Lavender rushed to her bedroom. The moment the door closed behind her, she grabbed her laptop and opened it. If Fern was planning something so catastrophic, there had to be breadcrumbs somewhere. The pack might have been good at keeping their secrets from humans, but blending into the human world meant there were always traces—social media, school records, photos.

Her fingers swiftly navigated the keyboard, inputting Fern Everly. At first, it was the usual: her basic information, school records showing she had graduated from a prestigious private academy, and a public-facing job profile that boasted of her involvement in charity events and community outreach.

Lavender scoffed. “Of course, you look perfect on paper.”

Then she clicked on Fern’s social media accounts. What she saw painted a very different picture. Fern was active across multiple platforms, her pages filled with glamorous selfies, group photos, and snapshots of her at extravagant parties. She was a social butterfly, always surrounded by people, always the center of attention.

The posts were curated, of course—everything perfectly polished—but Lavender had learned to read between the lines. In one photo, Fern clinked glasses with a group of equally glamorous friends, the caption reading: To another victory! Lavender frowned. What kind of victory?

As she dug deeper, a particular post caught her eye. It was a picture of Fern in a dimly lit bar, leaning into a man whose face was partly obscured. Her head was thrown back in laughter, a drink in hand, while the man’s arm wrapped around her waist. In another shot, she was seated on his lap, her fingers playfully resting on his chest.

There was a video attached to the post. Lavender clicked it as her hands trembled. The audio was muffled, but the man’s voice was unmistakable—the same cold, deep tone she’d heard in her mind during their conversation.

“That’s him,” Lavender whispered.

She paused the video, her eyes narrowing as she studied the man’s face. He was rugged, with sharp features. Something about him felt dangerous, predatory.

With a sinking feeling, Lavender went back to Fern’s friends list, scrolling quickly. There he was. His name was Kane Blackthorn, and his profile wasn’t private. Lavender clicked on it and felt her stomach drop. Kane was a werewolf too, and according to his profile, he was from the Bloodfang Pack.

The Bloodfang Pack.

Her breath stopped. Cedar’s father had crushed the Bloodfang Pack in a brutal battle years ago, driving most of them out of the territory and scattering the survivors. They had been enemies of the Shadowpelt Pack for decades.

Fern wasn’t just working with an outsider. She was working with a sworn enemy.

Lavender’s hands trembled as she saved every photo, video, and post she could find. She transferred everything to a flash drive, knowing she needed proof to confront Cedar.

With her evidence secured, she didn’t waste another second. She stormed out of her room and headed straight for Cedar’s office.

The door was slightly ajar, and she pushed it open without knocking. Cedar was sitting behind his desk, papers scattered everywhere, his brow furrowed as he went over pack logistics.

“Cedar,” Lavender began.

He didn’t look up. “Not now, Lavender. I’m busy.”

“This is important,” she said, stepping closer.

Cedar finally raised his head. “I said, not now. Whatever it is, it can wait.”

“It can’t,” Lavender insisted. “Fern is planning something dangerous. She’s working with someone from the Bloodfang Pack.”

At the mention of Fern’s name, Cedar’s expression hardened. “Don’t start this again.”

“I have proof,” Lavender pressed, holding up the flash drive. “Photos, videos—everything. Fern and this man, Kane, they’re plotting against you, against the entire pack!”

Cedar’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood. “Enough!” he barked. I won’t listen to you slander Fern. She’s been nothing but loyal to this pack.”

“She’s lying to you!” Lavender shouted back. “She doesn’t care about this pack. She’s trying to destroy it!”

Cedar’s eyes flashed with anger. “One more word against her, and I’ll have you locked up for insubordination. Do you understand me?”

Lavender stared at him. He didn’t believe her. Worse, he was so blinded by whatever spell Fern had cast over him that he refused to even look at the evidence.

Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the office.

How could he be so blind? How could he threaten her when all she was trying to do was protect the pack?

As she paced the hallway, trying to calm her racing thoughts, one name came to mind: Flint. The Beta was loyal to the pack above all else. If anyone would listen to her, it would be him.

Without hesitation, she made her way to Flint’s quarters. She knocked once, then twice, before the door swung open. Flint stood there, his brow furrowed in concern.

“Luna? What’s wrong?”

It was Cedar’s birthday, a night that should have been about him—a night that was supposed to mark another year of his leadership, his power.

But for Lavender, it was a night that would forever be remembered as the night she took her life back.

She stood at the back of the room, her hand resting against the cool stone wall, watching the celebration unfold. Cedar stood in the center, surrounded by his allies, his gaze flickering between Fern and the other alphas. His smile was warm, his presence commanding, but to Lavender, it felt like a mask, hiding the truth she could no longer ignore.

The truth that he had betrayed her. The truth that he had chosen Fern over her. And now he was forcing them both to stand together in front of the pack, asking her to accept Fern as if she were nothing more than a shadow.

A sharp pang of grief twisted in her chest, but she pushed it down. Tonight, the grief would have no place. Tonight, she was done with pain.

Tonight, she was done with Cedar.

Lavender’s hands clenched into fists as she watched Cedar laugh at something Fern said, his arm casually draped over her shoulders. The sight burned through her, but she didn’t let herself look away. She had spent too many nights avoiding this moment, too many nights pretending everything was fine. It was time to face it. To face him.

She couldn’t stay in the background any longer. She couldn’t let him control her.

She was stronger now. She had trained. She had learned. And now, she was going to stand up for herself, even if it meant standing alone.

With one last deep breath, Lavender pushed off the wall and made her way through the crowd. She felt eyes on her as she moved. Curious, judging, wondering what she was going to do. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered anymore.

When she reached the center of the room, where Cedar stood, the noise around her seemed to quiet, as if the air itself held its breath.

Cedar’s eyes met hers. Fern, standing beside him, gave Lavender a sharp, almost triumphant look, as if daring her to make a scene.

Lavender’s heart hammered in her chest, but she didn’t look away. She couldn’t. Not now.

She took a step forward. “Cedar, I stand here tonight to make one thing clear: I reject you.”

The room went silent, every pair of eyes turning to her. She could feel the shock rippling through the air like a wave, and for a moment, she almost doubted herself. Almost. But the fire inside her burned too hot for doubt. She had come this far. She wasn’t turning back.

“I reject the bond we once shared,” she continued, and the words are flowing more easily now. “I reject the promises you made to me, the lies you’ve told. I reject everything that you’ve become. I, Lavender Fields, reject you, Alpha Cedar of Shadowfelt, as my mate!"

Cedar’s face hardened as his gaze shifted from her to Fern, whose expression had gone cold. Lavender could see it now—the fear in his eyes. Not of her, but of losing control. Of losing her.

“I don’t want this life,” Lavender said. “I don’t want a life where I’m just a shadow of someone else’s dream. I am not yours to claim. Not anymore.”

Fern stepped forward, her lips curling into a tight smile, but Lavender saw the fury hidden behind her eyes. She had been playing this game for too long, and now, it was time for her to take what she thought was hers.

“I won’t be here anymore, Cedar,” Lavender continued. “I won’t stand by and watch you tear me apart."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Cedar’s lips parted, as if he were about to say something, but the words never came. Instead, his eyes flashed with not just surprise but a flicker of panic.

For some reason, he felt the solid pain of the rejection even though he wasn't yet accepting it. He felt as if his soul was taken away in an instant. He didn't even see this one coming.

"H-How?" was the only question he managed to stammer out.

"You don't remember, do you?" Lavender chuckled bitterly. "I am a lunar wolf. I can reject my mate without their consent, and I have chosen to do so."

“Don’t do this." Cedar stood up slowly, unwrapping his arms around Fern. "We can work through it. I can fix this.”

“No.” Lavender shook her head. “I don’t need you to fix it. I don’t need you to make it better. I need to be free.”

Cedar’s mouth opened to counter, but then howls echoed through the forest. It was a sound of pure terror, and Lavender’s wolf growled dangerously in her mind.

“They are coming,” she whispered with closed eyes.

As the howls echoed through the night, Fern’s instincts kicked in. She didn’t hesitate. Without a word, she turned and bolted from the center of the room, her eyes scanning the crowd for Kane. Her mind raced with excitement. This was the moment she’d been planning for—the moment when everything would finally fall into place.

She quickly made her way through the guests, searching the edge of the hall where she knew he would be. And there he was. Kane, the Beta of the Bloodfang pack, stands tall and proud near the shadows. When their eyes met, he smiled, his dark eyes full of knowing.

Fern didn’t waste any time. She moved toward him quickly, giggling like a schoolgirl as she approached.

Without warning, she kissed him fiercely, a kiss full of heat and purpose. Kane kissed her back, his hands gripping her waist as he pulled her closer.

When they finally pulled apart, Kane grinned. "The Shadowfelt pack won’t stand a chance. You’re sure about this?”

Fern smiled back, her heart filled with satisfaction. “We’re going to destroy them. After tonight, you’ll be the Alpha, and I’ll be your Luna. Shadowfelt will be ours.”

Kane’s grin grew wider. “And what do I have to pay for all of this?”

Fern leaned in close. “All I ask for is your loyalty. When we take over, you’ll be the Alpha of both packs. Together, we’ll rule them all.”

Kane looked pleased with the offer. “That’s all I need. You have my loyalty, Fern.”

Her lips curled into a satisfied smile, but a flicker of caution passed through Kane’s eyes. “What about Cedar? He won’t just step aside.”

Fern’s smile turned colder. “Cedar won’t have a choice. After tonight, he’ll be gone. The pack will be yours. I’ll make sure of it.”

Kane’s eyes softened with reassurance, but he held Fern’s gaze for a moment longer. “Then let’s do this.”

Fern nodded. She turned her attention to one of the Bloodfang warriors in the shadows, sending a quick mindlink. “Take the silver bullet and shoot Kane. Right in the heart.”

The warrior’s face went blank for a moment before he nodded. “Yes, Luna.”

Without a second glance, he disappeared into the shadows. Kane, still unaware of what was happening, looked at Fern. His expression was full of confidence. “We’re unstoppable now. I can't believe we can easily take down the Alpha with this plan. But it's all because of you."

Fern didn’t respond right away. She just watched him for a long moment, a small smile playing on her lips.

Suddenly, the Bloodfang warrior emerged from the shadows, holding a crossbow aloft. He didn’t hesitate. The silver bullet shot through the air, striking Kane in the chest.

Kane gasped, his eyes widening in shock as the pain hit him. His hand shot to his chest, but it was too late. Blood seeped from the wound, his legs giving way as he collapsed to the ground.

Fern's heart remained steady. She watched calmly as Kane’s body hit the floor, his breaths shallow and strained. Kane’s eyes locked with hers, confusion and disbelief written all over his face. “Fern… What…?”

“Sorry, Kane,” Fern said softly. Her angelic face was so innocent-looking that it looked more scary than beautiful at that moment. “I prefer an Alpha like Cedar.”

Kane’s breath hitched, and he tried to push himself up, but his body was already growing weaker. “I thought we… I thought you—”

Fern crouched beside him. “You were always just a tool to me, Kane. I needed you for a time, but now you’re useless.”

Kane gasped for air. “You… You lied… I—”

“No,” Fern interrupted. “I didn’t lie. You just didn’t see it. You were always meant to fall. Now, die like the Beta you always were.”

Kane’s hand fell to the ground, his body going limp as life left him. Fern watched, unblinking, as his last breath escaped him. The blood from the silver bullet stained his chest, and his eyes glazed over in death.

She stood up, looking down at him with no emotion. There was no sense of guilt or remorse in her. This was just the next step in her plan. Now with Kane out of the way, the path was clear.

Fern turned to the warrior who had taken the shot. “Good job. Now, make sure no one knows it was me. Keep it quiet for now. We don’t need any distractions.”

The warrior nodded and disappeared into the shadows as Fern turned her back on Kane’s body. The pack was still fighting outside, the howls of battle ringing through the night.

But Fern didn’t care about that anymore. She had what she needed. The Shadowfelt pack was on the brink of destruction, and soon it would be hers. She would be the Luna. And no one, not even Lavender, would stand in her way.