Chapter 4

I shot up. "What the hell are you doing?!"

It looked like a pack clinic. Some middle-aged healer muttered,

"Luna's orders. We're checking if you've had pups."

Are you kidding me?

Nope. I wasn't sticking around for this madness.

I shifted, shredded the ropes, and sent a tray of sharp tools flying.

While they scrambled, I slipped out.

Necklace still on me. Thank the Moon.

***

A few days later, it was Luna Queen's birthday.

Every pack in the kingdom showed up to kiss the Alpha King's ring.

Even they came.

The whole thing was less "Happy Birthday" and more "please pick us for your next alliance."

I spotted Ember across the ballroom. Her eyes locked on me—and boom, instant disbelief.

"What are you doing here? I told you to stay out of sight. You're humiliating me."

Danae glided over in some pink haute couture, smug as ever. "Seriously? You showed up? What—hoping Mommy and Daddy might take you back? That dress looks like rented plastic."

I rolled my eyes. 'Low-born mutt can't tell real couture if it marked her.'

I turned to leave. Not wasting a breath on either of them.

Then Danae shrieked. "My necklace! It's gone!"

Ember rushed over. "Did you drop it somewhere?"

Danae sniffled behind her hands. "I... I don't know. It was here before Nyra showed up. Then gone after she left."

Every wolf in the room turned to me.

Sniffling louder now, Danae added, "I mean... Nyra's never been around real luxury. Curiosity's normal, but—"

"Cut the crap," I snapped.

Danae flinched like I'd slapped her. "I didn't say you stole it... it's just... you're the only one here who wasn't invited."

Ember's face went cold. She stepped in, voice sharp.

"Nyra, I didn't think you'd sink this low. You've really let me down."

"You got proof?" I shot back.

Danae pouted. "Then let them search your clothes."

I froze. Getting searched in front of the whole pack? Total humiliation.

My silence was all Ember needed.

She flicked her wrist. "Search her!"

A few muscle-head wolves pinned me down. I thrashed, but Ember just stood there, eyes like ice.

"Nyra, I get it—you've never touched anything this expensive. But stealing? Still trash behavior."

They were seconds from tearing open my dress—

Then the lights cut.

Silence slammed the room.

Luna Queen—my real mom—stepped in, cloaked in cheers, gliding straight to center stage.

And hanging from her neck... my necklace.

Tears blurred my vision.

"Mom!"

Gasps exploded around the room.

Her eyes locked on me—on the mess I was in.

Storm brewing on her face, she spoke like thunder.

"What do you think you're doing to MY DAUGHTER?"