chapter 32

Rowan's sharp eyes followed the servant until he disappeared around the corner.

A crimson tattoo.

Small enough to escape notice.

Large enough to identify him.

Crimson Fang.

His jaw tightened.

Someone had infiltrated Bloom Pack Palace.

The attack on Amelia was no coincidence.

Neither was the messenger arriving at Nightcrest only hours after Victor's appearance.

Everything had been planned.

Frank, who had silently entered behind Rowan, noticed his Alpha's expression.

"My Alpha?"

Without taking his eyes off the corridor, Rowan spoke quietly.

"Did you see him?"

Frank followed Rowan's gaze just in time to catch the servant's sleeve disappearing around the corner.

"The servant?"

"He bears the Crimson Fang mark."

Frank's expression darkened immediately.

"I'll have him arrested."

"No."

Frank frowned.

"My Alpha?"

"If you arrest him now, we'll only catch one pawn."

Rowan's silver eyes narrowed.

"I want the one giving the orders."

Frank immediately understood.

"I'll have him watched."

"Without him noticing."

Frank nodded before disappearing silently into the corridor.

Inside the room, Elsie remained beside her mother's bed.

Her father finally stood after several minutes of silence.

"You've changed."

Elsie looked up.

"Have I?"

Thomas smiled sadly.

"You stand taller."

"You look stronger."

"I had to become stronger."

Her answer wasn't bitter.

It was simply true.

Thomas lowered his head.

"I failed you."

Elsie closed her eyes briefly.

"I don't want to talk about the past today."

"No."

He nodded.

"Today is about your mother."

He looked at Amelia sleeping peacefully.

"She pushed me out of the way."

His voice broke.

"The blade was meant for me."

Elsie slowly reached for her father's trembling hand.

"Do they know who attacked you?"

Thomas shook his head.

"No."

"They escaped."

"Only one thing was left behind."

He reached into his pocket.

Carefully unfolding a cloth, he revealed a broken dagger.

Its handle was carved with a crimson wolf.

Rowan's expression remained calm.

Inside...

His suspicions became certainty.

Crimson Fang.

Again.

Later that evening...

Bloom Pack Palace was unusually quiet.

Warriors doubled their patrols while healers continued treating the wounded.

Rowan and Frank stood on one of the palace balconies overlooking the courtyard.

"The servant hasn't left the palace," Frank reported.

"Good."

"But..."

Frank hesitated.

"He's met with someone twice."

"Who?"

"We couldn't identify the person."

"They wore a cloak."

Rowan looked toward the moonlit gardens below.

"They're preparing something."

Frank folded his arms.

"Do you think Victor is here?"

"I think..."

Rowan answered slowly.

"...Victor wants us to believe he's elsewhere."

Elsewhere...

Hidden beneath the palace kitchens...

A narrow tunnel stretched beneath Bloom Pack.

The mysterious servant removed his apron and bowed respectfully.

Before him stood Victor.

"You've done well."

The servant smiled proudly.

"The poison worked exactly as planned."

Victor's eyes narrowed.

"Not well enough."

"She's still alive."

"The healer says she won't survive much longer."

Victor slowly nodded.

"Good."

He turned toward another figure standing in the shadows.

"You know what to do."

The figure stepped forward.

For the first time...

His face became visible.

Jessica.

She lowered her hood.

"When do I move?"

Victor smiled.

"Tomorrow."

"You'll create enough confusion that Rowan won't know who to save."

Jessica smiled back.

"And Elsie?"

Victor's voice became cold.

"Leave the Moonborn to me."

The next morning...

Elsie hadn't left her mother's bedside.

She gently wiped Amelia's forehead with a damp cloth while Rose, who had traveled with them, quietly helped the healers.

The room was peaceful.

Until Amelia's fingers suddenly twitched.

"Mother?"

Elsie leaned forward.

Her mother's breathing quickened.

Slowly...

Painfully...

Amelia opened her eyes.

They searched the room before finally settling on Elsie.

A weak smile appeared on her lips.

"My... little moon..."

Elsie's eyes filled with tears.

"I'm here."

Amelia struggled to lift her hand.

Elsie quickly held it.

"There... isn't much... time."

"Don't say that."

"Listen..."

Her mother's breathing became uneven.

"You were... only a few days old..."

Elsie's heart stopped.

"What?"

"I promised... someone..."

"...that I'd protect you..."

Rowan, who had just entered the room, froze.

Amelia's eyes shifted toward him.

"You know..."

She coughed violently.

"...don't you..."

Rowan slowly nodded.

"I do."

Elsie looked between them in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

Amelia's trembling fingers tightened around Elsie's hand.

"Your real mother..."

The room fell completely silent.

"...was my sister."

Elsie's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What...?"

Tears streamed down Amelia's face.

"She begged me..."

"...to save you..."

"...before they killed her."

Elsie's entire body went numb.

"No..."

Amelia nodded weakly.

"I raised you..."

"...because I loved you..."

"...not because you were mine..."

Another violent cough interrupted her.

Blood stained her lips.

"Mother!" Elsie cried.

Amelia looked at Rowan one final time.

"Protect her..."

"...no matter what..."

Then her body suddenly went limp.

"Healer!" Thomas shouted.

Several healers rushed forward immediately, pushing everyone back as they desperately tried to stabilize Amelia.

Elsie stood frozen.

Unable to move.

Unable to breathe.

Her mother...

Had just revealed that she wasn't her birth mother.

And before anyone could process the truth...

A deafening explosion shook the entire palace.

The floor trembled violently beneath their feet.

Smoke rose outside the window.

Frank's roar echoed through the halls.

"Enemy attack! Protect the Alpha and Luna!"