any physical blow.

"Kieran, I—"

"Don't." He cut me off, looking at Isabella's pale face, then back at me with pure revulsion. "Cursing an innocent woman on her birthday? This is beyond jealousy,this is pure evil."

"I would never—"

"You're my mate," he said coldly, "and that makes this betrayal even more unforgivable. The woman I married would never stoop to such darkness."

My father stepped forward. "Guards! Lock her in solitary confinement. No one releases her without my direct order!"

I looked desperately at Kieran, waiting for him to defend me. Instead, he nodded grimly.

"Do it," he said quietly. "She's too dangerous to be left free. Maybe isolation will help her confess what she's done."

Strong hands seized my arms, dragging me away. I fought against their grip, screaming my innocence, but Kieran had already turned away, carrying Isabella toward the healers.