Chapter 4 — Natille’s POV

Nicole stayed beside me, silent tears sliding down her cheeks. Ronan turned away, fists clenched. And Navy’s soft sobs filled the space.

“Playing for sympathy again?”

Ronan’s voice cut the air, cold and sharp. His golden-green eyes locked on me, his wolf pacing just beneath the surface.

I leaned against the doorway. My body shook from exhaustion, my legs refusing to hold me steady. My wolf tucked its tail and whimpered inside, too beaten to rise.

“You didn’t mention these injuries earlier,” Ronan snapped, his tone edged with command.

I forced myself to meet his stare. My lungs felt tight, but I didn’t bow. Not this time.

“You didn’t give me the chance,” I said, keeping my voice even.

His jaw tightened, the muscles twitching. For a second, I thought he’d strike, but he only glared harder.

“You want to know how the guards at Moon Shadow made sure I understood my place?” My words came out calm, too calm.

Nicole gasped softly beside me, her hand clutched near her chest. Ronan didn’t speak. His shoulders stiffened, and his wolf pressed forward.

“They force-fed me water laced with wolfsbane,” I said. “Do you know what that does? It leaves you too weak to shift. Too fragile to heal.”

Navy tilted her head, her emerald eyes cool, calculating. She always listened. She never missed a thing.

“And the silver,” I went on. My fingers trembled, so I hid them in my sleeves. “Chains pressed into my skin every time I resisted. If I fought back, they punished others. Wolves who only ever showed me kindness.”

Nicole choked on a sob. Tears slipped down her cheeks. I didn’t look at her. My words weren’t for her.

“More manipulation,” Ronan growled. His wolf flared hot, filling the room. “Even now, you’re twisting things to gain sympathy.”

I almost laughed. Sympathy? No one here cared enough to give me that.

He stepped closer, his voice dropping like venom. “Let me guess. Even Florian believed you, didn’t he? More lies to pull him in?”

My heart stung at the name, but I didn’t show it. I straightened, chin high, though my body shook.

“You need to remember your place,” Ronan barked. “Florian belongs to Navy now. He’s not here for you.”

The words hit, heavy and cruel.

“You noticed my limp today,” I said, my voice low. I didn’t pause. “That limp happened four years ago.”

Confusion flashed in his eyes before his scowl deepened.

“You wouldn’t remember, would you?” My voice rose, sharp and unshaking. “You threw me down the marble stairs. Do you recall that? Because I do. Every single day.”

Navy’s breath hitched, dramatic and precise. Her pale fingers covered her lips, her eyes wide as if shocked. Too perfect. Always too perfect.

“That fall broke my wolf’s back leg,” I said, my words heavy. “That’s why she never healed. That limp is your reminder, Ronan.”

Nicole’s face went pale. Her wolf let out a soft, grief-filled whine. She couldn’t keep up with what she was hearing.

Ronan’s rage flared. His eyes burned, but guilt flickered deep behind them. Pride swallowed it whole.

“That’s enough,” he snarled, his wolf’s power flooding the space. He stepped forward, teeth clenched. “Don’t you dare—” His voice cracked. “Don’t you dare hurt Navy with these lies!”

Navy flinched. A small tremble passed over her shoulders, just enough to draw eyes. She played the victim so well.

I stared at them, my stomach turning. Disgust rolled through me.

“I’ll postpone meeting Elder,” I said flatly. My voice was hollow, stripped of all emotion.

Ronan froze, silent, his fury simmering. Nicole’s quiet sobs filled the air. Navy looked every bit the fragile doll she wanted them to see.

And me? I turned my back on all of them. My wolf lay still inside me, too broken to stir.

There would be no fight today.

Florian’s POV

Otis pressed hard against my skin, restless and angry. My hand clenched around the bottle I carried, the medicine sloshing inside.

I had come for Elder. Simple enough. Deliver the medicine, then leave.

But I froze in the shadows, watching what I should never have seen.

Natille’s voice cut through me, sharp as silver. Every word carried her pain. It was right there, in front of them, and none of them cared.

Otis growled deep, a low vibration that shook my bones. He hated this. The scent of her suffering clung to the air, bitter and raw.

Ronan lashed at her again, blind to everything. My jaw tightened. How could he not see it?

Wolfsbane. Silver chains. And then the truth about her limp. Ronan’s hand in breaking her wolf.

Otis clawed at me. My nails dug into the wooden frame. Why did no one stand at her side? Why was she alone in this?

Navy’s small whimper rang false. My teeth ground together. Rage burned hot, but I kept still, gripping the bottle tighter.

Then Natille turned and walked away. Weak, limping, yet leaving behind silence that felt like a storm.

Ronan’s glare snapped to me, molten and sharp.

“You’re here again?” His voice dripped with suspicion.

I didn’t flinch. My face stayed unreadable.

“Delivering medicine for Elder,” I said, clipped and steady.

He sneered. “And it had to be now?”

Otis snarled. His anger mirrored mine.

“If you’d like to explain to Elder,” I said flatly, “why she can’t have the medicine she asked for, then by all means.”

His shoulders tensed. He turned away, scowling, but I saw it. I had him.

For now.