LOGINAria’s POV - Five Days LaterThe High Council investigators arrived with less fanfare than expected.Three wolves. Two men, one woman. All wearing the neutral gray of High Council officials. All carrying the weight of authority that came with their position.They weren’t here to take sides. They were here to find truth.That should have been comforting.It wasn’t.“Former Luna Aria Wynter,” the lead investigator—a stern woman named Magistrate Verin—gestured to the seat across from her. “Please sit.”We were in a private chamber. Just me, the three investigators, and a scribe recording everything.No Kade. No Elders. No Riven.Just me and my testimony.“You understand you’re under oath?” Verin asked.“Yes.”“And you understand that providing false testimony to a High Council investigation carries severe penalties?”“Yes.”“Then let’s begin.” She opened a folder. “Tell me, in your own words, about your relationship with Claire Blackwell.”I took a breath and started from the beginning.
Riven’s POVThe merchant was harder to find than expected.By the time we tracked him down to a small shop three districts away, it was past midnight. The shop was closed, windows dark.I knocked anyway. Hard enough to wake the dead.After several minutes, a light flickered inside. The door cracked open, revealing a middle-aged man with suspicious eyes.“We’re closed.”“I know. This isn’t about buying anything.” I pulled out the pouch of gold Kade had given me. “This is about testimony. About Claire Blackwell.”His face went carefully blank. “Don’t know anyone by that name.”“Yes, you do. You sold her drugs. Qing’s Mist, specifically. Dreamroot derivative, moon orchid extract, silver sage.” I held up the pouch. “We’re not here to arrest you. We’re here to offer you immunity and protection in exchange for truthful testimony.”“Immunity from what?”“From prosecution for selling controlled substances. From any retaliation from Shadowmere Pack.” I jingled the pouch. “Plus five hundred gol
Aria’s POVThe formal meeting was held in the great hall, arranged like a tribunal.The five Elders sat at the high table. Kade stood to one side, flanked by his remaining advisors. Dominic Thorne sat opposite with his own contingent—not just warriors, but what looked like legal counsel and witnesses of his own.This wasn’t a diplomatic discussion.This was a trial.Riven and I were positioned to the side, not quite participants, not quite observers. Witnesses waiting to be called.“This session is convened,” Elder Cassius announced, “to address the grievances brought by Alpha Dominic Thorne of the Shadowmere Pack regarding the execution of Claire Blackwell and alleged violations of inter-pack protocol.”Dominic stood, commanding attention effortlessly.“Honored Elders, I appreciate your willingness to hear my concerns. This matter is grave—not just for our two packs, but for the integrity of inter-pack law itself.”He spoke for twenty minutes. Eloquent, measured, building his case pi
Kade’s POVThe reply came that evening.Kade,We’re coming back. But only to provide testimony and truth about what happened with Claire. We will not be taking on responsibilities, participating in negotiations, or staying beyond what’s absolutely necessary.We’ll arrive tomorrow evening. Please inform Dominic and the Elders that we’re willing to speak at the formal meeting, but nothing more.This is our boundary. Please respect it.- Aria and RivenI read it to the Elders.“They’re setting terms,” Elder Dorian said. “Unusual for former pack members.”“They’re not pack members anymore,” I corrected. “They left. Voluntarily. They’re coming back as a favor, not an obligation.”“Will Dominic accept testimony from wolves with no current pack standing?” Elder Maren asked.“He’ll have to. They’re the primary witnesses to Claire’s crimes. Their testimony is crucial.” I set down the letter. “And honestly? I’m relieved they’re willing to come at all. I half-expected them to refuse.”“Do you th
Aria’s POVThe second letter arrived the next morning.I knew what it was before opening it. Knew by the way Riven’s face went carefully blank when he took it from the messenger.“It’s from Kade,” he said, handing it to me. “Marked urgent. Again.”I broke the seal and read:Aria and Riven,The situation has escalated faster than anticipated.Dominic Thorne isn’t just here for a diplomatic meeting. He’s demanding recompense for Claire’s execution—financial compensation, formal acknowledgment that we violated protocol, and a binding alliance between our packs.The alliance would be formalized through arranged mating bonds between Blood Fang and Shadowmere families.If we refuse, he’s threatened to take this to the High Council. They would investigate not just Claire’s execution, but the mate bond fraud, everything. I could lose my position as Alpha. The pack could lose standing with the other territories.The Elders are trying to negotiate, but Dominic holds all the leverage.I’m not as
Kade’s POV Dominic Thorne arrived with an entourage. Not a small diplomatic party. A full contingent of twenty warriors, all in Shadowmere colors, all armed. A show of force. I stood with the Elders at the main gates as they approached. Dominic himself was exactly as Riven had described—tall, powerfully built, with the unmistakable presence of an Alpha who’d never doubted his authority. He dismounted smoothly and approached with confident strides. “Alpha Kade. Thank you for receiving me on such short notice.” “Alpha Dominic. Welcome to Blood Fang territory.” I kept my voice neutral. “Though I admit, the size of your party is… unexpected for a diplomatic meeting.” “Security. These are uncertain times.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m sure you understand.” “Of course.” I gestured toward the mansion. “The Elders are prepared to meet with you. Shall we?” We moved into the formal conference room—the same one where Claire’s trial had been held weeks ago. The symbolism wasn’
Aria's POVThe door to my room closed with the same soft finality as every other door in this house, like it was apologizing for trapping me.I didn’t bother turning on the lamp. The heavy burgundy drapes had swallowed the harsh sunlight and only tiny rays were peeking through the drapes. I crossed
Aria’s POVA week dragged by since the hospital discharged me into a pack house that felt more like a prison than a home.They dumped me straight into a room they swore had always been mine; but no familiarity hit me. Just soaring ceilings, thick burgundy drapes choking out the light, a four-poster
Claire’s POVI pushed the door shut behind me. The click felt final, like the last nail in a coffin we hadn’t quite finished building.Kade was already at the bar cart, back to me, pouring whiskey with the kind of deliberate slowness that meant he was holding himself together by threads. He tipped
Aria’s POVThe twenty-four hours had slipped away like sand through clenched fingers.The lock turned and the door opened. A guard stepped aside without meeting my eyes.Claire entered first, heels clicking like small, triumphant gunshots on the hardwood. Her emerald silk dress, cut to command atte







