(Eliza's POV)"I want you to arrange for some men to go back to the Northern Territory ahead of us," I explained carefully. "They shouldn't enter the Morgan Estate, just wander around it."Elder Morgan's eyebrows rose in confusion. "What a strange request. Why would you want that?"I hesitated, uncertain how to explain my foreknowledge without revealing my rebirth. How could I tell her that Katherine planned to fake her death through self-immolation?"I can't explain completely just yet," I admitted. "But I have reason to believe there might be... trouble awaiting our arrival."Elder Morgan studied me intently, her sharp eyes missing nothing. "You're being deliberately vague, Liza."I nodded, meeting her gaze directly. "I'm asking for your trust, Grandmother. I promise I'll explain everything when I can."She leaned back, her face unreadable as she considered my unusual request. The carriage rocked gently beneath us as we traveled through the Northern Territory wilderness."You
(Eliza's POV)I looked up at the sky above the Morgan Estate. Thick smoke billowed from the backyard, firelight illuminating half the sky.*"Katherine, you finally couldn't resist making this move,"* I thought coldly.William's face changed drastically as he heard the commotion. "Kathy!" he cried out, his voice breaking with desperation.He rushed into the house like a madman, shoving past servants who were beginning to gather. Victoria's face drained of color as her knees buckled.Ivy hesitated beside me, uncertain whether to stay with me or help Victoria. Her eyes darted frequently between us, torn by conflicting loyalties.I stood still, my expression carefully neutral, like a statue. In my past life, I had immediately stepped forward to support Victoria, only to be shoved away in disgust.This time, I naturally wouldn't make a fool of myself.Victoria gave me a complicated look before hurrying inside. "Kathy, don't scare Mother..." she cried, her voice breaking.James's fa
(Eliza's POV)"Why wasn't it you who died!?"The question hung in the air between us, heavy with hatred and accusation. Elder Morgan stiffened beside me, but I placed a gentle hand on her arm, silently asking her not to interfere.I replied, my voice steady despite the tension in the air, "Why should it have been me?"William's face twisted with rage. His hand trembled in the air, stopped before it could strike me."You..." he sputtered. "How dare you speak to me that way!"I met his gaze without flinching. For the first time, I questioned why I should feel guilty for Katherine's supposed death."I'll ask again," I said firmly. "Why should it have been me who died instead of Katherine?"Tears burned at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not in front of them.William stepped forward menacingly. "You ungrateful little—" His hand flew toward my face. I braced for the impact.But the blow never landed.Elder Morgan moved with surprising speed. She caught William's wrist
(Eliza's POV)I knelt before my grandmother, Elder Morgan's piercing gaze heavy upon me. Her trust wavered, the question hanging between us like a physical thing."How did you know, Eliza?" she pressed, her voice hard with suspicion. "How could you possibly predict Katherine's self-immolation?"The truth of my rebirth burned inside me, but I couldn't speak it aloud. Who would believe such a fantastical tale?"I can't explain everything now," I admitted, keeping my eyes downcast. "But I swear I'll tell you when the time is right."Elder Morgan's skepticism was palpable. "You expect me to trust you while you keep secrets?""I understand your doubts," I said softly. "But I need you to believe that everything I do is to protect our family's reputation."Her eyes narrowed, studying me with renewed intensity."Please, Grandmother," I continued, "I'm not keeping secrets out of disrespect. Some things are simply too complicated to explain without proof."Elder Morgan tapped her finger
(Eliza's POV)Morning light filtered through the curtains as I lay awake, contemplating yesterday's events. The image of Katherine's "suicide" kept replaying in my mind. I knew without a doubt that she had faked her death and escaped through the back gate with Alexander Hayes's guards.Someone within the Morgan Pack had to be helping her. The timing was too perfect, the execution too flawless for Katherine to have managed it alone.I sat up, running my fingers through my tangled hair. Unlike my previous life, where I'd spent nights shivering in that dilapidated shack, I now enjoyed the comfort of my grandmother's wing of the estate. The familiar scent of moonlight herbs permeated the air, providing a sense of security I hadn't felt in years.My wolf stirred inside me, content and relaxed despite the dangers lurking around us. In my past life, she had been constantly on edge, weakened by rejection and mistreatment.A soft knock interrupted my thoughts."Miss Eliza?" Ivy's voice ca
(Eliza's POV)The letter opener was still wet with William's blood as I watched him stagger backward. His face twisted in shock, his hand clutching the wound."You stabbed me," he gasped, staring at the crimson stain spreading across his white mourning clothes.I struggled to breathe, my throat burning where his fingers had pressed moments before. Each inhale sent fire through my bruised windpipe."So," I wheezed, my voice raspy, "you're allowed to try to kill me, but I'm not allowed to fight back?"I let out a cold laugh that hurt my damaged throat."William, if you miss Katherine so much, why don't you join her?" I taunted. "Maybe she's waiting for you in the afterlife."My eyes blazed with hatred I'd never shown in my previous life. Back then, I'd been too desperate for acceptance.William's face contorted with fury. Blood dripped from his fingers onto the floor as he lunged toward me again."You ungrateful bitch!" he roared.I was prepared this time. I ducked under his ar
(Victoria's POV)I approached slowly, my eyes drawn to the dark bruises circling her neck. The sight sent an unexpected pang through my chest.Five fingerprints marked her pale skin. The bruised purple marks almost covered her entire neck! If she hadn't resisted, she might have been in real danger!I stepped back, composing myself. "I find it hard to believe William could be so cruel."Eliza's expression cooled. "People show different faces to those they love versus those they hate, Mother.""He was just trying to teach you a lesson," I insisted. "Katherine died because of your return.""I understand grief," Eliza replied quietly. "But grief doesn't justify attempted murder."I flinched at her bluntness. "He wouldn't have killed you.""He was squeezing the life from me when I stabbed him," she said, her hand rising to her throat. "Several elderly women witnessed what happened."Her calm certainty unsettled me."Do you truly feel no remorse for Katherine's death?" I demanded.
(Elder Morgan's POV)Several elderly attendants knelt silently in the corridor. Eliza Morgan also knelt among them, the shocking wounds on her neck making my heart ache.I acknowledged Eliza's courage in confronting William with the letter opener. My eyes softened with pride at her resilience despite the terrible circumstances."Does it still pain you?" I asked, gently examining the marks."Less than yesterday, Grandmother," she answered, her voice still raspy. "The salve Nanny Edwards provided has helped."I studied my granddaughter's face. Despite William's hatred, Victoria's coldness, and James's indifference, she remained unbroken."You showed great courage confronting William," I told her firmly. "A lesser woman would have surrendered to his rage."(Elder Morgan's POV)Eliza suddenly slid from her chair to kneel before me. The unexpected movement startled me and the attendants alike."Grandmother, I beg you," she pleaded, head bowed low. "Please save Ivy's life."Her voi
(Katherine's POV)I watched Zachary storm away, his broad shoulders rigid with anger. The moment the door slammed behind him, I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand, my expression going blank.These tears had served their purpose. Now I needed to focus.The winter banquet at The Night Princess's Manor wasn't just about social prestige or petty revenge against Eliza. It was my only chance to see Alpha Alexander, to coordinate our next move.I paced the room, my mind racing. Without an invitation, I would be cut off from my most powerful ally. Everything we had planned would fall apart."That bitch," I muttered, clenching my fists until my nails bit into my palms. "She knows exactly what she's doing."I stopped before the mirror, studying my reflection. The face that looked back at me was beautiful but haunted, the eyes calculating despite the redness from my manufactured tears.Gritting my teeth, I made a silent vow. "Eliza Morgan, if you refuse to give me this opportunit
(Elder Morgan's POV)Mistress Dennis bit her tongue, clearly struggling to maintain her composure after my direct insults. Her face had turned an interesting shade of red, a mixture of embarrassment and barely contained rage.But it was her sons who couldn't restrain themselves. The eldest—a burly man with his mother's features—stepped forward, his face contorted with indignation."Mother, it's only right for us to come back and serve you, but my mother—"I slammed my hand against the table, the sound echoing through Green Pine Sanctuary like a thunderclap. Everyone flinched, including Victoria and Katherine who stood at the back of the room."Who do you call mother?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the sudden silence. "Outrageous!"I turned my glare to Donna, who had gone pale beneath her rouge. "Mistress Dennis, is this how you raised your sons? To address me as if I were some common pack member?"Without waiting for her response, I snapped my fingers. "Nanny Edwards!"M
(Zachary's POV)I watched as William's face contorted with rage. Eliza's words had struck him like a physical blow, leaving him trembling with fury.His knuckles turned white as he gripped the armrests of his wheelchair. For a moment, I thought he might actually launch himself at her, legless or not."You—" he began, his voice shaking with barely contained violence.Katherine quickly placed her hand over his, her touch gentle but firm. "William, please," she whispered, her eyes wide with what looked like genuine fear.I frowned, studying her reaction. Something wasn't right. Katherine had always been confident, even arrogant, in her position within the Morgan pack. This new timidity seemed out of character."Young Master Morgan, don't be like this," she continued softly. "Liza didn't actually say anything wrong. It's my own guilt toward her."William's jaw clenched, but he remained silent, allowing Katherine to continue."After all, I occupied her place all these years. Seeing
(Eliza's POV)"Let's wait and see, brother." I stopped and turned, meeting William's threat with unflinching resolve.My amber eyes locked with his, cold as ice under the estate lights. The hatred in his gaze was palpable, but I refused to be intimidated. Not anymore.William's jaw clenched, his fingers digging into the armrests of his wheelchair. The silent challenge between us stretched, neither willing to back down.I had endured too much at his hands to show weakness now. Let him plot and scheme—I was no longer the helpless girl he once tormented.(Zachary's POV)I watched the silent confrontation from the doorway of the War Room, unable to look away. There was something compelling about Eliza Morgan's quiet defiance.She stood straight-backed and dignified, facing William without a trace of fear. This was not the timid, broken creature I'd expected after hearing the rumors of her wilderness upbringing.Despite my loyalty to Katherine, I couldn't help but admire Eliza's com
(Eliza's POV)A wave of revulsion washed over me as I walked toward the Morgan Estate War Room. It felt as if I'd swallowed something foul, the bitter taste lingering on my tongue. I knew perfectly well that Zachary Wilson's heart belonged entirely to Katherine. The thought of my grandmother and my disappointing father continuing this foolish meddling made my stomach churn."Sparrow," I instructed coolly, "go to Wolfstar Hall for me. I need you to retrieve my embroidered handkerchief."My loyal maid nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss Eliza. I'll be quick."I paused outside the War Room door, steeling myself for whatever awaited me inside. Father's invitation had been unexpected, and I'd spent the morning preparing for the worst.When I finally entered, I found dinner already laid out—venison, roasted vegetables, and moonlight wine. The spread was impressive, but my appetite vanished instantly when I saw who else was present.Victoria was nowhere in sight. Instead, Zachary Wilson sat at
(Eliza's POV)The Moonlit Barge Tavern bustled with activity as Nanny Winters settled our bill. I watched her count out the coins—nearly two hundred dollars for a single meal—and felt a strange pang in my chest. In my previous life, such an amount would have been unimaginable."Is something wrong, Miss Eliza?" Sparrow asked, noticing my expression.I shook my head. "It's nothing. Just thinking about the cost."Nanny Winters tucked her coin purse away. "It's a reasonable price for the quality, Miss Eliza. No need to worry.""Miss Eliza, this is nothing," Sparrow said enthusiastically. "For the sons and daughters of prominent pack families, a single meal costing $500, $1000, even $10,000 is normal."I raised my eyebrows. "That much for a single meal?"Sparrow nodded vigorously. "Oh yes! The wealthy packs spare no expense when it comes to dining."I glanced around the tavern, taking in the elegant decor, the attentive staff, the satisfied patrons. A business idea began to form in
(Eliza's POV)I stared at the bracelet in disbelief, my fingers hovering over its surface. The last time I'd seen this bracelet, it had been broken during my desperate escape on Evergreen Mountain. Now it lay before me, whole again."You fixed it?" I repeated, unable to mask my surprise.Alpha Daniel's expression remained impassive as he watched me. "Not just fixed. Improved."He reached across the table and picked up the bracelet, holding it between his thumb and forefinger."The original thread inside was weak. I replaced it with tempered steel wire."I blinked, trying to process his words. Why would the fearsome Alpha Daniel, the territory's Chief Justice, bother with such a trivial task?"May I?" he asked, gesturing toward my wrist.I hesitated before extending my arm across the table. His fingers were surprisingly gentle as he slipped the bracelet onto my wrist, though I couldn't help but notice the contrast between his large hand and my slender wrist."Try to break it,"
(Eliza's POV)The stranger's words hung in the air between us, his enigmatic smile doing nothing to ease my suspicion. My hand remained firmly on the hidden dagger in my sleeve as I studied him."Someone who shares my interest in justice?" I repeated skeptically. "And who might that be?"Before he could answer, Sparrow stepped between us, her small frame vibrating with protective fury."How dare you!" she shouted, throwing a wild punch that the man easily dodged. "Where did this madman come from, daring to block our Miss Eliza's way? Our Miss Eliza is not someone who can be seen by anyone who wants to!"I suppressed a smile at her fierce loyalty, though her outburst was drawing unwanted attention.Nanny Winters moved with surprising speed for her age, drawing a knife from the carriage and fixing the stranger with a deadly glare."Go away!" she commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument.The man seemed unperturbed by their hostility, taking only two steps back while maint
(Katherine's POV)I stared at my reflection while my maid arranged my hair. Ruby Pearson's name still stung in my mind."Tell me more about her relationship with my brother," I said calmly.The maid's hands trembled. "I shouldn't speak of such things, Miss Katherine.""I insist." My eyes locked with hers in the mirror."They were very close. The Young Master relied on her during his recovery.""How close?" I gripped my dressing table's edge."She was often in his chambers late into the night. Sometimes servants whispered that he would call her by your name."The brush in my hand snapped. I looked at the broken pieces, feeling just as shattered inside."Is it okay to ask this? The older brother favors a maid who looks like his younger sister. Isn't this shameful?" I could see the thought in her eyes, poorly hidden beneath her respectful face."Leave me," I whispered.As soon as she left, my composure crumbled. William had replaced me with someone who looked like me. Was I so