“Honorable Council,” I stand before the seven elders. “I come before you today with grave accusations against Rebecca.”
The council chamber falls silent. Rebecca sits across from me, Maxwell at her side.
“Since Rebecca’s arrival, our pack has faced unprecedented misfortune. I was pushed off Wolf’s Cliff – an attempt on my life that nearly succeeded. And now, my mother is dead under suspicious circumstances.”
Elder Thompson leans forward. “These are serious allegations, Alpha Zenobia.”
“There’s more. Our pack is divided. Some members hold secret meetings with Rebecca. Others have fallen mysteriously ill – a sickness that doesn’t heal. When have you ever heard of werewolves falling sick?”
“It’s true,” Elder Morgan nods. “The Williams twins have been ill for weeks. Most unusual.”
“All of this started the day Rebecca arrived,” I continued. “And I saw her leaving my mother’s room with a bottle of green liquid the day she died.”
Murmurs ripple through the council.
“This is outrageous!” Maxwell jumps to his feet. “You’re just jealous because Rebecca is my true mate!”
“Let Alpha Zenobia finish,” Elder Thompson commands.
“Our pack has never known disease before Rebecca came,” I press on. “Now we have sick wolves, mysterious deaths, and attempts on my life. This can’t be coincidence.”
The council members exchange looks. Elder Wilson speaks first: “The timing is… troubling. Perhaps Rebecca’s presence is indeed an ill omen.”
“This is absurd!” Maxwell shouts. “Zenobia’s just bitter because she can’t keep a mate. No wonder no one loves her – she’s nothing but a backstabbing traitor!”
“SILENCE!” Elder Thompson’s voice booms. “You forget yourself, Maxwell.”
I force myself to stay calm despite Maxwell’s words cutting deep. “I’ve ordered tests on my mother’s blood samples and the substance I saw Rebecca carrying. If they prove she poisoned my mother, I demand her immediate banishment or execution.”
“Agreed,” Elder Morgan nods. “If evidence of poisoning is found, the punishment must be severe.”
“This is ridiculous!” Rebecca cries, tears streaming down her face. “I’m innocent!”
Maxwell wraps his arms around her. “Don’t worry, love. We won’t let this jealous, vile woman hurt you.”
“The council has spoken,” Elder Thompson declares. “We await the test results. Until then, Rebecca will be confined to the pack house under guard.”
I meet Rebecca’s eyes across the chamber. For a moment, her mask slips, and I see something cold and calculating beneath her tears.
“This isn’t over,” Maxwell hisses as he leads Rebecca out.
“No,” I whisper. “It’s only the beginning.”
I walked past them, trying to stop myself from breaking down. I can’t cry infront of everyone. I feel broken, after everything Rebecca has done, my husband still remains blind.
I headed up the stairs of the packhouse, wanting to rest in my room. I walked past Maxwell and Rebecca’s bedroom, the door was ajar. I passed the room, then stopped right in front of my own door. I paused, then doubled back. Looking inside, I caught that white paper sticking from under Rebecca’s pillow.
I entered the room, picking up the white paper. My heart stopped.
The Lycan King’s Letter.
Rebecca had taken it. Hidden it.
“What the hell are you doing?” Rebecca came up behind me, startling me.
I spun around, letter clutched in my hand. “You! You took it!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her lips curved into that innocent smile.
“What’s going on here?” Maxwell appeared in the doorway.
Rebecca rushed to him, pressing herself against his chest, fingers playing with his beard. “Baby, I found her going through my things.”
“Zeno, what the hell?” Maxwell’s face darkened. “It’s not enough that you embarrassed my mate and accused her of murder, now you’re-”
“Maxwell, she stole my letter!” I thrust it toward him. “What were you doing with this? Why did you open it?”
“Oh, that old thing?” Rebecca’s eyes widened. “I found it on the floor after that awful fight. I was keeping it safe until I could return it. I was trying to help.”
“Liar!” My hands shook as I held the letter. “You planned this-you wanted to keep it from me!”
“Just like you planned to blame me for your mother’s death?” Rebecca faked a sweet voice, yet I knew the monster lurking underneath. “Such a tragedy, losing her like that…”
My claws itched to come out, my Alpha instincts screaming to defend my pack, to end her lies. But I forced myself to stay still, my jaw clenched. I couldn’t afford to lose control-not now, not when I was still weak. Not when I had lost my wolf. Without Luna, I was powerless. I couldn’t risk Rebecca knowing, not when everything she does is designed to break me. Instead, I took a step closer. “You think you’ve won, Rebecca. But I will expose you. And when I do, even Maxwell won’t be able to protect you.”
“Babe,” Rebecca said, turning to Maxwell with tears in her eyes. “She’s clearly unstable. Why would she accuse me like this? I’m carrying your child, after all.”
The world seemed to stop. Maxwell and I both turned to her, stunned.
“What?” Maxwell whispered. “You’re… we’re…”
Rebecca nodded, sobbing. “I wanted to tell you differently, but-”
“A baby?” Maxwell’s face lit up, and he swept her into his arms, spinning her around. “We’re having a baby!”
My hand went to my own empty womb. My baby. My secret loss.
I walked away from them, stopping at their door. Turning my back to them, through tears, I finally opened the letter.
*Alpha Zenobia,*
*Your concerns warrant discussion. I will meet you at Wolf’s Point today at sundown. Do not be late.*
*- Orion, King of Lycans*
Today. Sundown. Hours ago.
I looked up to see Maxwell kissing Rebecca, his hands on her still-flat stomach. She caught my eye over his shoulder and smiled that same cruel smile from my dreams.
She’d won. She’d kept the letter, made me miss my one chance at help, and now… now she carried what I had lost.
I walked out, leaving them to their celebration, the letter crumpling in my fist.
The Lycan King had been willing to help. And thanks to Rebecca, I’d missed my only chance to save my pack.