Lavender turned to see him striding toward them, his eyes wide with confusion and anger. Fern immediately crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks as she clutched her stomach.
“Cedar!” she cried. “Lavender hurt me! I only told her I was pregnant, and she slapped me!”
Cedar froze. His gaze darted to Fern’s tear-streaked face, then to Lavender, still dripping wet and glaring at Fern. The word "pregnant" struck him sharply, causing his expression to shift from shock to fury.
“Is it true?” he demanded. “Did you hit her?”
“She pushed me first,” Lavender said quietly, her voice tight. “I—”
But Cedar didn’t let her finish. His hand grabbed her arm roughly, dragging her toward the house. “How could you? How could you hurt her? She’s carrying my child!”
Lavender’s heart twisted at his words, but she said nothing. She didn’t resist as he pulled her into their bedroom and slammed the door shut.
“You’re cruel,” he hissed, his face inches from hers. “You’re so bitter and jealous, you’d hurt an innocent woman? A pregnant woman?”
"She did it on purpose, Cedar. I was avoiding her, but she cornered me and started the fight!"
Cedar’s anger boiled over. He slapped her, the sting sharp against her cheek. Then again, and again. Each blow shattered something inside her, but she didn’t cry, didn’t flinch. She accepted the pain, earning it to kill the remaining love she had for him. Even as the room began to spin, she didn't fight back.
When he was done, he stood there, breathing hard, his eyes filled with disgust. “You’re evil. I'm regretting that day I met you. You're not the woman I fell in love with."
Lavender didn’t respond. She only stared at him, letting the hatred in her heart grow stronger.
Lavender stood still as the white smoke swirled around her, thick and otherworldly. It carried the faint scent of herbs and moonlight, wrapping her in its embrace. She closed her eyes, her senses heightened, her heart beating steadily. The air felt alive, humming with power, as if the forest itself were watching, waiting for her transformation.
Her skin prickled, a tingling sensation spreading from her fingertips to her toes. She felt every breath, every heartbeat, as if they were magnified a hundredfold.
For so long, Lavender had carried the weight of rejection, betrayal, and loneliness. The memories of Cedar's betrayal flared in her mind—the cold nights she had endured, the mocking laughter of Fern that cut deeper than any physical wound. Those memories had been chains, binding her to a life she no longer wanted, but tonight, those chains were breaking.
Without warning, a sharp gust cut through the haze, and she sensed movement. Dahlia’s attack came swift and precise, but Lavender’s instincts kicked in. Her body twisted, narrowly dodging the healer’s strike even as her eyes remained closed. The sound of Dahlia’s movements echoed in her mind, guiding her as though she could see with her ears.
Dahlia lunged again, and this time Lavender wasn’t fast enough. Pain seared across her arms and legs as Dahlia’s claws cut into her skin. Lavender gasped. For a moment, doubt crept in. Was she truly ready? Could she overcome everything that had been holding her back? But before panic could take hold, she placed her hands over the wounds, her palms glowing faintly. Warmth spread from her touch, and in moments, the cuts closed, leaving no trace behind. She stared at her healed skin, the glow fading as quickly as it had appeared. This was her power. Not borrowed, not given by anyone else. It was hers.
A calm certainty washed over her as she opened her eyes. The bruises Cedar had left on her heart—his lies, his betrayal—no longer held power over her. She felt lighter, as if she had shed a heavy coat she hadn’t realized she was wearing. Her breaths came easier, her steps steadier.
Then it happened. Her senses sharpened beyond anything she’d ever known. The forest came alive around her, every sound and movement suddenly crystal clear. She could hear voices, distant but distinct, from the farthest reaches of the pack’s territory.
Lavender turned to Dahlia. For a moment, she was stunned. She didn’t just see the healer; she felt her. Thoughts swirled in Dahlia’s mind, and Lavender could hear them as clearly as spoken words.
She’s done it. She’s truly embraced her destiny.
A gasp escaped Lavender’s lips. She could read minds now and see into the hearts of others. The intimacy of it was startling, yet it felt right, as if this was always meant to be part of her. Tears welled in her eyes, not from sorrow but pure joy.
“I did it,” she whispered. “I’m free.”
Dahlia stepped forward, pulling her into a warm embrace. “You’re a newborn healer,” she said, rubbing her niece's back. "I know you will do great things with this gift."
Lavender tightly held onto her, allowing the tears to flow freely. For the first time in years, she felt whole, unbroken, and ready to step into the life she was always meant to live. But as the embrace ended, she looked down at her hands, trembling slightly, and felt the weight of her new reality settle over her. This was a rebirth, yes, but it was also the beginning of a new battle.
The voices in the distance still called to her. She could hear the laughter of the pups near the packhouse and the quiet murmurs of elders deep in conversation.
But she could also hear the simmering discontent of others, those who doubted her worth, who whispered about her in the shadows.
Lavender froze as a new voice drifted into her mind. Her chest tightened when she recognized Fern’s sharp, cutting tone. But it wasn’t Cedar she was talking to. The other voice was unfamiliar. Deep, steady, and cold. Lavender focused harder, sharpening her senses more as the conversation went on, like she was standing right there with them.
“You’ve got everything ready, right? I don’t want anyone catching wind of this before we make our move.”
“It’s all set. By tomorrow night, the pack’s defenses will crumble. They won’t know what hit them.”
"Good. Cedar and his precious Shadowpelt Pack have ruled long enough. When he’s out of the way, they’ll have no choice but to follow me.”
“What about his Luna? She might be more trouble than you think. The pack might rally around her if she gets in the way.”
“Lavender? Don’t make me laugh. She’s pathetic. Cedar’s barely holding onto her as it is. She’ll stay in the background like she always does. She doesn’t have the guts to fight back.”
“Still, if she gets involved—”
“Then deal with her. Make it clean, make it quiet. Nobody will miss her. By the time anyone notices, I’ll be in charge, and you’ll have what I promised.”
“You’d better make good on those promises, Fern. I’m not sticking my neck out for nothing.”
“Don’t worry. Once Cedar and his loyalists are gone, the pack’s resources will be mine—and yours.”
Lavender’s hands trembled as the conversation ended, her heart pounding so loudly it felt like it might burst from her chest. She struggled to process what she had just heard. Fern wasn’t just bitter or cruel. She was a traitor. She wanted to destroy the pack, to take everything Cedar had built, and she was willing to spill blood to do it.
The cold, calculated way Fern spoke made Lavender’s stomach turn. It wasn’t just about Cedar anymore. Fern’s betrayal could destroy the entire pack, and she had no idea who this outsider was or how far his reach extended.
“Lavender,” Dahlia said gently, stepping closer. Her steady hand rested on Lavender’s arm, grounding her. “What’s wrong?”
Lavender blinked and turned to Dahlia. “Fern is planning to attack the pack. She’s working with someone. An outsider. They’re going to take down Cedar and everyone who stands in their way.”
Dahlia’s expression darkened. “Did you hear exactly what they said?”
Lavender nodded. “She wants Cedar dead. She thinks I’m too weak to do anything about it. She told him—” Her voice broke for a moment, anger and hurt mingling. “She told him to kill me too if I get in the way.”
