Chapter 3

Before the body had completely withered into a husk, I stole a quick glance.

I hadn't gotten a clear look, but something about the pup seemed familiar.

I already had a sinking suspicion of who the pup was.

But when I reached the altar, the body was gone.

My heart dropped. I seized Damian by the collar and demanded answers.

"Where is the pup? What did you do with the body?"

Damian caught my hand and tried to soothe me. "The pup is dead. Nothing will bring him back.

"We'll tell everyone Nate died in an accident and hold a proper funeral. Then we'll put this behind us."

I wasn't listening to his excuses. I raised my voice and demanded again, "I asked you, where's the baby?"

Damian frowned, his tone suggesting I was being unreasonable. "I already told you to let this go. Stop dwelling on this. Do you really want to turn this into a public scandal?"

I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my voice from shaking with rage. "But that was an innocent life. You can't just sweep it under the rug."

"Then what do you want me to do? I'm heartbroken too, but right now I need to minimize the damage. That's my duty as the Alpha."

I shut out the rest of his hollow excuses.

I searched every inch of the altar and the surrounding area, but the dead pup was nowhere to be found.

Just when I was at a loss, I heard a pack of dogs barking nearby.

I followed the sound, step by step. Chloe scrambled to block my path.

"That area is full of vicious dogs. Don't go there."

I shoved her aside and pushed through the dense bushes.

What I saw made my blood run cold.

Several massive dogs were tearing greedily into the entrails of a pup. Their eyes glowed green, and saliva dripped from their razor-sharp fangs.

I stumbled back a few steps, shaking from head to toe.

Fury consumed me. I pointed at Serena and screamed, "How can you do this and not fear karma?"

Serena was unfazed. "Karma?

"If karma were real, the entire race would have been wiped out long ago."

She walked up to me and spoke in a voice only the two of us could hear.

"Watching your son die hurts, doesn't it? He had it coming."

My voice shook. "How could you do this? You have a son of your own."

But she threw her head back and laughed.

"My son carries pure Alpha blood. He's nothing like your little mongrel."

I nearly collapsed from anger.

But only one thought burned in my mind: I needed to find out who this pup really was.

I took a deep breath, forced myself to calm down, and said, "Fine. Let's hold a funeral for this pup. Bring the body out."

But Damian didn't move.

I stared at him, confused. He spoke first. "Crystal, you think I don't know what you're trying to do. The moment I bring that pup out, you'll have all the proof you need to report Chloe to the Werewolf Bureau.

"I saw through your little schemes a long time ago."

I almost laughed at the absurdity of it. Part of me wanted to tell them the truth right then and there.

"When did I ever say that pup was Nate?"

Damian blinked, then said, "Crystal, your grief has driven you over the edge. You're not thinking clearly anymore. I have to keep you with me, or you'll end up hurting someone."

He pulled out a rope and bound my wrists.

"Crystal, as long as you behave, you'll remain this pack's Luna."

"What are you doing? I'm not crazy! I'm not crazy!" The more I struggled, the tighter the ropes dug into my wrists.

"No, Crystal. You've lost it. I'll take good care of you."

Everyone insisted I was insane. Even Chloe ran up and kicked me.

She giggled. "Crazy lady, crazy lady! The crazy lady whose pup died!"

"Who told you my grandson was dead?"

A deep, commanding voice boomed from behind the crowd.

My parents stood behind the crowd, my son alive and well in my father's arms, surrounded by officers from the Werewolf Bureau.