Se connecterJulian“N-Nothing, Alpha!” the boy sobbed, his hands shaking violently. “You asked for water! I just poured it from the clean pitcher in the kitchen!”“What did you put inside?!” I yelled, shaking him.“Nothing! I swear on my life! It’s just plain water!”I let go of his collar, turning toward the table. I picked up the crystal glass and held it right in front of the boy’s face.“This guard says this water is filled with poison,” I sneered, glaring at Dom out of the corner of my eye. “You brought it up here. Are you confident enough to drink it right now?”The boy blinked through his tears, looking confused. “Y-Yes, Alpha. I am confident. I didn’t put anything in it.”Diane stepped forward, her voice soft, terrified, and shaking. “Are you sure? Young man, please… I don’t want you to lose your life for nothing. Are you absolutely sure you didn’t tamper with my water?”“I swear with my life, Luna,” the boy whispered, wiping his nose with his sleeve. “I didn’t touch it.”“Fine,” I said s
Julian.I sat in the front row of the auditorium, resting my hands on my knees. The air in the room was warm and thick with the heavy scent of expensive perfume. Microphones hummed softly. The bright stage lights cut through the room, shining down on Diane as she stood at the wooden podium.She looked small up there. Her voice echoed off the high walls, clear and steady, talking about pack unity and the upcoming gala.Across the aisle, Zee caught my eye. He sat near the end of his row. When he looked over at me, he gave a tiny, subtle wink.I didn’t smile. I kept my face completely blank and looked straight ahead at the stage.A single slip-up, a single misplaced look, in a room full of videos and cameras, and someone would notice. I wasn’t going to be stupid. Everything was already in motion.Then, right on schedule, the room went wild.It started with a few low vibrations. Then, dozens of phone screens lit up in the dark auditorium all at once. Elders pulled out their devices. Counc
Diane.“The Luna killed him!”“Diane ordered the hit!”“She murdered him to steal his land!”“Look at what the royal family does to poor landowners!”“Luna Diane is a murderer!”I froze. My blood ran cold.It wasn’t just coming from people in my pack. The stream was viral across the entire territory. Millions of people were watching the video right now, reading the headlines, and accusing me of cold-blooded murder.A loud, chaotic murmur erupted inside the hall. Executives stood up from their chairs. Reporters pushed forward, holding up their heavy cameras to capture my face.“She murdered him?” someone shouted from the middle row.“Is this true, Luna?!” a reporter yelled over the noise.My knees went weak. My hands shook so violently that the phone almost slipped from my fingers. I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt like it was being crushed under a heavy stone. I looked out into the crowd, my mind spinning into complete darkness.Down in the front row, Julian stood up.He moved quickly
Diane The grand hall was filled with soft music, bright lights, and the clinking of crystal glasses. Even though this was just a pre-gala meeting for the pack executives and elders, the room was packed. Red velvet carpets covered the floor, and photographers stood near the entrance, their cameras flashing every time an important guest walked through the door. High-ranking officers in dark suits stood in small circles, laughing and sipping expensive drinks. I smoothed down the front of my gown, offering polite smiles to the council members as I moved through the room. My eyes swept over the crowd, looking for a familiar face. Then, I spotted him. Standing near the tall glass windows was a man I hadn’t seen in years. “Zander?” I called out, stepping toward him. He turned around, his eyes widening in surprise before a warm, bright smile broke across his face. Zander was one of my closest friends growing up—the son of Elder Silas. “Diane!” Zander gasped, opening his arms wide to pu
Days later…Dom.The bass from the speakers downstairs hummed right through the floorboards.Even though this was just supposed to be a small pre-gala meeting for the pack executives and high-ranking leaders, the palace was buzzing with activity. Red carpets covered the grand hallway. Bright camera flashes went off every few seconds. Reporters were already talking about how huge the main gala night would be in a few days.I stood near the corner of the grand foyer, my eyes scanning every face in the crowd. I adjusted the tiny, invisible earpiece tucked into my left ear.Diane stepped out of her private dressing room, her gown dragging slightly along the smooth floor. She stopped right in front of me, taking a deep breath to steady herself."How do I look?" she asked, looking up at me with a smile.My eyes moved from her nervous smile down to her neck. Resting against her skin was the diamond pendant necklace I had bought for her birthday months ago.She caught me looking, her fingers
Julian I pulled my car up to the front curb of Zee's house, cutting the engine.Parked right in the driveway was a sleek, black luxury sports car I had never seen before.I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and stepped out onto the cool pavement. I walked up the paved walkway and pushed the front door open—it wasn't locked—stepping inside the dimly lit living room.Zee was standing near the center of the wide sitting area, surrounded by two men in dark suits. A tall, well-dressed tailor was hovering around him, taking measurements and adjusting a beautiful, well-tailored suit on Zee's frame.Zee turned his head as the door clicked, his face lighting up with a smooth smile. "Oh, hey!" He smoothed down the front of the expensive jacket. "How does this look?"I stood near the entrance, my hands shoved deep into my pockets. A cold frown settled on my face.I was not happy to be here. I hadn't forgiven him for his cruel words, or for how he treated me when I was sick, or







