Chapter 4

The word hung in the air between us like a blade.

"But I have never even heard of Mortwert until right now."

"I know that. But your studies with me over the years, your work learning about herbs for your Luna duties, it is all documented. Anyone looking at the records would see that you have extensive herbal knowledge."

Understanding crashed over me like ice water. "If Sienna loses the baby and they find Mortwert in her system"

"Everyone will suspect the jealous, barren Luna who has motive and knowledge." Mira gripped my shoulders. "Aria, I think you are being set up. I think Kael is planning to frame you for murdering his child."

No. No no no.

This could not be happening.

"What do I do?" My voice came out small and terrified.

"We gather evidence. We prove what Kael is doing. And we”

A knock on the door made us both jump.

Mira quickly hid the herb pouch in a drawer and opened the door.

Gamma Thorne stood there. Face grim. Two guards behind him.

"Luna Aria," he said formally. "Alpha Kael requests your presence in his office. Immediately."

"What is this about?" Mira demanded.

"The Alpha will explain."

I looked at Mira. She gave the tiniest shake of her head. A warning.

But I had no choice. I went with Thorne, the guards flanking me like I was already a prisoner.

The walk to Kael's office felt like walking to an execution.

Kael was waiting behind his desk. Face serious. Hands folded.

"Sit down, Aria."

I sat. The guards remained by the door. Thorne stood behind me.

"I have been thinking about the gathering this afternoon," Kael said. "About the announcement."

"Mira said Sienna needs rest"

"Mira is being overcautious. Sienna will be fine for a few hours." He leaned forward. "But I wanted to speak with you first. To make sure we are on the same page."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I know this situation is difficult for you. Sienna carrying my child when you cannot. But I need to trust that you will not do anything foolish."

My hands curled into fists. "Foolish like what?"

"Like trying to hurt Sienna. Or the baby. Out of jealousy or spite or whatever emotion you are feeling."

I stood up so fast my chair fell over. "How dare you. I would never hurt a pregnant woman or an innocent child. What kind of monster do you think I am?"

"Sit. Down." Alpha command in his voice. Forcing my body to obey even though I wanted to run.

I sat. Shaking with rage.

"I have guards watching you," Kael said calmly. "Every moment. Every movement. So if you are planning anything, anything at all that might harm Sienna or my child, you should know that I will find out. And I will make sure you suffer consequences you cannot imagine."

"I am not planning anything."

"Good." He smiled. Cold. Calculating. "Then we understand each other. You will attend the gathering. You will stand beside me and Sienna. You will smile and be gracious. And you will not cause any problems. Are we clear?"

"Perfectly clear, Alpha."

"Excellent. You may go."

I left his office feeling like I had just escaped a predator's jaws. Barely.

I found Elena in the training grounds and told her everything. Every word Kael said. Every threat hidden in his perfect Alpha mask.

She listened without interrupting. When I finished, her face was carved from stone.

"He is setting you up," she said. "Everything Mira suspected is true. He is poisoning Sienna, planning to blame you.

"What do I do?"

"We move up the escape. Tonight. Before the gathering. Before whatever he has planned happens."

"But the new moon"

"Forget the new moon. We go tonight or we might not get another chance."

Hope and terror warred in my chest. "Can we make it?"

"We have to try."

We spent the rest of the morning preparing. Elena gathered supplies. I packed my escape bag with shaking hands. Mira gave me emergency medicines and herbs for the journey.

The plan was simple. During the gathering when everyone was distracted, I would slip away. Elena would meet me at the northern border. We would run and not stop until we reached friendly territory.

It had to work. It had to.

But as the afternoon approached and pack members started gathering in the great hall, my sense of dread grew stronger.

Something was wrong. Something was coming.

I could feel it like a storm building on the horizon.

And I had no idea that in just a few hours, my entire world would explode.

That the trap Kael set would spring.

That Sienna would collapse in front of everyone.

That blood would pool on the great hall floor.

That the baby would die.

And that I would be dragged away in chains, accused of murder, with every single piece of evidence pointing to me.

The countdown had reached zero.

And I was about to lose everything.