(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.

(Isara’s POV)

Hours passed. The laughter below slowly faded until the pack house fell silent.

My parents retired to one guest chamber. Brienne took the other. And Xavian… I knew exactly where my Alpha would be.

My throat felt dry. I needed water, but I forced myself to wait a little longer to be certain everyone slept.

At last, I slipped from the bed, crept down the stairs and entered the kitchen. I poured water from the stone basin into a glass.

Then I heard Xavian’s low voice drifting from his study.

“I do not care what it takes. Keep her under the sleep spell.”

I froze, the glass halfway to my lips.

“No. I do not want her waking,” he said coldly. “I pay you enough gold to ensure that.”

My heart pounded against my ribs.

“The spirit watchers detected brain activity? Then increase the potion. I do not want her conscious. Ever.”

I slowly set the glass down and moved closer. The study door stood slightly open.

“You fail to understand,” Xavian hissed. “Sariah is a threat. If she wakes, everything collapses.”

Silence. Then his voice again. “Yes, I know it breaks healer law. That is why I will triple your payment.”

Another pause.

“Because she saw me,” he snapped. “She saw me with Brienne months ago. She threatened to tell Isara. So I dealt with it.”

My hand flew to my mouth.

“The carriage crash was no accident,” Xavian said without emotion. “I forced her off the mountain road myself. She should have died, but the old woman survived. Now she lies in a coma and she must remain there.”

No…

“If she wakes and tells Isara what she witnessed, my plans shatter. Keep her asleep until after the celebration. After that, I do not care. Let her die naturally. Just make sure it cannot be traced to me.”

The call ended. His chair scraped across the floor.

I ran.

I rushed up the stairs and closed the chamber door just as his footsteps echoed through the corridor. I pressed my back against the wood, shaking.

Xavian tried to kill Sariah. He kept her trapped in forced sleep. He planned to let her die.

With trembling hands, I grabbed my communicator stone and called Raiden.

He answered on the second ring. “Luna Silverhowl. It is late.”

“I need your help,” I whispered desperately. “It is about my foster mother, Sariah. Xavian forced her carriage off the road months ago because she caught him with Brienne. Now he pays the healer to keep her in a coma. She shows signs of waking and he plans to let her die.”

Silence answered me.

“Please,” I begged. “I must move her somewhere safe. I cannot do it alone. His wolves are everywhere.”

“Where is she kept?”

“Moonfang Healing Den. Chamber 27.”

“She will be moved before dawn,” Raiden said calmly. “She will be protected.”

Relief washed over me. “Thank you. Thank you.”

“But you understand what this means, Isara.”

I closed my eyes. “Yes.”

“Speak it.”

“I accept your offer,” I said softly. “I will become your mate.”

“Good. Four days remain.”

The line went silent. I sat in the darkness, the stone still in my hand.

I had agreed to mate with a wolf I had never met. My mate’s greatest enemy.

Xavian did not know it yet, but I had become his reckoning.

I could not sleep. My mind replayed every word I heard in that study.

Then footsteps approached. A soft knock followed.

“Isara?” Brienne’s voice sounded gentle. “May I enter?”

I gave no answer.

“Isara, please. I only wish to speak.”

Silence.

“Open the door.”

The handle turned. She stepped inside.

There was a pause. Then her tone changed. The sweetness vanished.

“You look pitiful, sister,” she drawled.

I remained still.

She smirked. “Know this. The pup in my womb belongs to Xavian. He chose me.”

I slowly sat up and faced her.

A cruel grin curved her lips. “He told me how dull you are in his bed. How you never satisfied him. How he shut his eyes and imagined someone else.”

My hands curled into fists.

“And those pups?” She laughed. “Four chances. And you failed each time. What kind of she wolf cannot even carry a single heir?”

My vision blurred with rage.

“Your body must be flawed,” she continued. “Perhaps the Moon Goddess knew you would be a terrible mother.”

I rose and walked toward her.

“Xavian loves me,” Brienne said with pride. “I carry his true heir. A strong pup who will live. Because I can give him what you never could. A real family.”

I shoved her.

She stumbled back, eyes wide.

“Leave,” I said coldly.

“You vicious creature,” she hissed. “How dare you.”

“I said leave.”

I slammed the door shut and locked it. Silence followed. Then footsteps moved down the hall.

I returned to the bed and sat down.

Suddenly, a heavy thud echoed below. A scream pierced the air.

“Xavian! Help! Xavian….”

My blood turned to ice. What did she do?

The chamber door burst open so violently it struck the wall. The lock splintered.

Xavian stood there, chest heaving, fury burning in his eyes. Behind him, my parents held a sobbing Brienne.

“You pushed her down the stairs?” Xavian’s voice was dangerously calm.

“What? No!”

“She came to comfort you,” my mother cried. “To make peace. And you attacked her.”

“That is not true.” I stepped forward. “She entered my chamber and insulted me.”

“It is true,” Brienne sobbed. “I only wished to check on her. She pushed me.”

“I shoved her away from my door. I did not push her down the stairs.”

Before I could speak another word, Xavian’s fist struck my face.

The force threw me backward. My head slammed against the stone wall. Pain exploded through my skull.

Darkness swallowed me whole.