Chapter 55

Dominic’s POV

That night felt like the moon itself was in on the conspiracy, just staring straight at me while I strode back and forth across my room. I hadn’t slept in days. My head was a hurricane of Mira’s poison, her doubts worming in so deep I couldn’t tell which thoughts were mine anymore.

Even Elora, standing there in the council, dealing with my impossible crap and still picking the pack over herself every. Single. time… That should’ve been enough, right? That should’ve been proof she was the Luna my father dreamed of, the one everyone needed.

No dice. Mira’s voice kept hissing in my skull.

She’s after both brothers. She’ll break you if you let her in.

I squeezed my fists so hard my nails left crescent marks. My reflection in the glass didn’t look alive, just some hollow-eyed ghost, all nerves and second-guessing.

I tried telling myself I was being noble, doing it for the good of the pack. Truth was I just didn’t wanna admit that keeping her away was all about protecting myself from wanting more, from blowing up my own carefully built wall.

Sleep was out of the question. Elora had said she was heading out for a walk in the gardens, probably to escape my permanent thundercloud mood. The storm outside had cleared, so the air felt charged and clean, raindrops still clinging to the walls. She’d gone solo. I told myself she wanted space, but the unease kept chewing at me.

Eventually, I snapped. I couldn’t sit still. I slipped through the palace, trailing her scent. The marble floors gave way to soggy grass and there, gardens spread out, moonlight pooling on everything.

And there she was.

By the fountain, fingertips drifting across the petals of those weird night-blooming roses. Moonlight painted her silver, hair loose, posture soft, and I swear she looked so peaceful I had to bite my tongue not to ruin it. My chest tightened. Just for a second, I let myself imagine what peace would feel like, no bond, no Mira, no claws sharpening behind every conversation.

Then the universe decided to sucker punch me.

There, a twitch in the shadows.

My instincts went ballistic. I caught the flash of a blade, just in time.

“Elora!”

I didn’t even think.

I just moved.

She turned, eyes huge, and right then the assassin dove out from behind a hedge. The dagger aimed for her heart. I barreled into her, sending her sprawling. Blade whooshed by, close enough to make my skin crawl.

The rogue landed hard, but he came up swinging, claws out. Pain exploded in my shoulder as he raked across it, but at that point? I just saw red.

Rage took over. I grabbed him, literally snarling. “You dare touch what’s mine?”

He spat blood. Eyes wild and shining, definitely a rogue, definitely hopped up on something, definitely not here by accident.

There’s no way a random killer makes it this far solo. Someone sent him.

That thought fueled me. I slammed his head into the stones till he stopped moving. Cold calm replaced the adrenaline. He wasn’t getting up again.

“Elora!”

Turned around and there she was still on the flagstones, hands clamped over her mouth, shaking. I was next to her in a second, checking for wounds, half panicking. “Did he touch you? Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, all shaky relief. “No… You were fast enough.”

I nearly collapsed with relief. Just for a breath, I thought I’d lost her.

But then the anger set in. This wasn’t just some rogue’s random job. Somebody wanted her gone.

“Elora.” My own voice startled me, sharp, colder than I had meant. Her hands are gripping her too tightly. “Get back to our rooms. Now. No debate.”

She hesitated, but my tone must have hit home. Nodded, hurried off. Didn’t look back.

Only once she’d vanished did I turn to the body. The dagger gleamed in the grass, its edge slick with something oily...poison.

The wolf hadn’t been after me. He came for her.

If Elora died, the whole pack would splinter. My authority is gone, just like that.

Who’s got the most to gain from that?

Mira.

That realization hit like a punch, the weeks of her whispering, doubting Elora, winding me up, all the while plotting to get her out of the way. Honestly, I almost laughed.

Then I saw it, a scrap of dark silk wrapped around the rogue’s arm, fancy embroidery, totally out of place. I’d seen that fabric. Mira’s entire room is draped in it.

Not a coincidence. Not a damn chance.

My blood legit froze in my veins.

I just stood there, staring. For what felt like forever. Anger is burning a hole right through me. Part of me wanted to burst into Mira’s room right then, drag her out by her stupid, perfect hair, and scream at her until she cracked. But there was always that other part of me. The icier, meaner side. The one that says, Don’t be stupid. She’ll wriggle loose, just like always. Mira’s a master of lies. She’d use my rage against me, flip the council, spin some pity story. I can practically hear the speeches: “You have proof? Or just a hunch?”

So I made myself stay calm. Choked down the urge to yell. Instead, I called in the guards. Tell them, real low-key, get rid of the rogue quietly, don’t ask questions. Oh, and not a peep about that piece of fabric I had found. No way. That’s staying with me, at least for now.

But standing there, with blood stinking up the air, I knew. I just...knew.

Mira did this. Mira tried to kill Elora.

And I...I nearly handed her the opportunity on a silver platter.

Sleep? Not happening tonight, thanks.

Elora’s right next to me, her breathing all gentle, steady, but I can feel the shake hiding underneath. She tried so hard to keep it together, brave little thing, but I know. I know she was scared. Crap, she could’ve died tonight. If I hadn't been following...

That thought? Twists my stomach. Makes me wanna punch something.

I’m just sitting in the dark, moonlight crawling over her face, my chest all knotted up. Don’t even wanna think about why it hurts. I tested her. Pushed her away. Treated her like some stranger, all because I let Mira whisper poison in my ear. And no matter what, Elora chose us. Choose the pack. Choose me. Every time.

And Mira…

Mira turned my head inside out. Had me doubting everybody, doubting her. Even now, I keep seeing that bit of silk burning in my brain. Mira, with her big pretty smile and those fake tears. All performances. Underneath it?

I was an idiot.

Dad’s voice...can’t even remember what he sounded like, but the words stick... Protect your brother. Protect your pack. Trust your Luna.

What did I do? The total opposite. Nearly blew up everything. Nearly got Elora killed.

My hands are all bunched up in the sheets.

I won’t doubt Elora again.

But I’m not stupid. No sudden moves. Mira’s too close, too smart, too fucking reckless. She’ll feel it if I flinch, go for the throat.

So I just lay there, still as I could, pretending to sleep next to my Luna.

Swearing, silently, this ends. That I’m done being played.

I’ll protect her now. For real.

And Mira?

She’s done.