"We created it together," Sebastian confirmed. "Vivian became my eyes and ears in places I couldn't reach, and I protected her from Nightshade's suspicions."
"And you never told us," Maison said, hurt evident in his voice.
"I couldn't risk it," Vivian replied, regret clear in her expression. "The fewer who knew, the safer we all were. Nightshade has spies everywhere. If she had discovered our connection..."
"She would have used it against you both," I finished, understanding completely. Hadn't I lived my own life in secrecy for the same reason?
The assembly broke into murmurs, wolves processing this unexpected development with varying degrees of acceptance. Mated pairs were sacred among our kind—e
"We created it together," Sebastian confirmed. "Vivian became my eyes and ears in places I couldn't reach, and I protected her from Nightshade's suspicions.""And you never told us," Maison said, hurt evident in his voice."I couldn't risk it," Vivian replied, regret clear in her expression. "The fewer who knew, the safer we all were. Nightshade has spies everywhere. If she had discovered our connection...""She would have used it against you both," I finished, understanding completely. Hadn't I lived my own life in secrecy for the same reason?The assembly broke into murmurs, wolves processing this unexpected development with varying degrees of acceptance. Mated pairs were sacred among our kind—e
I watched him for a moment, his face relaxed in sleep, making him look even younger than his ten years. The weight of everything he'd endured and everything he'd escaped settled heavily on my shoulders. Nightshade had stolen his childhood, denied him his heritage, and used him for her own purposes. Yet somehow, his spirit remained unbroken.When I returned to the great hall, the formal Council meeting had dissolved into smaller strategy sessions. Maison stood with his father and several high-ranking Diamond warriors, deep in tactical discussions. Jacob and Uncle Mateo were huddled with representatives from allied packs, likely explaining the significance of the ritual we'd performed.Sebastian was nowhere to be seen, though his presence lingered like a shadow over the proceedings.
"Everyone's awake," she replied matter-of-factly, approaching us without hesitation. "The whole pack felt the magic." She stopped directly in front of Matthias, studying him with frank assessment. "You're the source. The new magic."Matthias met her gaze steadily, something in her direct approach seeming to put him at ease. "Part of it," he corrected. "My sister and your brother are the other parts."Lily nodded as if this made perfect sense. "You look tired. And hungry." She turned to Alpha Logan. "Father, they need food and rest before any Council meetings."I bit back a smile at her authoritative tone. Though young, she already carried herself with the confidence of her bloodline. Alpha Logan's expression softened with affection for his daughter."Quite right, little one," Alpha Logan said, trying not to smile.“Come, I’ll have a room made up for him in the Alpha suite, and I’m sure Maison and you would like to get some rest in your own. Don’t worry, you’ll be across the hall from
The Stone's surface cleared, the images fading back into swirling patterns of light. I stood trembling, tears streaming down my face as the truth settled into my bones. My little brother hadn't died with our parents—he'd been born into captivity, raised by the same monster who had orchestrated our family's destruction."Ten years," I whispered. "He's been with her for ten years."Maison's arm tightened around me, his voice rough with emotion. "We'll find him, Marabelle. I swear it."Uncle Mateo approached the Stone cautiously, his expression haunted. "The Stone showed us this for a reason. It must be part of what we need to know to perform the protection ritual.""Or to make it stronger," Jacob suggested, his tactical mind cle
I sat in stunned silence, processing this revelation. It painted Thomas in an even more monstrous light—not just a traitor to his Alpha, but a murderer of his own family for simply showing compassion."So Thomas killed his own family because his son found a mate he didn't approve of?" The horror in my voice was palpable.Jacob nodded grimly. "I believe so. I found evidence that Sarah had been helping Marcus meet with Annabelle in secret. She'd created alibis for him, covered his absences. Their daughters likely knew as well—they were close.""And Thomas discovered this.""Yes, though I didn't realize it at the time." Jacob's expression darkened. "When I reported back to your father that Sarah seemed to be protecting a secret rather than betraying the pack, he relaxed his suspicions. We both missed the real threat.""Thomas," I breathed."Thomas had already aligned with Viktor and Nightshade by then. When he discovered his son's 'weakness,' as he would have seen it, it provided him wit
"The Elder Council," Jackson interrupted, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "At least one member may have been supporting Viktor and Thomas from the shadows."The implications were staggering. The Elder Council was the highest authority in the supernatural world, comprised of the oldest and most powerful beings from various species, including werewolves, vampires, fae, and others whose existence remained largely hidden from humans."That's... that's impossible," Maison breathed, shock evident in his voice. "The Elders are sworn to neutrality in pack matters."Jackson's expression remained grim. "Tell that to the rogue who's singing like a canary in the holding cells. He claims Thomas received ancient texts and magical artifacts and whispers of other high-ranking pack members who may have survived that night, that your family was killed. It appears your father may have had more than one traitor in his pack, just as we did.”I felt my blood run cold. "What do you mean? Who e