THE BEGINNING

Elaris's POV

The room is empty of him.

Elaris stands on the edge of the table staring at the place where Caedmon had stood.

Their words to her still echo in her skull.

The note was not the end. It all, he said, was only the beginning.

Averic is several paces away.

He hasn't moved from where he stood when he'd first read the note.

The parchment is crushed in his grip.

Elaris watches him narrowly.

She has seen Averic angry.

She has seen him so angry that a handful of warriors had been sent to his chambers at sword point to remind him of his place.

This is something different.

Something colder coils in his grip, making her heart pound in her ribs.

It is worse than the storm of his temper when he'd left her chamber.

It makes her feel as if she might lose her balance.

Finally, he eases his grip.

"We were looking in the wrong place."

Elaris turns her head sharply to stare at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Inside these walls."

He turns his gaze toward the corridor.

"We thought the enemy wanted my mother dead.

Then we thought they wanted your child gone.

Maybe they want both since both are obstacles..."

Elaris feels something cold coil in her belly.

"To what?"

Averic doesn't immediately answer.

He stares toward the ceiling, the floor, the very walls around them as if they might swallow him whole.

"To the throne."

Averic moves immediately, going to the chamber door and barking orders.

"Get the nearest guards.

I want every record concerning Virelle and Caedmon brought to me."

The warriors exchange glances.

"Everything, Alpha?"

"Everything.

Visitor logs.

Messenger records.

Servant assignments.

Healer inventories.

Any correspondence entering or leaving these walls by the eastern gate.

All correspondence entering or leaving by the western gates.

Council requests.

Private petitions.

Travel records..."

He pauses, then adds grimly, "Nothing is to be burned.

Nothing returned to its original location.

Bring the records to the restricted archives."

One of the warriors bows.

"Yes, Alpha."

Averic gestures to another.

"You take six men to Virelle's old chambers.

Search everything.

I want every name, every visitor record, every correspondence."

He turns to the last remaining guard.

"And those who served directly under their employ?"

"Separate them before questioning.

I want all statements given individually."

Elaris watches as the men leave the chamber with hurried steps.

Averic turns back to her.

"No one outside this room knows why we are searching."

The warriors incline their heads.

Averic's expression darkens.

"If word of this gets out before we uncover the plot, every record we retrieve will be removed before sunrise."

The guards leave at once.

Elaris turns toward the corridor.

"I want to return to Maevra's chamber."

Averic nods.

"Then let us go."

They fall into step beside each other as they walk the length of the corridor.

Neither speaks for several long minutes.

The silence between them is different from before.

It is not filled with accusations or anger.

It is filled with... something else.

When they reach the medical wing, it is Averic who speaks.

"You should not have had to fight so hard to be heard."

Elaris continues walking.

"No.

I know that.

It does not make it any better."

He watches her face as he walks beside her.

"I know that.

It does not make me any less sorry."

She looks at him, surprised.

There is nothing defensive in his expression.

It unsettles her more than if he'd tried to shield himself.

He does not ask for anything.

Does not demand she forgive him.

He is only sorry.

When they reach Maevra's chamber, it is Averic who steps aside.

"You should go in first."

Elaris enters the room, finding it much calmer than before.

The tension that had crackled from the healers' movements was gone.

Harwin stood beside Maevra, holding a small vial.

Elaris moves to her side.

"How is she?"

Harwin gives a careful answer.

"Better than she was an hour ago."

Elaris exhales in relief.

"Better?

Has the decline stopped?"

Averic moves to stand beside her.

"It has.

We caught the tainted medicine before it could be administered a second time.

That is good.

But..."

Harwin hesitates.

"The poison had already done its work.

Her body is giving out.

We can keep her alive and rid her system of the toxin, but we cannot force her to recover."

Elaris moves to sit on the edge of the bed.

She takes Maevra's hand, noting how cool it is.

It is not as tight as before, but there is still strength in the pressure of her fingers.

Elaris says softly, "You heard that, didn't you?"

Maevra does not answer at first.

Elaris smiles to herself.

"You're stubborn enough to prove them wrong."

Harwin allows himself a small smile.

"That stubbornness has kept her alive longer than most medicines."

Averic stands at the foot of the bed.

For the first time since arriving, something close to hopefulness flickers in his expression.

It is small, fragile even, but it is there.

A movement from the bed catches Elaris's attention.

She leans forward.

"Maevra?"

The older woman's eyelids flutter.

Harwin moves closer.

"Don't force her to speak."

But Maevra's eyes are open, taking in the room.

They finally settle on Elaris.

Recognition seems to dawn.

Elaris takes Maevra's hand in both of hers.

"I'm here.

I'm right here."

Maevra's lips part.

Elaris strains to hear the words.

"Protect..."

Her voice is so quiet Elaris almost misses it.

"Protect the child."

Maevra's eyes slip shut.

Elaris watches as her fingers twitch feebly against her grip.

"Promise..." Her eyelids flutter again.

"Promise me."

"Of course." Elaris's throat tightens.

"Of course, I will."

Maevra's eyes open.

She looks from Elaris to Averic.

Her fingers tighten feebly around Elaris's hand.

Averic watches her closely.

"Promise..."

"I promise.

I promise I will protect her." Elaris's voice wavers.

Maevra's expression eases.

She closes her eyes again.

Harwin checks her pulse.

"She needs rest.

I'll take the next shift."

Elaris remains where she is, her fingers curled around Maevra's hand.

The words repeat over and over in her head.

Protect the child.

It is no longer an order from a fevered woman.

It is a promise Elaris intends to keep.

The healers file out of the chamber, leaving Elaris and Averic alone with Maevra.

Averic finally speaks.

"I should have believed you."

Elaris looks at him.

His voice is quiet.

"I don't mean I should have believed you eventually.

I should have believed you when you first told me something was wrong.

When you brought me the evidence.

When you warned me."

Elaris says nothing.

Averic looks at her closely.

"You should have been able to trust me to listen when you were trying to warn me.

You kept coming to me, warning me, bringing me proof, and I doubted you.

I questioned your every word while you were trying to protect my mother.

I was wrong to do that.

There is no excuse."

Elaris looks at Maevra.

"I needed you to believe me before she reached this state.

I needed you to understand that the attacks on her were not random.

They were meant to weaken her before the blood moon gathering."

"I know.

"And I needed you to believe me before I was forced to keep defending you while everyone else treated me as a murderer.

I know that, too." Averic's jaw tightens.

Elaris looks at him, considering his words.

"I don't know if I can forgive you yet.

Averic nods.

“I didn’t ask you to.”

The answer seems to surprise her.

He does not move to embrace her.

Does not ask for her forgiveness.

He simply listens.

For the first time, Elaris realizes that maybe rebuilding what they have will not begin with Averic asking for her forgiveness.

Perhaps it might begin with him accepting the burden of his mistake.

Elaris stiffens suddenly.

A movement from within her belly has her inhaling sharply.

The baby kicks again, this time with more force.

Elaris places a hand over her stomach.

Averic looks up sharply.

"What is it?"

"The baby.

It is just... it is strong."

Averic looks at her closely.

Elaris hesitates, then reaches for his hand, pressing it against her stomach.

Averic goes still.

The baby moves again, this time stronger, and Averic's expression darkens.

Elaris watches his face.

"The child is healthy, isn't it?"

"You don't know that it's a boy."

Averic looks at her, his lips twitching.

"I know.

Another kick.

Averic's fingers flex slightly.

Elaris does not remove his hand.

For several long moments, neither of them speak.

There are no accusations, no defenses, no demands.

Only the small movement of life beneath his palm.

Averic looks down at her stomach.

"I won't let them take you.

Even if they come for the child...

I won't let them take you.

Elaris hears his words.

She does not answer, only watches his face.

A sudden knock at the door has Averic removing his hand at once.

"Alpha," one of the guards says.

Elaris looks up as the man enters the room.

Averic turns to him sharply.

"What news do you bring?"

The guard holds out several bundles of parchment.

"These came from Virelle's chambers.

Elaris watches as Averic looks through the bundles.

They contain visitor logs, supply manifests, names, dates.

Finally, the guard offers him a folded strip of parchment.

"This was hidden behind the writing desk in a false panel."

Averic takes it, frowning as he unfolds it.

It is not complete.

Several lines have been crossed out, but the rest of the message is clear.

Averic reads it carefully, his face growing darker with each word.

"...the outer packs..."

He looks up sharply.

"...before the blood moon gathering..."

Elaris leans forward.

"What does it say?"

Averic looks at the words again, then offers the strip of parchment to Elaris.

It is written in Virelle's hand.

"...when the Alpha line is weakened..." Elaris reads the final line aloud.

"The packs will listen."

She looks up at Averic's face.

"To whom?"

Averic takes the strip of parchment from her.

"That is what we are going to find out.

Averic looks at the message again, then at the visitor logs.

He finally looks up at Elaris's face.

"The attacks on your mother and mine are meant to weaken both of our Alpha lines before the blood moon gathering."

Elaris's stomach tightens.

"They want the packs to believe the heir is illegitimate.

"The attacks on my mother and yours have to do with the child." Averic says quietly.

"They want the packs to think she has no claim to the throne.

Elaris looks at him closely.

"If they want the packs to believe that, isn't it already happening?"

"They believe the heir is forbidden.

They believe the child has no claim to either of our thrones.

They will listen when the Alpha lines fall.

All it will take is an excuse for the packs to unite under one banner.

Averic looks at the message in his hand.

"The blood moon gathering is the perfect opportunity.

Representatives from the outer packs will be here.

The Alpha lines will have to declare their heirs in front of them.

Alliances will be forged, disputes settled, and rivalries declared before the packs convene." Elaris's eyes narrow.

The rivalries are why “Maevra’s death creates instability.”

they can challenge Averic's claim to the throne.

"And if something were to happen to Maevra before then?" Elaris asks quietly.

The council would be divided.

If the pack challenged Averic's claim to the throne..." Elaris looks down at the message in Averic's hand.

"And if everyone believes the heir is illegitimate?"

Averic's expression darkens.

"They won't have to kill me in open combat.

They only have to convince the packs that I am unworthy of leading our people."

Elaris watches him closely.

This was not just about Maevra or her mother.

It was about succession.

Someone was trying to manipulate the packs into believing Averic was unworthy of the throne.

Elaris moves to the window, looking out over the palace grounds.

They were all but swallowed by darkness.

The torches along the walls cast long shadows over the cobbled stones.

For the first time, the familiar sight and smell did not comfort her.

"How many outer packs are there?" Elaris asked.

"Seven major territories.

Elaris turns to regard him carefully.

"And they all attend the blood moon gathering?"

"Their Alphas or representatives."

Elaris looks over her shoulder.

"If they hear about Maevra dying in their territory, what will they do?"

"Rumors will spread.

"And if they hear about me losing control of the palace?

Some will question my authority.

"If they hear the heir is forbidden by pack law..." Averic's expression hardens.

"Then some will think challenging me is the right thing to do.

Elaris touches her stomach.

The baby moves again, and she realizes something horrifying.

The packs did not have to unite to kill them.

They only had to convince enough wolves that the Alpha line had been tainted and that the heir had no claim to either throne.

"And if they convince enough wolves?" Elaris asked quietly.

"Then we will have a war." Averic's voice is grim.

The words seem to suck the warmth from the chamber.

Elaris looks toward Maevra, who lay unconscious beneath the blankets.

The woman did not know that her illness was only part of a much larger scheme to overthrow the Alpha lines.

Elaris whispered, "Then we cannot wait for them to strike first...

Averic meets her eyes.

"No.

Averic turns toward the guards.

"Wake the private messengers.

The first to receive the message must be the three northern loyalists.

Then the eastern packs.

Tell them nothing of Caedmon or Virelle.

They are to know only that the Alpha line remains intact, that the Luna is under the care of the healers, and that no unauthorized delegation may enter the palace before the blood moon gathering." The guard nods, repeating the message back to Averic.

"Wake the private messengers.

Use different riders for each territory.

No messenger knows the full content of the message." The second guard bows.

Elaris looks toward the window.

More guards were already taking up positions along the walls.

The palace did not yet know to prepare.

There would be no alarm from the council.

No decree from the pack.

But Elaris could see it happening.

Doors were being opened.

Messengers sent.

Weapons checked.

The pack was preparing for war.

Elaris looks toward Maevra's sleeping form.

Her fingers twitch feebly in Elaris's grip.

It would not be long before someone else tried to kill her.

Averic turns toward the guards again.

"Double the guard around Maevra's chamber.

Yes, Alpha," one replied.

"And Elaris.

The second guard hesitates before he speaks.

"Elaris is never to be left alone in the palace.

She will always have at least two trusted guards.

The guards should change regularly enough that no one knows her schedule." Elaris raises an eyebrow at him.

“You’re putting me under guard.”I'm keeping someone from reaching you."

"That is not the same thing.

I know that, too." Averic turns toward the window.

Outside the palace walls, more guards took up positions.

No one yet knew to watch the main doors, but Elaris did.

It was not long before someone would come for them.

Late that night, the palace fell eerily quiet.

Elaris sat beside Maevra while Averic worked in the adjoining study.

The healers had finally left her alone, allowing Maevra to sleep without constant interruptions.

Elaris watched her for several long minutes before hurrying footsteps sounded in the corridor.

The door to the chamber opened, and two guards entered.

"Alpha," one of them said.

Averic set aside the papers he had been studying.

"What is it?"

"We received a message.

It was delivered at the outer gates.

Whose messenger was it?" The guard hesitated.

"It was not ours.

Averic turned to him.

"Bring it to me.

The warrior unsheathed a dagger and cut the seal on the message.

The wax bore the imprint of a black thorn.

"Blackthorn," Averic muttered.

One of the outer packs.

Averic watches the man's face as he cuts the seal.

Elaris looks at Averic's face.

"One of the outer territories?

"The strongest.

Averic scanned the message, his expression darkening with each word.

Elaris steps forward.

"What does it say?" Averic hands the message to Elaris, who reads it carefully.

Her stomach twists at the sight of Virelle's familiar writing.

It seemed that Averic had already lost his wolf.

Maevra was dying.

Elaris's unborn child was the result of a forbidden bond, and no pack would accept him as their heir.

Her fingers trembled as she reached the end of the message.

"...come at the blood moon.

A final line was scrawled beneath it.

"...the throne will be empty.

Elaris lowered the message slowly.

"They already know.

Averic's gaze is on the wax seal.

"No.

"They don't just know.

They've been invited.

Outside the palace walls, another Alpha has been waiting.

It was the perfect time to strike.

Elaris looks at Averic's face.

"Did you know?" Averic's jaw tightens.

"No.

But someone made sure they knew.

Someone made sure they would be waiting.

The blood moon gathering would be the perfect opportunity to kill Maevra and me and declare war on both our packs.

Avery is already beginning to change, becoming more powerful.

The new Alpha has been waiting for this moment, too.

It would be much easier to kill me now, when I am distracted by Maevra's illness.

It seemed that someone wanted to kill them both.

"Who sent it?" Elaris asked quietly.

Averic's grip tightens around the message.

"They'll be waiting for us at the gathering.

"Who sent it?" Elaris repeated.

"They sent it to me.

"The packs.

"Who sent it?

"The packs.

"No one.

It was delivered at the outer gates.

No one knows who sent it or where it came from.

Elaris looks at Averic closely.

"Did you know?" Averic's jaw tightens.

"No.

But someone made sure they knew.

Someone made sure they would be waiting.

The blood moon gathering would be the perfect opportunity to kill Maevra and me and declare war on both our packs.

Avery is already beginning to change, becoming more powerful.

The new Alpha has been waiting for this moment, too.

It would be much easier to kill me now, when I am distracted by Maevra's illness.

It seemed that someone wanted to kill them both.

"Who sent it?" Elaris asked quietly.

Averic's grip tightens around the message.

"They'll be waiting for us at the gathering.