Semua Bab The Fatal Favor: Bab 1 - Bab 10

The next day, I went to the best stonemason in the pack. I was dying, and it felt like it was time to choose my own headstone.He was warm and eager. He led me out back, showed me the rows of headstones, and talked me through what each one cost. I took my time, looking from slab to slab, and in the end chose a plain, white stone.I had no family left but Eric. I was worried there would be no one to sort things out once I was gone, so I figured I should make the arrangements myself.I'd barely had a life of my own for years because I'd been busy helping Eric run the pack. I finally had time now, but I was spending it on this.The stonemason asked whose name to carve on the headstone."Evelyn Metcalf," I said.He hesitated. "Luna Evelyn, is this for you?"If word got out that the Luna was losing her wolf and dying, it would ruin the pack's reputation. I meant to take the headstone and leave before I died, slipping quietly out of the world.I shook my head and kept my voice steady

Day by day, my body wore down. I slept more than I lived. The time I spent awake grew shorter, and the time wracked by unbearable pain grew longer.My friends invited me on a trip, and I said no. I wanted to stay here, alone, in the house that once held so much joy, and see this last stretch through quietly.But Mia refused to let me have any peace.She kept sending me photos and messages—she and Eric doing territory rounds, their intimate selfies in some luxury hotel, and the two of them at the infirmary for a prenatal checkup.I stared at what should have wrecked me and didn't feel a thing.Then one day, another photo arrived. In the background was the secret wooden cabin Eric and I had built for our dates, tucked deep in the woods.I hadn't even reacted before Mia's next message arrived."A gift for you."I rang Eric immediately, but he didn't answer.Jittery and weak, I forced myself up and went to the woods. That cabin was the first place Eric and I had called ours, back

A still form lay beneath a white sheet on the bed.Eric's heart lurched. He made a stiff turn, following the healer's pointing finger, yet his feet remained rooted to the spot."No way. Evelyn called me yesterday about the wooden cabin," he mumbled, as if arguing himself back into the world he knew.She was always doing this, trying to get his attention. But this joke was over the line, wasn't it?"Wake her up. Tell her to cut it out," Eric said.The lead healer rasped, "Alpha Eric, when Luna Evelyn was found, she was already cold. Her wolf… was gone.""Her wolf is gone?"Eric gave a laugh that sounded worse than a sob. "You're healers. If her wolf is gone, restore it! If the silver acts up, suppress it with potions! You saved her seven years ago. Why can't you save her now?"The healers lowered their eyes and said nothing.In the end, Eric forced himself to cross over to the bed, each step stripping away what strength he had left. He reached out, but the moment his fingertips

Eric jolted awake with a cry, cold sweat running down his back.The mansion was engulfed in darkness, with only a pale strip of moonlight through the window offering light to the room.His stomach lurched. He staggered up to get some water, but as he passed the bedroom, he heard a voice.Mia."Evelyn's dead. Eric's drinking himself senseless every day. Don't worry. The pup is yours. Once I'm named Luna and the pack's assets are in my hands, we'll disappear. Just wait a bit longer. Alright. Love you."Eric stood in the dark. His blood went cold at once.The pup Mia was carrying wasn't his?Rage surged through him like a breaking wave. He nearly stormed in to confront Mia. But if he did it now, she would deny everything, and deciding the pup wasn't his based on just a few words would be foolish.He needed proof.…The next day, Eric appeared in the council chamber like nothing had happened. He summoned his Beta, Clyde Tillard."Dig into Mia Sadler. Track her recent movements,

Mia's confession ripped out of her. "Yes! All of it was my doing! I was jealous of Evelyn! She's useless. She can't even bear a pup. What right does she have to sit in the Luna's seat and keep all your love to herself?"What do I lack compared to her? I'm younger and prettier, and I can give you an heir! I hated her! I wanted her gone! I set her up at the stonemason's so you'd turn against her."I tore down the wooden cabin to erase your last memories of her. I needed you to see her as a dull eyesore, so you'd cast her aside for good!"Mia laughed and sobbed at once, as if she'd finally snapped."I won, didn't I? You really stopped loving her. You said it yourself—you wished she'd die. Don't pretend your hands are clean, Eric. I wasn't the only one who pushed her to her death. You did too.""Yeah. Me."Eric closed his eyes. His throat felt choked up, and his voice came out rough. "You're right. I killed her with my own hands. And now you and Todd will be buried with her."Eric d