I looked down at my dark leather armor, covered in dust.

I couldn't help but ask myself, did I really not like it?

Did I dislike the moonstone jewelry, the velvet cloak, the magnificent gowns shimmering under the campfire?

I remembered the year Old Chieftain Alaric Ironspine died, all factions eyed the teenage Kyle Ironspine, wanting to seize the wolf pack's territory from him.

During an assassination attempt, I shielded him from a silver blade.

That day, I happened to be wearing a white formal gown.

Blood stained the white dress crimson.

Kyle Ironspine was terrified, suffering from a high fever for several nights, howling in nightmares.

From then on, my wardrobe was filled with dark armor and Executor's leather attire.

It's convenient for combat, and wounds don't show.

Later, the situation in the territory gradually stabilized.

I even considered dressing up.

I lingered in front of the Omega jewelry stalls at the market.

But the thought of the sweat and blood on the training field made me hesitate.

It wasn't that I disliked it.

It was that I couldn't like it.

Kyle Ironspine's voice drifted from inside.

Mixed with the rustling of fabric.

"Omega should act like Omega. Those who always try to be superior, to be a step above Alpha, are the most repulsive." Selena Frost chuckled softly.

At that moment, the three of us were strangely in sync.

No need to mention names.

We all knew that the one he was referring to as repulsive was me.

I took a step back.

A chill ran through me.

He probably forgot that when he had a wolfsbane fever attack in the middle of the night and couldn't find a healer.

It was I who carried him through a torrential downpour across ten miles of forest to seek medical help.

He was in danger in the den of a pack of wolves.

It was I who single-handedly stormed in and dug him out of the pile of corpses.

So many battles for territory, I'd been at the forefront, clearing the way for him.

In the end, all I got in return was a curt "Disgusting."

My hands trembled slightly.

Then I heard Kyle Ironspine say, "The Omega who knows how to attach themselves to Alpha is the smart one."

"She'll understand soon enough," Selena Frost asked him, asking why he was so sure.

Kyle Ironspine lowered his voice, a hint of smugness in his tone.

"There's a secret."

"I'll only tell you."

"Actually, I found the murderer who wiped out the Moonheart Clan five years ago."

"But if I don't tell her, she'll never know."

"She'll have to beg me—" I couldn't hear what he said after that.

My mind went blank, like something exploded.

My whole body trembled uncontrollably; I barely managed to steady myself by grabbing onto a stone pillar in the corridor.

Back then, when the Moonheart Clan was massacred.

If it weren't for Elder Alaric Ironspine saving me, I would have almost perished alongside those murderers.

Later, I arrived at the Ironspine Clan's main hall.

Kyle Ironspine consumed most of my energy, and also eased my pain.

But I never forgot the hatred for the annihilation of my clan.

He knew my inner turmoil.

When I woke from nightmares, he would hold me and comfort me: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

"Your enemy is my enemy."

"I will find him and avenge you." I still remember it to this day.

His eyes were bloodshot when he said that.

His face was filled with both pity and resentment.

He spared no effort in tracking down the murderers.

Even to exchange for a clue,

he dealt with the Black Market Wolf Pack, the organization he hated most.

But every time he got a clue, it came to nothing.

I thought it was fate playing tricks on me.

But I never imagined that he was manipulating everything behind the scenes.

I staggered out of the main hall.

Only one thought occupied my mind.

I brought that man back myself and made him pay for the Moonheart Clan's life.

Using Phyllis Venomfang's power, I searched the entire territory.

But I never expected that Kyle Ironspine would imprison him in the dungeon of the Ironspine Clan's chieftain.

So close to me.

I rushed towards the dungeon.

A thousand ways of revenge I considered along the way.

But when I arrived...

The cell door stood open.

Selene Frostveil leaned against the frame, twirling the iron key between her fingers.

My heart plummeted.

Selene regarded me with a mocking smile. "The Nightveil girl finally arrives?"

"What a shame. Too late."

"The prisoner? I let him go."

"Looks like you'll never have your revenge now."

My voice turned cold as winter frost. "You dared release a captive held under Alpha Court authority. Do you understand what that means?"

The woman arched one delicate brow. "Consequences?"

"The Alpha Heir told me I could do whatever makes me happy."

She paused deliberately, pressing her hand to her lips in feigned surprise. "Oh! I nearly forgot. That captive left behind some information before he fled. What was it again?"

"Ah, yes. Something about the young master of Moonhart Guard and Escort."

My pupils contracted sharply.

I seized her wrist in an iron grip. "Speak clearly!"

She wore an expression of false pity. "The Nightveil boy everyone thought died? He's been alive all along. Chained in a flood-tunnel beneath the old disputed grounds for seventeen years." She clicked her tongue. "Seventeen whole years. Can you imagine what's left of him?"

A heavy blow struck my chest.

I stood frozen, unable to process her words.

Selene suddenly leaned closer, her scent cloying and sweet. "Want to know where he's being kept?"

"Then agree to one condition."

"Leave the Alpha Heir. Walk away and never return."

I nodded without hesitation. "Done."

Surprise flickered across her face.

She let out a scornful laugh. "The Alpha Heir thought he had you completely under his control. Turns out you're the coldest one of all."

I closed my hand around her throat. "Enough talk. Give me the location."

"Unless you'd rather not leave this den alive."

I tightened my grip.

Fear flashed through her eyes.

She told me everything.

I ran faster than I'd ever run before.

But I was still one step too late.

Inside the flood-tunnel.

The stench hit me like a wall.

A young man's body lay curled in the darkness.

He wore nothing but a tattered undershirt that barely covered him.

His spine had warped from years in that cramped space.

Every inch of his body, except his face, was so damaged I couldn't recognize what his skin once looked like.

Was this... Rowan?

My brother, Rowan Nightveil?

I covered my mouth, gagging.

An invisible hand crushed my heart. I couldn't breathe.

Rowan's mind had stayed at three years old because of the wolfsbane they'd fed him. But he'd always been such a good, gentle soul.

When Father left on escort missions, Rowan would sit quietly by the den entrance, playing with his little drum all day long.

He loved sweets more than anything, yet he'd always save the last honey cake for me, fighting his own cravings.

For seventeen years, I'd stayed by Kael Ironcrest's side. I'd raised him. Trained him. Devoted myself to him.

While my own brother rotted in chains beneath the earth, barely recognizable as anything living.

What had Rowan ever done wrong?

In his simple world, he didn't even understand what evil was.

Why did he have to suffer like this?

I broke completely. I screamed and wept.

If only I'd arrived a quarter-hour sooner.

If only Kael hadn't hidden the truth to keep me dependent on him.

Would Rowan still be alive?

Back at the Alpha Court.

Kael Ironcrest opened his eyes.

He caught Selene's guilty expression and felt a dark premonition settle in his gut.

"What happened?"

Selene forced a nervous smile. "I... I released the Nightveil girl's captive."

Kael's expression eased slightly. "Released? We'll track him down again. No need for dramatics."

Selene's voice trembled. "But... the Nightveil girl found out."

"She also learned... that someone from the Moonhart bloodline survived. She's gone to find him..."

Kael's face darkened instantly.

His jaw tightened.

Before he could speak, his Beta Guard-Captain's voice came from beyond the door.

"Alpha Heir. A body was discovered in the tunnels beneath Sweetbriar Lane..."

Kael waved his hand in irritation. "Report it to the territory patrol! Why bring this to me?"

The Beta Guard-Captain's words came out broken and unsteady. "The body..."

"The body... it's Lady Lyra's younger brother..."