جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

INARA'S POV The high from the border mission didn’t last nearly as long as I wanted it to.Two days had passed since that intense moment in the woods, and my body still remembered every touch, every growl, every promise Grayson had whispered against my skin. But instead of floating through the days like I should have been, I felt like I was carrying a stone in my chest. Elder Thorne’s threats kept creeping back in at the worst times — during meals, while I was helping with the younger wolves, even when Grayson pulled me close at night. Walk away quietly. Fraud. You’ll weaken the pack.I tried to act normal. I really did. But the distance crept in anyway.This morning, when Grayson reached for my hand across the breakfast table, I let my fingers slip away a second too soon to grab my cup. His silver eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t say anything in front of the others. Later, during a pack meeting, he sat me beside him like always and brushed his knee against mine under the tab

INARA'S POV The morning started peaceful enough, but peace in a pack like Silverfang never lasted long.I was in the main hall helping sort supplies when one of the mothers came rushing in, face pale and eyes wide with panic. “Luna Inara — it’s the pups. Three of them from the eastern dens woke up with high fevers and terrible coughing. The healers are overwhelmed and the usual herbs aren’t working fast enough.”My stomach dropped. I didn’t even hesitate. “Take me to them. Now.”Grayson was in a meeting with the betas, but I sent word through one of the warriors and followed the mother quickly across the compound. When we reached the small cluster of dens, the scene broke my heart. Three little ones, barely five or six years old — lay bundled in blankets, flushed and coughing weakly. Their parents looked terrified.The healers were doing their best, but they were short on fresh silverroot and moonpetal, two key herbs that grew better in Moonveil’s milder climate.I knelt beside the

INARA'S POV I woke up slowly, wrapped in the kind of warmth that made me want to stay in bed forever. Grayson’s arm was heavy around my waist, his chest pressed firmly against my back, and his breath tickled the back of my neck. For a moment, everything felt perfect. No rogue threats, no elders whispering behind my back, no heavy secrets sitting on my chest. Just us.I shifted a little, and his arm tightened instantly.“Don’t even think about getting up,” he murmured, voice all sleepy and rough in that way that always sent butterflies through my stomach. He nuzzled closer, pressing a slow kiss just below my ear. “You’re staying right here where you belong.”I smiled, turning in his arms so I could face him. His silver eyes were half-lidded, hair messy from sleep, and the soft morning light made him look almost unfairly handsome. “Bossy even before breakfast, huh?”“Only with you.” He leaned in and kissed me — slow and sweet at first, then deeper, like he couldn’t help himself. His

INARA'S POV That night, sleep didn’t come easy.Even wrapped in Grayson’s strong arms, the warmth of his body pressed against my back and his steady breathing in my ear, my mind refused to quiet down. The guilt over everything I was still hiding from him had been building for days, and tonight it finally caught up with me in the worst way.The nightmare started innocently enough — we were at the ritual, golden light everywhere, the mate bond snapping into place with that beautiful warmth I’d been dreaming about. Grayson was looking at me with pure love in his silver eyes. Then Elder Thorne’s voice cut through everything like a blade.“She’s a fraud!” he shouted, and suddenly the whole pack was turning toward me. Faces that had smiled at me earlier twisted with anger and disappointment. “A substitute who lied to all of us. She’ll destroy the Alpha. She’ll weaken the pack!”I tried to reach for Grayson, but he was stepping back, betrayal written all over his face. “You hid this from

INARA'S POV The supply convoy run was supposed to be routine.Grayson had asked me to come along, saying he wanted me to see how the borders were being handled and that my input on Moonveil logistics might help. I’d said yes without hesitation.After everything, the nightmare, the partial confession, the way he’d held me through it — I needed to feel useful. Close to him.We rode out with a solid group of warriors, the wagons loaded with food, medicine, and weapons for the outer dens. The forest path was quiet at first, sunlight filtering through the trees. Grayson rode beside me, his presence steady and protective. Every so often his knee would brush mine, or he’d reach over and squeeze my hand. Small touches that still made my stomach flutter.“You’re quiet today,” he said after a while, voice low so only I could hear. “Still thinking about the nightmare?”I forced a smile. “A little. But being out here with you helps.”He gave me that soft look he only showed when we were alone —