LOGIN“There is no mark on your neck.” The words struck harder than any blow. I glared at them, my vision turning, the world shrinking to the bastards before me. “What have you done?!” I growled, my wolf pushing forward, her presence slipping through the cracks in my control. “What have I done?” Elara asked mildly, glancing around the council in feigned confusion. “I merely pointed out the most obvious flaw in your fabrication.” My stomach dropped. I swallowed hard. My skin burned, heat crawling beneath it, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure the entire arena could hear it. My mark was gone. Cassian was gone. I dragged in a breath—then another—forcing the tears back. I would not give them that. I would not break. Not here. Not in front of them. “You are an imposter,” Vérin declared coldly. “A lying woman who infiltrated this pack, falsely claiming to be the Alpha’s mate.” My head shook on its own, my body trembling despite my efforts. “That’s a lie,” I whispered. The words fe
I had to survive this trial no matter what. Mrs Alanna said they were hoping for exile or execution. I couldn’t let that happen. “Proceed with the trial then.” I ordered, my voice deathly calm. “Since you won’t provide my mate, then get to it.” The guards beside me stiffened, one of the elders—lady Vérin I think—growled lowly, insulted by my order. Good. I wasn’t going to go down without a fight or dignity. “Natalia, daughter of the late Beta,” Vérin began. “You stand accused of impersonating the Luna.”My wolf stirred at the mention of my father, but I didn’t give them the reaction they hoped for. The air was heavy, thick with anticipation and something uglier—hunger.“Impersonating?” I arched a brow. “That’s new.” The game plan was simple. Control my wolf and my powers, argue my case, get to Cassian. “You claim a bond you do not rightfully hold,” Jarek added smoothly. “You influence the Alpha in ways that have endangered the pack.”I let out a quiet breath, steadying my wolf
Talia’s POVI didn't know how much time passed, didn't know when night fell and when the sun rose. Time didn't move in the cell.I couldn't sleep, couldn't blink. Every time I closed my eyes, everything replayed.My wolf was on edge, pacing restlessly inside me. I could feel her unease, sharp and frantic, like claws scraping against my skin. I feared for her—feared for myself.The hurt that had weighed me down was slowly dulling, fading into something darker, heavier. It didn't disappear.It transformed.Transformed into a growing thirst for vengeance. I pushed those feelings down. Now wasn't the time for vengeance. I needed to get out of this situation, to contact Nicole. He was the only one who could really help me. I was pulled from my thoughts by the scrape of metal against stone. The sound of footsteps followed.It was time. Light flooded the cell, harsh and blinding. I lifted a hand to shield my eyes, blinking rapidly as my vision adjusted. Boots stepped in—two guards, then
Talia's POV The room was cold, bare, lifeless. I sat on the stone floor with my back against the wall, my head pounding, my throat raw, my body drained in a way that went deeper than exhaustion. It felt like something had been ripped out of me and left to bleed. I'd been dragged here like a criminal. I could still see it—feel it. The way their hands clamped around my arms roughly. Could still hear the murmurs that followed us down the corridor. Could see the curiosity, the judgment, the satisfaction. The council hadn't even tried to hide it. And Melissa... goddess, the victory on her face had been worse than the shackles they hadn't bothered using. She'd watched like this was something she'd waited for. I'd kept my chin up. Shoulders squared. Even when my chest tightened until each breath burned. Even when my limbs trembled with every step, my wolf whimpering quietly in the back of my mind, confused and hurting. I hadn't given them the satisfaction of seeing me break. But now,
Talia's POV Pain was the first thing I felt. A pounding, relentless ache split through my skull, like something was trying to claw its way out from behind my eyes. I groaned, squeezing them shut tighter, but the pressure only intensified. My temples throbbed in time with my heartbeat. A strong feeling of nausea hit me. Then the voice came. ‘Talia—please’ I froze. Nicole. His voice wasn't coming from the room. It wasn't a sound at all, or a mindlink—not really. It was inside my head, it was strained and urgent, like he was shouting through water. ‘If you’re hearing this… Kira escaped. She has a powerful relic. Watch out’ he said quickly. The pain spiked viciously. "Stop," I whispered hoarsely, clutching my head. "Nicole—wait—" But the connection shattered before I could really grasp it. The words were like fragments, fragments I couldn’t understand. Powerful relic. Kira. Be careful. My breathing turned shallow. My body felt wrong—heavy, sluggish, like I'
Nicole’s POV We walked for what felt like hours. The forest blurred into an endless stretch of trees and shadows, my legs aching, my patience wearing thin. I glanced at my companion for what had to be the hundredth time that night. “You said you knew the way?” I asked. It came out sharper than I intended—more accusation than question. He didn’t even slow down. Just shrugged, hands buried in his jacket like this was a casual midnight stroll and not a desperate escape. “I know a way.” I scoffed. “That’s not what you said.” He shot me a sideways look but kept moving. “You’re still alive, aren’t you?” “We’ve been at this for too long,” I snapped, finally stopping. My boots crunched against dried leaves. “You know where I’m from” he opened his mouth to deny it but I wasn’t having it. “Don’t even bother with the denial. How long until we reach the pack?” He stopped too. Turned fully this time, his eyes dark, calculating. There was a pause, a pause too long. “How long,” I repeated,







