Chapter 3

I never imagined everything that happened at Moon Plaza would spread through the Black Wolf pack overnight, twisted and exaggerated at every turn.

By the bonfire, near the animal pens, and even out in the fields, I heard the other werewolves whispering about it everywhere I went.

Some said Rex had never acted in self-defense at all, and that he had always hated Miles and struck out on purpose.

Others guessed that since I'd used my blood to confess, there had to have been some hidden grudge between Rex and Miles. Why else would things have gotten so out of hand?

My mother, Dorothy Anderson, overheard these rumors while out picking wild berries. She was so upset that she nearly collapsed in the grass right there.

Even when we hid inside our stone house, covering our ears and closing our eyes, those malicious whispers always found a way in.

…

After Mom woke up, she kept frowning with worry etched all over her face. "If Rex hears those things out in the Frozen Wastes, how will he ever get through it?"

I didn't know what to say. My throat felt tight, and I couldn't find the words to defend myself or Rex.

But the next day, word still reached Rex. The news came from one of the patrols in the Frozen Wastes.

Rex used a shard of ice to cut his throat out there in the endless cold.

When we got the news, Mom and I ran to the edge of the Frozen Wastes like we'd lost our minds.

By the time we arrived, Rex's blood had already stained the snow deep red.

I was shaking all over. "Why didn't you call for a healer to help him?"

The werewolf guarding the wastes looked away in shame. "I heard Ella's pregnancy isn't stable. Alpha Kellen summoned every last healer in the pack to treat her. He said no one else mattered until Ella's pup was safe."

A cold wave crashed through my heart. "There are ten healers in the whole Black Wolf pack. Ella couldn't possibly need that many. This is too much!"

No one answered.

Another guard sighed. "Maybe you should try something else."

The werewolf who was putting pressure on Rex's wound just shook his head. "He's lost too much blood. He can't hold on much longer."

My breath caught sharply, and then I spun around to run for the Black Wolf pack. "I'm going to Kellen. I'll beg him to send a healer to help Rex!"

But as soon as I took a step, Rex grabbed my wrist. His grip was tight, but his breaths were getting weaker and weaker.

I quickly turned back and held his hand. "Don't get worked up. I'll save you, I promise. Just trust me, okay?"

Rex slowly opened his eyes, his gaze cloudy as he struggled to look at me. He managed to lift his hand, brushing my cheek with what little strength he had left.

His lips moved like he had so much to say.

A werewolf pulled his blanket aside just a bit. "He doesn't have much time. Say what you need to."

My vision blurred, and my ears were ringing. I could barely hear anything at all.

The other werewolves quietly stepped back, giving us a moment of privacy.

Mom, pale as a ghost, leaned in close, tears barely held at bay. "Rex, what is it? I'm listening."

His voice was so faint, the wind nearly carried it away, but every word landed like a stone in my chest.

"Lilith, don't go begging Kellen for me. I just want you and Mom to be okay… Nothing is more important than that.

"Mom, just like we talked about, take Lilith and leave the Black Wolf pack."

"Yes, yes, I know," Mom sobbed, clutching his hand as her tears fell.

"Then… I can go in peace…" Rex's voice faded until the last words were barely a whisper, swept away by the cold wind.

His hand slipped from my cheek, slowly losing all strength.

On instinct, I grabbed his hand and clutched it in both of mine, as if holding on tight enough could keep him from slipping away forever.

Grief swallowed Mom and me, cutting through us like the winter wind.

I had no idea how much time passed before Mom finally took a shaky breath. She gripped my hand, her voice trembling but full of resolve as she said, "Lilith, let's bring Rex home."