Chapter 20: Vivian's Desperate Alliance

"If Silas won't look at me because of that chubby witch, then I'll ally with the devil herself to tear her down from that throne."

Vivian slammed a sealed black letter onto the damp table inside Rowena's prison cell. The old woman lifted her head slowly, her chains rattling as she studied the visitor. A wicked smile crept across her face when she recognized Vivian.

"Well, well. Look who finally decided to visit the woman everyone has forgotten." Rowena leaned back against the cold stone wall. "Did the great Luna finally make you cry?"

Vivian's eyes flashed. "Don't start with me. I'm not here to listen to your insults."

"Then why are you here?" Rowena glanced at the letter. "Surely you haven't come to ask me how to win the Alpha's affection. Even I cannot help a woman who has already lost his heart."

Vivian clenched her fists. She had spent years trying to get Silas to notice her, only to watch him remove his mask and welcome Elara into his life.

"Silas has changed because of her," Vivian whispered bitterly. "He barely looks in my direction anymore. He lets her sit beside him, touch him, and give orders to the warriors. Everyone treats her like she's some kind of queen."

Rowena chuckled, though there was little humor in it. "She is his Luna. What did you expect?"

"She doesn't deserve that position!"

"Neither did I deserve to end up in chains, but here we are." Rowena lifted her wrists, displaying the iron cuffs. "You should have seen the way she looked at me when she exposed my crimes. That little witch has a talent for making people kneel."

Vivian stepped closer to the table. "I didn't come here to discuss what happened to you. I came because I know you still have connections outside this pack. You know how to reach Queen Selene."

At the mention of the queen, Rowena's smile disappeared. She studied Vivian carefully, searching her face for signs of a trap. "Be careful with that name. The walls have ears, and the wrong person could make sure you join me in this cell."

"That's why I came at night." Vivian pushed the letter toward her. "This is addressed to one of the queen's secret couriers. I need you to tell me how to get it delivered."

Rowena picked up the letter with her chained hands. The black wax seal carried a symbol she recognized immediately, a mark used by Selene's private messengers. Her eyes narrowed as she turned it over.

"You've been busy."

"I've been desperate." Vivian lowered her voice. "I thought Silas would eventually see what I could offer him. Instead, he gave everything to Elara. I won't stand aside while she takes the life that should have been mine."

Rowena examined her for another moment before giving a low laugh. "You think removing Elara will make Silas love you?"

"I think removing her will give me a chance."

"That is not the same thing."

Vivian slammed her palm against the table. "Can you help me or not?"

Rowena's expression hardened. "Direct force has failed. You cannot challenge Elara openly, and you certainly cannot defeat Silas while his strength is returning. But Queen Selene has resources that this pack knows nothing about. Her dark magic can reach places ordinary weapons cannot."

Vivian's anger gave way to interest. "What kind of magic?"

"The kind that doesn't need to kill its victim to destroy everything they are." Rowena leaned closer, lowering her voice. "There are objects that can carry corrupted magic. Once placed near the right person, they can weaken the mind, confuse memories, and turn even the strongest wolf against herself."

Vivian looked at the black letter again. "Can the queen give us one?"

"If she agrees, yes. But she will want something in return."

"Whatever she wants, I'll give it to her."

Rowena laughed softly. "You should be careful making promises to that woman. Selene doesn't help anyone without collecting her price."

Vivian ignored the warning. "Tell me what to do."

Rowena glanced toward the narrow cell door before speaking. "The pack assembly is approaching. Elara will be occupied with the warriors, the elders, and all the attention that comes with being Luna. That will be our opportunity."

"What do you have in mind?"

"A talisman." Rowena's eyes gleamed. "A corrupted one, carrying enough of Selene's magic to slip past ordinary protections. It must be placed inside Elara's personal chambers, somewhere she will encounter it without suspicion."

Vivian considered the plan. "Her guards search everyone who enters her rooms. How am I supposed to get something like that past them?"

"You're not going to walk through the front door carrying it in your hand." Rowena tapped one finger against the table. "Find a way to make it look like an ordinary gift or an assembly offering. Elara has become so comfortable with her new position that she may not suspect everyone around her."

Vivian's lips curved. "I can arrange that."

"Once the talisman is in place, the magic will begin its work. We won't need to confront her, and Silas won't have anyone to blame until it is too late."

A satisfied smile spread across Vivian's face. "And when she's no longer fit to be Luna?"

"Then the pack will start asking questions." Rowena's voice dropped to a whisper. "A Luna who cannot remember her duties cannot lead a pack. Silas may be powerful, but even he cannot ignore what the elders demand."

Vivian picked up the letter. "Then we'll make sure the elders see exactly what we want them to see."

Neither woman noticed the faint movement beyond the corner near the staircase.

Milo stood in the darkness, holding a folded bundle of clean cloth he had been ordered to deliver to the lower cells. He had come down quietly, intending to leave it outside the prisoner's door. But the moment he heard Vivian mention Elara, he stopped.

His silver wolf had awakened recently, and his hearing was far sharper than it had been when he worked in the kitchens. Every whispered word reached him clearly, from Rowena's mention of Queen Selene to Vivian's plan for the pack assembly.

He didn't move. He barely dared to breathe.

*They are planning to hurt Luna again.*

Milo's hands curled into fists. Silver light flickered beneath his skin, but he quickly forced it down. He remembered Elara telling him that protecting the pack required patience as well as courage. If he rushed into the cell now, Vivian and Rowena might deny everything or find a way to silence him.

He needed proof, and he needed to tell Silas and Elara before the talisman reached her chambers.

Inside the cell, Rowena reached beneath the loose lining of her prison blanket and withdrew a small object wrapped in black cloth. Vivian's eyes widened as the old woman placed it on the table.

"Where did you get that?"

"Some things are easier to keep hidden than others." Rowena carefully unfolded the cloth, revealing a dark talisman carved with strange symbols. "This is not fully awakened. The queen's courier will know how to activate it."

Vivian stared at it, fascination replacing her earlier impatience. "So this is what will finally bring Elara down?"

"If you follow the instructions and don't get careless." Rowena pushed the talisman toward her. "Remember, the queen must receive the letter. Do not attempt to use this without her approval."

Vivian wrapped her fingers around the object. A strange chill travelled up her arm, but she refused to let go. She had waited too long to surrender now.

Milo watched from the corner, memorizing every detail: the symbol on the talisman, the sealed letter, the names they had mentioned, and the timing of their plan. His silver wolf growled quietly inside him, urging him to act.

He took one careful step backward, making sure his boots didn't scrape against the stone. Then he turned toward the staircase, determined to reach the Alpha's chambers before the conspirators could discover they had been overheard.

Inside the cell, Vivian tucked the talisman beneath her cloak and looked at Rowena with a triumphant smile.

"Let them celebrate their little victories... by tomorrow night, that fat little Luna won't even remember her own name."