(Isara’s POV)

“Speak,” Raiden’s voice cut through the line, sharp as steel. “Explain why the loyal Luna of Xavian Silverhowl wishes to see her Alpha ruined.”

I told him everything. The false explosion spell on the tracking rune. Finding Xavian in the hidden clearing with Brienne. The words I heard about the moon experiments on my unborn pups. His plan to disgrace me and cast me aside.

By the time I finished, tears were sliding down my face once more.

Raiden said nothing for a while.

“Do you hold proof?” he asked at last.

“Yes.” My voice no longer trembled. “Healer records. Gold transfers. Share agreements. All of it.”

“And you possess half of his trading empire?”

“He does not know. No one knows,” I replied. “I also have evidence of crimes within his pack business. But I cannot act openly. He has allied Alphas, legal wolves and my own bloodline behind him.”

“Your bloodline stands with him?”

The question pierced deep because it was true.

My mother never truly wanted me.

When I was ten, the truth came out. Brienne and I had been exchanged at birth due to a mistake in the healer’s den.

I had grown up in a small border village, raised by a kind seamstress. We had little coin, but I had known warmth and simple joy.

Then the great house of Silverhowl claimed me and brought me to their grand city estate. Yet my mother could not release Brienne. She had raised her. Loved her.

So she kept us both.

But it was always clear who she favored.

“Isara, stand straight. You look like a farm pup.”

“Isara, speak properly. Your tone shames us.”

“Isara, why can you not be like Brienne?”

No matter how hard I tried, I was never enough. I studied court manners but stumbled. I learned the old tongue yet spoke it imperfectly.

Brienne shone bright and graceful and my mother made sure I knew I was less.

By eighteen, I had learned silence. To shrink. To expect nothing.

That was when I met Xavian. Strong. Confident. Ambitious. He looked at me as if I mattered.

“You are not like the others,” he once told me.

I gave him my heart without caution.

When he asked for my hand after six moons, I agreed without doubt.

The night before the mating ceremony, my mother pulled me aside. “Xavian Silverhowl uses you. But you are too blind to see.”

I ignored her.

I became his Luna. Spent eight years trying to be flawless.

All the while Brienne lay with my mate in secret and I never suspected.

My chest tightened as I forced myself back to the present.

“My family adores my sister,” I told Raiden quietly. “When Xavian rejects me, they will support him. I cannot rely on them.”

Raiden paused. “Then you seek vengeance.”

“I seek justice,” I corrected, my voice breaking. “He slaughtered my pups. Used their essence to heal my adopted sister so she could bear his heir. He tricked me into surrendering everything. Now he plans to throw me away like refuse.”

“And why come to me?” Raiden asked, curious.

“Because you despise him,” I answered honestly. “He warned me about you. Said you would stop at nothing to see him fall.”

Raiden gave a low, dark laugh. “What is it you desire from me, Isara?”

I tightened my fists. “I want him stripped of all he owns. His trade empire. His name. His freedom. I own half of his company. You are his strongest rival Alpha. Together we can destroy him.”

Silence lingered before Raiden spoke again.

“If I help you, it will not be an act of kindness. I will demand payment.”

My stomach tightened. “What payment?”

“Become my mate.”

“Your mate?” I whispered, stunned.

“Yes,” Raiden said simply. “If I am to wage war against Xavian Silverhowl for you, I require something lasting. Not gold. Not shares. You.”

“But…”

He cut me off. “Consider my offer, Luna Silverhowl. You hold my number.”

The bond line went dead.

I stared at the communicator, thoughts racing. Become Raiden Ravengrowl’s mate. The sworn enemy of my mate.

I shook my head. No. I did not need him. I had proof. I had power. I could stand alone.

I would see Xavian lose everything, just as he had stolen everything from me.

(Isara’s POV)

I did not hesitate. I walked straight into our chamber and began gathering my belongings. I did not yet know my next step, but I knew one thing clearly. I could not remain in this place any longer.

I moved without thinking, pulling gowns from their hooks, emptying carved drawers, folding everything into travel trunks.

“Isara?”

I froze.

Xavian’s voice came from the doorway. “What is happening? Why are you packing?”

Slowly, I turned to face him.

The moment he saw my face, his expression shifted. My eyes were swollen and red from crying. My cheeks were still wet.

“What is wrong?” He stepped toward me quickly. “Are you hurt? Tell me what happened.”

The worry in his voice made my stomach twist. He played his role perfectly. He sounded sincere.

I shook my head. “It is nothing,” I whispered hoarsely.

He moved closer, studying me. “It cannot be nothing. You have been weeping.”

I knew he would not let it go. So I lied.

“It’s just about Sariah,” I said, my voice breaking.

His brows pulled together. “Your foster mother? The seamstress who has been asleep in the healer’s hall since the carriage accident?”

I nodded. “The healers sent word. She grows weaker. They said she may not survive.”

For a heartbeat, relief flickered in his eyes.

Then it vanished, replaced with false sorrow.

“Oh, Isara.” He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. “I am sorry. I know she is dear to you.”

My skin crawled beneath his touch. The same hands that had ordered the deaths of my pups now held me as if he cared.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to shift and tear him apart.

But I stayed still. I let him embrace me.

“Xavian?” Brienne’s soft voice called from the doorway.

His body stiffened. He released me at once and hurried to her side.

“Are you well?” he asked her, true concern filling his tone. Not the false comfort he had given me.

Brienne smiled gently. “Yes. I only wished to know if you told Isara.”

Xavian turned back to me, his mood suddenly bright with excitement.

“Isara, Brienne carries wonderful news.”

I raised a brow. “Wonderful news?”

He nodded eagerly. “Yes. We will hold a celebration next week in the Alpha Hall. A grand gathering. My allies, trading partners, elders, everyone important will attend.”

I already knew. The pup inside Brienne. My mate’s pup growing in my sister’s womb. And I knew what he planned for me during that celebration.

“All of that for this news?” I asked calmly.

“Yes,” Brienne answered sweetly. “Xavian wished to do something meaningful for me. We are family, after all.”

A feast to honor the life created through the slaughter of my own unborn pups.

“There will be a private family dinner tonight first,” Xavian continued. “Only us and your parents. The large celebration follows next week. I have arranged everything already.”

“I am not interested,” I said flatly.

Brienne’s smile faltered. “But Isara…”

“I said I am not interested.”

Her face fell, eyes filling with tears.

“Isara,” Xavian snapped, irritation flashing across his features. “Your parents will attend. They expect you.”

“I cannot celebrate while Sariah lies dying,” I replied quietly, letting the lie fall easily from my lips.

“She is old,” Xavian said with a shrug. “She has lived her years. But this pup.” He rested his hand on Brienne’s stomach. “This is new life. A reason for joy.”

My fists clenched. Sariah had treated him like a son despite knowing I was not her blood. His coldness shocked me.

“Do not be selfish,” he continued. “Brienne wants to include you in something important.”

“I said no.”

Brienne’s tears spilled freely. “I only wished for us to stand together as a family. But if you despise me so much…” Her voice trembled.

“I am worried for Sariah,” I said, turning back to my packing.

“She was not your true mother,” Brienne murmured softly. “She was only…”

“Do not.” My voice turned sharp and cold. “Do not finish that sentence.”

Brienne flinched and clung to Xavian. “You see? She hates me. I try to be a loving sister, but she rejects me.”

“Enough,” Xavian said firmly. He faced me, eyes hard as stone. “You will attend the dinner tonight. And you will attend the gathering next week. That is final.”

“No,” I replied.

“Yes.” He stepped closer, his Alpha tone heavy with command. “You are my Luna. You will come, you will smile and you will support your sister. Do you understand?”

I looked at him. The male I had loved for eight long years. The father who had murdered our pups.

“Very well,” I said softly. “I will attend.”

Satisfaction flickered across his face. “Good. Dinner begins at the seventh hour.”

He placed an arm around Brienne and guided her away, whispering something that made her laugh lightly.

The door closed behind them.

I stood motionless, staring at the wood with cold fury burning inside me.

Xavian had no idea that a storm far greater than any he commanded was already rising against him.

(Isara’s POV)

When the seventh bell rang from the pack tower, I walked down the grand stairs wearing a simple black gown.

Xavian stood in the main hall beside Brienne. The moment he saw me, his brows drew together.

“You wear black?” he asked.

“I have nothing to rejoice over,” I answered softly.

His jaw tightened, yet he said nothing more.

Brienne wore a flowing pink gown that made her glow like a blessed Luna under the full moon.

“You look radiant,” Xavian told her gently.

She smiled brightly. “Thank you.”

He did not spare me a glance.

A servant rang the arrival chime at the entrance.

“That will be your parents,” Xavian said as he went to receive them.

I watched him greet my mother and father warmly, embracing them as if he were the perfect son in law.

My mother, Rhoswen, noticed my dress at once. “Isara, why are you dressed in black? Tonight is a celebration.”

“I cannot celebrate while Sariah still fights for her life in the healer’s den,” I replied calmly.

“Oh.” My mother’s face remained cold. “That is unfortunate. But this evening is about Brienne and her joyful news.”

Of course it was. Nothing else mattered to them.

We moved into the dining chamber.

I sat at the far end of the long oak table. Xavian took the head seat as Alpha. Brienne sat on his right. My parents took the seats to his left.

They laughed and spoke among themselves as if I were not present. I felt invisible in my own home.

Halfway through the meal, Brienne rose to her feet.

“I have something to share,” she said, her voice trembling with excitement.

All eyes turned toward her. Xavian looked proud.

“I am with pup,” Brienne said softly.

My mother gasped and rushed to embrace her. “My sweet girl. That is wonderful.”

My father, Nolric, nodded with a wide smile. “Congratulations, sweetheart.”

“Who is the father?” I asked quietly.

The room fell silent.

Brienne blinked at me. “What?”

“I asked who fathered the pup,” I repeated. “You are not mated. You have no known partner. So who is he?”

“Isara,” my mother snapped. “How dare you speak like that.”

“It is a fair question,” I said evenly.

Brienne’s eyes filled with tears. “I was seeing someone in secret. He passed away months ago. This pup is all I have left of him.”

The lie flowed easily from her lips.

I looked at my parents. They avoided my gaze. That was when I understood.

They knew…

They all knew the pup belonged to Xavian. My own parents knew my mate betrayed me with my sister and they celebrated it.

“I am sorry for your loss,” I said without emotion. “And congratulations on the pup.”

Xavian cleared his throat. “As I mentioned earlier, I will host a grand celebration this coming Saturday. Allies, trading partners, warriors, all will attend to honor this blessing.”

My mother clapped her hands happily. “How exciting. Brienne, you will need a new gown.”

“It is already prepared,” Xavian replied with a small smile. “Only the finest for my… for Brienne.”

He nearly revealed the truth. I saw him stop himself.

“Isara, you must wear something proper as well,” my mother said, glancing at my black gown with disapproval.

“I own many gowns,” I answered quietly.

“None fit for such a celebration,” she replied. “Tomorrow you and I will visit the city tailors.”

“I would rather spend tomorrow at the healer’s hall beside Sariah.”

My mother’s eyes hardened. “Isara, that woman is dying. There is nothing you can do. But you can stand beside your sister during her joyful time.”

That woman. Not your foster mother. Only that woman.

“If you will excuse me,” I said as I rose from my chair, “I do not feel well. I am going to rest.”

“Isara, sit down,” Xavian ordered sharply.

“No.”

“I said sit down.”

“And I said no.” I met his gaze without fear. “I came as you demanded. I heard the announcement. I am leaving.”

I turned and walked from the dining chamber.

Behind me, Brienne’s voice trembled with false tears. “She despises me, Mother.”

“Do not worry, my dear,” my mother soothed. “At least now, thanks to her, you are…” Her words dropped too low for me to hear.

My breath caught.

They knew everything Xavian had done. And they approved.

I climbed the stairs and closed the chamber door behind me. I lay upon the bed, staring at the ceiling while laughter, clinking goblets and music drifted upward from below.

They celebrated my suffering.

Soon, there would be nothing left for them to celebrate.