MasukLiam pov "It's not," Isla says. "It's just hard, it requires actually examining your motives, admitting your flaws, changing your behavior. Most people aren't willing to do that work.""Are you?" I ask, curious despite my misery."I'm working on it," Isla says honestly. "I enabled a lot of your behavior with Penelope. I knew you were manipulating her but didn't speak up because I didn't want a pack drama. That makes me complicit.""You're speaking up now," I point out."Because she's gone and I don't have to worry about losing her friendship," Isla says. "Which is cowardly. I should have said something months ago.""Would I have listened?" I ask."Probably not," Isla admits. "But I should have tried."We sit in silence for a moment. Downstairs, the party continues. Music, laughter, the pack celebrating their strength."The pack's been asking about you," Isla says finally. "Wondering why you're not at the party.""Tell them I'm sick," I say. "Not feeling social.""Tell them yourself,"
Liam's POVThe whiskey tastes terrible but I pour another glass anyway, sitting alone in my apartment while the pack house buzzes with activity below. Someone's throwing a party, celebrating our latest hockey win. I should be down there, leading the celebration like a good Alpha heir.Instead, I'm up here, drinking and thinking about Penelope.My phone lights up with another news alert. Timothy Blackthorn's divorce finalized. Alpha Blackthorn removed from power. Investigation reveals multiple false accusations.I scroll through the article, seeing Penelope's name mentioned repeatedly. Her father's exoneration, her role in exposing the corruption, her completed mate bond with Timothy.I should be happy for her. She got everything she wanted—justice for her family, her true mate, respect from the pack.Instead, I just feel empty.A knock on my door interrupts my pity party. "Go away," I call out."Not a chance," Isla's voice comes through. "Open up, Liam. We need to talk."I consider ig
Penelope pov "Don't diminish it," my father says. "Standing up to an Alpha, especially your own father, takes strength most wolves don't have. Be proud of that."Timothy looks uncomfortable with the praise but nods."So what's the plan?" Daniel asks. "For the trial, I mean. How do we coordinate?""We'll each give our testimony," my father says. "Tell our stories honestly, completely. Show the pattern of false accusations, the systematic destruction of families who threatened his power.""The prosecutors will prep us," Rebecca adds. "They'll ask questions, guide the narrative. But the core story is ours.""And afterward?" James asks. "After the trial? What happens to the pack?""That depends on the outcome," Timothy says. "If my father's convicted, he'll go to prison. Ethan will likely remain as temporary Alpha until a proper challenge can be arranged.""Will you challenge?" Catherine asks. "You're the heir. The pack expects it.""I don't know," Timothy admits. "Part of me wants to. I
Penelope's POVThe Reed family's house is bigger than I expected, a sprawling ranch-style home on the outskirts of Frostfang territory. Cars fill the driveway when Timothy and I arrive—we're the last ones here."Are you ready for this?" Timothy asks, cutting the engine."Not really," I admit. "Meeting three families your father destroyed? Hearing their stories? That sounds awful.""It is awful," Timothy says, taking my hand. "But necessary. We need to stand together if we're going to take him down properly.""I know," I squeeze his hand. "Let's go."Catherine Reed opens the door before we can knock. She's a small woman in her fifties with kind eyes and graying hair pulled back in a bun."Timothy, Penelope," she says warmly. "Come in. Everyone's in the living room."We follow her inside. The living room is packed—my parents on one couch, a couple I don't recognize on another, and three more people in chairs. All eyes turn to us when we enter."Everyone," Catherine says. "This is Timoth
Timothy pov "Son of a bitch," I breathe, taking the report from her. The evidence is right there in black and white—forged signatures, planted evidence, paid witnesses. "He destroyed all those families?""Systematically," Mr Hale says, his voice hard. "Over fifteen years. We weren't the first and we weren't the last. He just got better at covering his tracks.""This changes everything," I say, my mind racing. "It's not just embezzlement anymore. It's conspiracy, fraud, abuse of power on a massive scale.""Which means stronger charges," Penelope says. "Longer prison time. And now more families have reasons to want him gone.""The pack can't ignore this," Marina adds. "Even his loyalists will have trouble defending multiple frame-ups. One family, they can write off as political maneuvering. Four families is a pattern of corruption.""We need to reach out," I say, already planning. "Contact the other families, unite them. Present a united front against him.""Already done," Mr Hale says
Timothy's POVThe divorce papers feel heavier than they should when I pick them up from my lawyer's office. Three weeks of negotiations, arguments, and threats from the Wintermoon brothers, all condensed into twenty pages of legal language that end my marriage."You're sure about this?" James Carr asks from behind his desk. He's been our family lawyer for twenty years, knew me when I was a kid. "Once you sign, there's no going back.""I've never been more sure of anything," I say, grabbing the pen he offers. "Where do I sign?"He shows me. I sign my name six times, each signature feeling like breaking chains. When I finish, I push the papers back across the desk."Done," I say. "Now what?""Now we file with the court," James says, organizing the pages. "Sophia already signed her copy. Since it's uncontested, the judge should approve it within the week. Then you're officially divorced.""Good," I lean back in the chair. "What about the Wintermoon brothers? Can they still cause problems
Penelope pov He leaves, I slam the door behind him and lock it. The deadbolt slides home with a click that echoes too loud. Then I slide down to the floor, my back against the wood, and finally let myself shake.The tremors start in my hands and spread through my whole body. My teeth chatter. My
Penelope's POVPractice that morning is torture.Every time I look at Liam across the ice, my stomach turns over itself. He keeps trying to catch my eye. I refuse to look at him, focusing instead on the scrape of my blades against the ice, the burn in my thighs."Focus, Hale!" Coach Reeves barks. "
Penelope's POVThe crystal chandeliers in the Bloodfang territorial hall shine bright across the polished marble floor. I smooth down my dress for the third time, wishing I'd chosen something less formal. Liam's hand rests on my lower back as he guides me through the crowd of dignitaries and pack o
Penelope's POVI can't sleep.The grainy image from the community rink burns behind my eyelids every time I close them. That figure in the stands. The timing. Ten months ago."We need to stop obsessing," Lyra says, but her tone lacks conviction."Something's wrong." I sit up in bed and grab my lapt







