(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.

(Isara’s POV)

When I woke inside the pack infirmary, my head felt like it had been split by a claw. My cheek burned and I tasted iron on my tongue.

I tried to rise, but my limbs felt heavy and weak. Pain covered every part of me.

“You are awake at last.” Xavian’s voice was flat and cold.

I forced my eyes open. He sat near the tall window of the Moonfang Healing Den, watching me like I was nothing.

Memories rushed back. In eight winters of being his Luna, Xavian had never struck me before that night.

“Xavian,” I breathed. “How could you?”

“Beg forgiveness from Brienne.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Kneel and apologize to your sister for harming her.”

“I did not harm her.” I tried to sit up again despite the pain. “She mocked me. She said cruel things.”

“I do not care what words she used.” He stood. “You touched a she wolf who carries an Alpha heir. You could have killed my pup.”

“She threw herself down the steps of the pack house.” Tears slid down my face. “She lies. She always lies.”

“Apologize.”

“No,” I said, my voice firm.

His eyes darkened. “No?”

“I will not beg for a sin I did not commit.”

He watched me for a long moment. Then he smiled and it was colder than winter frost.

“Very well.”

He seized my arm and pulled me up. My legs shook beneath me.

“What are you doing?” I gasped.

He gave no answer. He dragged me from the room and down the stone hall of the Healing Den.

“Xavian, stop. Where are you taking me?”

He kept walking until we reached the sacred ward where the most wounded wolves lay.

My stomach twisted.

“No,” I whispered. “Please, Xavian.”

He ignored me and stopped before Room 27. Sariah’s chamber.

“Xavian, please,” I cried. “Don’t do this.”

He pushed the door open.

Sariah lay pale and still upon the bed of furs, silver threads of moon magic glowing around her. Crystal runes blinked softly beside her, tracking her fading life. Raiden’s warriors had not arrived yet.

A healer turned, shocked. “Alpha, you cannot enter without…”

“Remove the life binding spell,” Xavian ordered, his voice like ice.

The healer stared. “My Alpha?”

“I said remove it.”

“My Alpha, if we break the spell, her spirit will leave within moments.”

“I am aware,” he replied coldly. “Do it now.”

The healer looked at me, then back at him. “I need the High Council’s seal before—”

“I am Xavian Silverhowl, Alpha of this territory,” he said quietly. “My word is law. I fund this Healing Den with my gold and my power. If you refuse me, I will strip you of your rank and banish you from every pack land. Do you understand?”

The healer’s face lost all color. With shaking hands and tears in her eyes, she began to undo the glowing threads of moon magic.

“No!” I lunged forward, but Xavian caught me and held me back.

“Please,” I sobbed. “She is all I have. She raised me. Please.”

The soft hum of magic faded.

The glowing runes dimmed.

“Xavian, please!” I fell to my knees. “Do not do this. I beg you.”

He looked down at me. “Apologize to Brienne.”

“I will apologize,” I screamed. “I will beg for anything. Just spare her.”

“Say it.”

“I am sorry,” I cried, shaking. “I am sorry for pushing Brienne. I am sorry for everything. Please, Xavian. Do not take her from me.”

He studied me in silence.

“Restore the spell,” I shouted. “Please restore it.”

Then a voice echoed from the hall. “Alpha Silverhowl!”

Another healer rushed in. “It is Lady Brienne. She cannot breathe. Her wolf is in distress.”

Xavian released me at once. “Summon every healer and shaman in this den. No harm must touch Brienne or my heir.”

He left without another glance. He even dragged the healer from Sariah’s side with him.

I ran into the hallway.

“Help!” I cried. “Please, someone help us!”

But every healer hurried toward Brienne.

I turned back to the bed, staring at the fading crystals and runes.

“I am sorry,” I whispered to Sariah. “I do not know how to mend the spell.”

I touched the stones and whispered every prayer to the Moon Goddess I knew. Nothing answered me.

The glow around her weakened.

“No, no,” I sobbed. “Please, Mother. Do not leave me.”

The final rune flickered and went dark.

“No!” I threw myself over her body. “Mother. Please.”

But her spirit had already crossed into the Moon Goddess’s embrace.

I do not know how long I lay there, crying over her.

When the healers returned, they tried to pull me away. I would not release her.

Pack guards had to be called.

They dragged me from the room as I screamed and fought like a wild wolf.

In the waiting chamber, Xavian sat beside Brienne. She wept softly while my mother stroked her hair.

When he saw me being carried past, he did not look troubled. He simply turned back to Brienne and held her close.

Sariah was gone. Xavian had ended her life. Just as he had ended the lives of my unborn pups.

With shaking fingers, I took out my communicator and sent a message to Raiden.

[He killed my mother. It is too late.]

His reply came at once.

[What happened?]

I told him everything. There was a long silence before his next words appeared.

[I will make him answer for this, Isara. I swear it on my wolf and my crown.]

If Xavian believed he had broken me, he would soon learn how wrong he was.