Author’s POV: Valerie’s sharp eyes lingered on the stranger in the blue gown—Silas—the way he clutched a handkerchief to his face, fingers trembling slightly, as if afraid to be recognized. A faint medical scent tickled her nostrils. *Wolfsbane.* Her spine stiffened. “Who’s your friend?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. Mira’s grip tightened faintly around Silas’ arm before she answered, “A distant cousin.” Her gaze flickered to Valerie’s hand still wrapped around her wrist, and she subtly twisted free. Valerie’s lips curled. “Hmm. How come I’ve never seen her before?” “She arrived this evening.” Mira’s tone was smooth, rehearsed. “After your concern earlier to Alaric about my… reliability, I thought it wise to have someone keep me in check.” A dark smirk played on Valerie’s lips. “I’m glad you listened.” “Thank you. But we’re in a hurry.” Mira bowed stiffly, her fingers digging into Silas’s arm as she steered him away before Valerie coul
Mira’s POV: “Silas?” My whisper was barely audible as I shook him, my fingers pressing into his shoulder. *Wake up. Please.* Then— Footsteps. I lunged for the tent flap, peeling it back just enough to see. Guards. Patrol shift change. My pulse hammered as I forced a smile and gave them a casual wave. They nodded and moved on. Too close. When I turned back, Silas’ breathing had steadied, shallow but regular. A shaky exhale escaped me. “Thank goodness,” I murmured, stepping closer to the treatment bed. His eyelids fluttered, fighting the weight of the belladonna’s grip. Then— “Where… am I?” His voice was rough, his pupils dilated as they struggled to focus. “My tent,” I said, smoothing the blanket beside him. “The plan worked. The whole pack thinks you’re dead.” “For a moment..I thought I was as well,” He chuckled weakly. “Dramatic,” I scoffed, but my hands still trembled as I tucked the silver leaf remnants into my pouch. “Though..we’ve go
Mira’s POV Her nails bit into my skin as she leaned in, her whisper dripping with venom. “I know you're behind this, witch." I wrenched my hand free, her nails leaving angry red trails in their wake. “Unhand me," I hissed, stepping back before she could latch on again. Valerie’s lips curled into a smirk, her dark eyes narrowing like a predator savoring the chase. “You helped Thalia escape, didn’t you?" “I don’t know what you’re talking about," I lied, turning away before she could read the truth in my eyes. My gaze fell on Silas’ lifeless form, and a fresh wave of guilt twisted in my gut. She moved closer, her voice sharp as a blade. “Swear that you don’t.” I forced steel into my spine and met her stare head-on. “I said I don’t know, Valerie." The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Her gaze bore into mine, searching for cracks, for hesitation—anything to confirm her suspicions. But I held firm, even as my pulse hammered in my throat. Fina
Back at Alaric’s Pack.. Mira’s POV The two guards hoisted Silas’s corpse between them, the sheet sagging like a shroud. The room emptied, leaving only Alaric, Valerie, and me. Valerie’s sharp eyes bore into me, suspicion tightening her features. She knew something was up. Valerie may be cunning and deceptive but one thing was sure, she was smart. And it wouldn’t be long before she found out things weren’t adding up. Meanwhile, Alaric studied the frayed rope still dangling from the beam—Silas’s final act. His fingers traced the fibers, searching for answers I prayed he wouldn’t find. I had to leave before he asked questions I couldn’t answer. Bowing my head, I turned toward the door— “Mira." His voice cracked like a whip, freezing me mid-step. I didn’t breathe. “Is Thalia awake?" My throat tightened. This was it—the moment I’d dreaded. The moment my lies would unravel. Fingers twisting the fabric of my dress, I forced myself to face him but ke
Thalia’s POV: The room was quiet—too quiet. After the chaos, the cliff, and the unintentional crash landing into a literal royal carriage, the silence inside the guest chamber they’d placed me in felt... unnatural. It was the kind of quiet that clung like a held breath, like the castle itself was waiting for me to slip up. I was barely clean. My face scrubbed raw, my hair damp and slicked back. The princess’s maids had worked quickly and silently, leaving behind a simple pale blue gown with delicate silver embroidery. It clung just enough to reveal curves I’d rather not show. Pregnancy was a secret I had no intention of spilling. Not yet. A soft knock at the door made me flinch. My muscles were still coiled like a cornered animal, even if the space was safe. Safer. “Miss Thalia?” a soft voice called. “Her Highness requests your presence for dinner.” I hesitated for only a breath before standing, smoothing the fabric of the gown with shaking hands. “Coming,” I
Meanwhile, as chaos consumed Alaric’s pack, Thalia was still on the run. Her freedom hanging by a thread. ——- Thalia’s POV: I didn’t know how long I had been running. Time blurred when your lungs were on fire and your legs screamed with every step. Molly stirred again. “Left. Cut through the ferns and jump that fallen log. I swear if you slow down, I’m dragging your pregnant ass myself.” “I’m trying!” I hissed between breaths, wiping blood from a fresh scratch across my cheek. My cloak had snagged, then torn, and now flapped uselessly behind me like a wounded flag. I stumbled over a root and bit my lip to keep from crying out. No pain. No fear. Just keep running. The moonlight was fading behind thick clouds, and I prayed for it to stay hidden. I wondered if they had found out I had escaped. I hoped not. Even if they had found out, I hoped they’d stumble in the dark while trying to look for me—better yet, lose my scent entirely. If the goddess wouldn’t bless me, the