Mag-log inTalia’s POVShock rippled through the room. I rushed to Derek's side, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Were you bitten? Did any of them bite you?" I questioned. I could feel Della’s eyes on us as her father was covered in blood. She was attempting to maintain her composure as Beta, but I could practically feel her panic.Derek shook his head and said, "No. This blood... It's not mine. It's from the others. The warriors who fell."I was relieved but felt guilty, as that meant there were warriors who did not make it."Take a break and then explain clearly, Beta Derek," Solon commanded, striding over.Derek wiped blood from his face. "Our scouts reported seeing rogues, which wasn’t unusual. Then, they were attacked on their way back. They were mad rogues. Warriors were bitten and turned within minutes. They breached the gate.”The room erupted in panic. Lunas were wailing, and Alphas were prepping themselves for a fight. Solon held up my hand, demanding silence. “Quiet,” he Alpha c
Talia’s POVThe next day gray clouds hung low over Silverfang, making it feel like the Moon Goddess was mourning with us. I stood in front of my mirror, studying my reflection. My hair was pulled back in a bun. I wore the Rosecrest with a simple, black gown. Nolan came in quietly and closed the door with a soft click. He wore a black suit, which made his eyes look even more intense."Are you okay?” he asked.I shook my head. "No, but I will be.”Nolan turned me gently to face him. His thumbs brushed against my collarbone in small, soothing circles. "Talia, you don’t have to be strong in front of me.”I looked up at him and saw concern in every line of his face. I wanted to lean into him and let him hold me until the pain faded. But there was no time. Lately, there never seemed to be enough time.“I can’t,” I told him, “because if I let myself now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to pull myself back together.”Nolan studied me for a short moment before nodding. "I already double-checked
Talia’s POVHalf an hour later, we went to Father’s office. Solon, Leslie, Derek, Marco, and two Elders were waiting for us. As soon as Solon saw us, he stood up and said, “Before we have this conversation, I want you to know that Father told Nolan to do it. He didn’t want to, but father made him promise. He-”“It’s okay, Solon. I know.”Relief immediately softened his expression. “You read Father’s letter, didn’t you?”“I did.” I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. “So don’t worry about me. And I’m not upset that you kept it from me.”Solon was left speechless. I could see the emotions warring behind his eyes: relief, confusion, and embarrassment. Finally, he just sat back down.I sat down at the head of the table with Solon sitting next to me. “I’ll get straight to the point. I brought you all here to decide what to do next. But first, what happened after I left with Jason? How did my father go insane like that?”No one spoke first. All eyes were on Leslie, who was stari
Talia’s POVNolan looked awful. He had dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn’t slept in days. The scratches I left on his neck were covered with bandages. Nolan had stayed in that chair by my bed the whole time I was unconscious, and seeing him there made me feel so guilty that I had to look away.‘He will forgive us,’ my wolf reassured me.‘I don’t deserve forgiveness for hurting him like this,’ I said, and then noticed an envelope on the table next to the bed. My father’s handwriting was on the front.I picked it up with shaking hands and opened it.Talia,If you are reading this, I have died by Jason’s trickery. I knew from the start that something was wrong when Jason offered you the potions. He is just like his father. Michael coveted Silverfang's power, and I suspected Jason felt the same. With my death, I was right.Do not blame Nolan. I asked him to end my life if the potion made me lose control. He didn’t want to. He fought me, but I made him promise because there was no
Talia’s POVMy wolf howled within me as grief and rage consumed me, as I felt my father’s aura vanish as his blood pooled around him on the floor.I lunged into the room for Nolan. I slammed hard into him. His back struck the wall, knocking the air out of him. I clawed at him, ripping the flesh of his neck and chest. Nolan brought his hands up defensively to keep me from tearing his neck out, but he did not try to fight me.“Talia, stop! Stop!”Solon grabbed my waist to pull me off Nolan. I threw my head back and hit his face, making him let go with a curse. I pushed him away. Leslie was shouting, but I couldn’t make out her words. I hit Nolan again, and he still didn’t defend himself.“Why? Why, Nolan?!” I screamed. “Why did you do it? Explain now!”“Talia, I…”“Tell me why,” I screamed and swung at him again.Nolan caught my wrists and held them. He didn’t fight back, but pulled me against his chest. I fought him, but he didn’t let go.“Let go of me! Let go, you bastard! You murdere
Talia’s POVMarco brought Jason to the border in a convoy of five of our vehicles, each one filled with elite warriors except for Jason’s seat. We came in a different car with Father. Leslie had set him up with a portable IV and a reclining chair. Solon and Nolan were in the front. I sat in the back with Father and held his hand the entire ride.We got out at the border of Silverfang territory. Jason was already standing outside his vehicle, surrounded by the elite warriors. He looked calm and relaxed as if this were just a normal routine. Jason saw Father in the chair, and he smiled.“He looks great. Really. The picture of health,” Jason mocked. “You sure you want to waste a potion on him? He looks like he might not make it through the next hour, let alone the day.”“Shut up, Jason,” Solon said.“I’m just saying. The dormant potion knocks him out for what, twelve hours? Twenty-four? You all keep telling yourselves he’ll wake up, but I’m not so sure. A man in his shape goes to sleep,







