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ROWENA MOONFANG POV

“I didn’t do it! Why won’t you believe me?” 

My hands kept shaking while I gripped the wet glass of the pack transport. Rain hammered down, so loud I could barely hear myself think. I caught a glimpse of Dean’s face inside, sharp and terrifying. Mud squelched under my feet. I shivered and screamed through the window. 

“Dean Blackwolf! Just let me talk!” 

The door crashed open. His huge hand clamped onto my arm, pain shot up to my shoulder, and he yanked me in. I stumbled and slammed against his chest, soaking his clean shirt with rain and mud. 

“Dean, I never sent those rogues to hurt Amara Winchester. I swear it wasn’t me!” 

His long fingers grabbed my chin, squeezing until it hurt. He bent down, voice rumbling and low, the kind that makes you feel small. 

“Do you love me that much, Rowena?” 

He smelled like wild woods, tobacco, and the thick scent of Alpha. 

“What?” 

My brain spun. Everyone in Moonhaven Pack already knew I was stupid for him. He was the Supreme Alpha, the whole world revolved around him…so why was he saying this now? 

His fingers traced up my face, soft but icy. He wiped the rain off my skin. For a moment, his gaze softened. Maybe he’d ask if I was cold, maybe he’d finally care. 

But then, his eyes bled a deep red. Suddenly, all his power pressed in, making the air heavy, hot. 

“Rowena, do you love me so much that you killed Amara?” 

My heart thudded wildly. I felt frozen, my body shaking, desperate for escape. He’d never been gentle, not once. Cruelty was just what he knew. 

“I didn’t want Amara to die!” 

“You lie. You paid those wolves. You told them to attack her in Bloodmoon Gathering Hall.” 

He wouldn’t let me speak, barely gave me air to breathe. He grabbed my dress and ripped it straight down. 

“Ah!” 

I screamed, he shoved me outside, and I hit the mud with a sick thud. Rain slapped my face. His voice cut through the storm from inside the car. 

“Rowena Moonfang, you’re the Moonfang Pack’s daughter. You tried to strip Amara’s dignity. Now look at yourself. How does it feel to have nothing left?” 

What? 

I stared up at him, stunned. He loomed high, wiping his fingers with a white cloth—so slow, so smug. 

“I’m tired now. Leave.” 

“Dean! Please, I really didn’t” 

“I’ll give you ten minutes to talk.” His eyes burned like coals. “If you kneel outside Blackwolf Alpha Manor all night, maybe I’ll listen tomorrow.” 

He slammed the door. The dirty cloth sailed out and landed right by my hand in the mud. 

I scooped it up, squeezed it, and watched his car disappear inside the fortress. The iron gates shut. 

My face must’ve been ghostly pale. I stood, then walked to the gates. Didn’t say a word, just dropped down to my knees. 

I knelt in the rain and mud. 

Not because I was guilty. Not because I’d hurt Amara. She was my friend. I was here for her, not for them. 

I needed those ten minutes. I wanted Dean to hear the truth.

My dress was torn to shreds, so I hugged myself, trying to cover up, but I held my back straight. I’m from Moonfang. I wouldn’t bend my spirit, not for anybody.

All night, the rain crashed down. I stayed there, desperate for my chance. I’d never admit to something I didn’t do. 

But would he listen? 

Would anyone ever believe me?

The rain got heavier. The night dragged endlessly and was black.

Finally, a dull sun crept up. I was still kneeling in the mud outside Blackwolf Moonkeep. My skin was blue, my legs numb, and everything aching.

Then I heard a loud grind. The iron gates edged open. Bobby Winchester walked out, Elder Pack Steward, grey hair, big umbrella, looking prim and severe. He tossed a thick coat my way.

My hands shook, grabbing it, wrapping myself up. My lips felt frozen, my voice barely a whisper. 

“I want to see the Supreme Alpha.” 

Bobby’s eyes were sharp as knives. 

“Alpha Dean says you’re ruining the pack grounds. He doesn’t ever want to see you again.” 

My shoulders trembled, but I tried to stay strong, even though my heart was falling apart.

I shut my eyes. Rain mixed with tears until I couldn’t tell which was which.

I looked at the old steward. “Mr Bobby, I didn’t hire those rogues. I couldn’t hurt Amara. You have no reason to hate me”

His anger boiled over. “Amara was my child! She was a good pack girl, never ran with anyone from Crimson Fang Tavern. But she died in that ugly place, hurt by those wolves.”

He edged closer. 

“We checked her moon phone. She messaged you right before. Said, ‘I’m at the Bloodmoon Gathering Hall. Rowena, where are you?”

He gripped his umbrella as if he could crush it. “You killed her because you wanted Alpha Dean. Because he loved her and not you. You’re wicked!” 

I had nothing left. Amara was his daughter, Dean’s mate choice. Me? Just a girl who loved the Alpha from a distance. Now, everyone calls me a monster.

“Leave, now,” Bobby said. “Alpha Dean has one more message.” 

I looked up, desperate. 

“He said, ' Why didn’t you die instead of her?” 

Pain slammed into my chest, sharp as a silver knife. My legs gave way. I tried to stand, stumbled, and collapsed right onto the hard road. Laughed, just a broken sound. 

Why didn’t you die instead? That’s how much he hated me.

Up in the fortress, Dean stood behind the glass window, dark robe wrapped tight, broad shoulders stiff. He watched me in the rain, eyes colder than winter.

“Alpha Dean, I told her everything. She’s leaving now,” Bobby said from the doorway.

Dean held a glass of blood-red drink and looked away from the road. His lips curled, voice rich with command.

“Tell Moonfang Pack: if they take Rowena back, I’ll destroy their land. If they want to survive, erase her name from the sacred lineage book.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Next, tell Lunar Crest Academy to wipe her files. Tell Silverfang Prep she was expelled for fighting. Make her record blank, no higher education.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“And last,” Dean’s voice dropped even colder. “Send her to Ironfang Prison Keep.”

Bobby flinched. “Alpha?”

“She pays for Amara’s death. Three years in rogue cages. You disagree, Bobby?”

Didn’t matter that there was no proof. Dean’s anger blew past any reason.

“No, Alpha. Thank you.” Bobby’s eyes watered. “If you didn’t act, her family would protect her. Thank you, Alpha Dean.”

Dean stared out the window. My tiny shape shrank away, disappearing down the pack road. He gripped his glass until it almost shattered, gulped that red liquid fast.

“I did it because Amara was my chosen girl,” Dean said quietly to the empty room.

I trudged back to Moonfang Lodge, so tired I could barely walk. 

The guards stopped me at the gate. The old family steward came out and read Dean’s orders. My family tossed me straight out. Never got to see my mother or father. Too frightened by Blackwolf threats.

I forced a smile, bitter and lonely. Iron gates rattled shut behind me. I was on my own now.

Right before I could leave, two big men in dark armour blocked my way. Shadow Fang Sentinels.

“Rowena Moonfang, you paid rogues to hurt Amara. You caused her death. You’re coming with us to the cells.”

Just then, a big black car rolled up. The window slid down. Dean Blackwolf stared out, judge and executioner.

I shook my head, eyes never leaving his.

“I never hurt her!” 

He stepped out, coming closer. I tried to hold myself tall in front of him, show I wasn’t afraid—even if my whole body trembled. He saw it all. No point hiding.