All Chapters of Returning in Reverse After Betrayal: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

"Suspected. Little things didn't add up. The way he moved. The way he fought. Two hundred years of experience show." Marcus met my eyes."But whether he's king or commoner doesn't change what matters.""Which is?""Does he love you? Does he treat you well? Does he make you happy?""Yes to all three.""Then the rest is just titles and politics." He went back to his weapon inspection."Though I'll admit, 'Queen Sophia' has a nice ring to it."Despite everything, I smiled."Don't start.""Too late. Already planning the coronation feast.""Marcus.""I'm thinking ice sculptures. Very on-brand with your Tear powers.""I'm going to hurt you.""You love me too much."He was right.I did.I found Liana on the training grounds, running her Moonstone warriors through morning drills."Left flank, tighten up!" she called. "You're leaving gaps big enough for my grandmother to walk through!"The warriors adjusted their formation.Liana spotted me and jogged over. "Hey. Heard your mark activated.""N

The morning sun was still low when the welcome horns sounded across the valley.I was in the training yard, running sword forms with Marcus, when the deep notes rolled out. We both froze mid-swing.“Reinforcements,” Marcus said, already heading for the gates.I followed, hope flaring in my chest for the first time in days. After Kael’s injury, my loss of control, the endless scout reports—we needed this.At the gates, Garrett was directing the welcome. Pack members crowded around, faces bright with cautious excitement.Through the opening came a column of warriors in blue and silver—Moonstone Pack colors. Fifty strong, mounted, armored, and ready. Real help.And leading them—“Liana?”She dismounted in one smooth motion, the same graceful flow she’d had since we were kids.Tall, athletic, long dark hair in a tight warrior’s braid. A fresh scar cut across her left eyebrow, making her look even fiercer.She spotted me. Her grin broke wide.“Little Lia!”We crashed into a hug that erased

Liana hit me with it straight out, no warm-up. “Your boy’s scent,” she said, eyes locked on Kael, “It’s ancient. Like standing in the ruins of the Old Throne, ancient.”Kael didn’t flinch, but I felt the ripple through our bond—caution, mixed with that tired acceptance he carried whenever someone got too close to the truth.I stepped between them quickly.“Liana, can we save the third degree for later? Your crew needs beds, and we’ve got a war to prep for.”She let go of his hand but didn’t break eye contact.“Fine. Old habits. Hunter reflexes don’t just vanish.”“You were a hunter?” Kai asked, voice flat, careful.“Was,” she said, finally turning to me.“Before I became Silverpeak’s war chief. We need to talk. Alone.”“Tonight,” I promised.“Deal.”Later, as her warriors headed off to crash, Liana fell in beside me, voice low.“He’s not some random rogue, Leah.”“I know.”“Do you?” She glanced around, then leaned closer.“That power coming off him—I only felt it once. In the Old Thro

The scout made a mistake.Marcus spotted him first—a shadow in the northern trees, watching the pack house with too much focus. Amateur hour. Real scouts knew better than to stare.Or maybe he wanted to be seen. Wanted to be caught. Some cultists were fanatics. Others were just desperate.Marcus would find out which."There," Marcus whispered to his patrol.Five warriors fanned out silently through the underbrush."Surround quietly. Take him alive if possible."They moved like ghosts. Years of training showed. The scout didn't notice until it was too late.He bolted.Bad choice.Marcus was faster.He tackled him from behind.They hit the ground hard, rolling through dead leaves.The scout shifted mid-roll—claws extending, teeth bared.Marcus was ready. The Moonbane net flew from his hand, wrapping the scout in silver webbing.The corrupted magic reacted violently. Smoke rose where Moonbane touched flesh. The scout screamed.He crashed to the ground, tangled and helpless, shifting back t

"Answer the damn question." Kael's voice cut through the room like ice cracking.Not a request. A straight command.The scout, chained tight and sweating buckets, finally broke."Drake. My name's Drake.""Why were you spying on us?""Orders.""From who?"Drake's eyes flicked everywhere, hunting for a way out that didn't exist. "High Priestess Seraphine."Kael leaned in. "What orders exactly?"Drake panted now, "Watch the vessel. Track everything she does. Count the warriors. Map defenses. I'm just a scout. Nobody important. Please.""How many scouts total?""Forty now. More rolled in yesterday."Behind the one-way glass, my gut twisted.Forty spies. Watching our every move. Reporting straight to Seraphine.Garrett scribbled fast next to me. "We gotta track them all down.""Hold on," I muttered. "Milk him for more first."In the room, Marcus pushed. "Why the extras?"Drake swallowed hard. "Because the attack hits tomorrow. Dawn. All in."We knew it was coming. Seraphine had bragged abo