Lavender rushed to her bedroom. The moment the door closed behind her, she grabbed her laptop and opened it. If Fern was planning something so catastrophic, there had to be breadcrumbs somewhere. The pack might have been good at keeping their secrets from humans, but blending into the human world meant there were always traces—social media, school records, photos.
Her fingers swiftly navigated the keyboard, inputting Fern Everly. At first, it was the usual: her basic information, school records showing she had graduated from a prestigious private academy, and a public-facing job profile that boasted of her involvement in charity events and community outreach.
Lavender scoffed. “Of course, you look perfect on paper.”
Then she clicked on Fern’s social media accounts. What she saw painted a very different picture. Fern was active across multiple platforms, her pages filled with glamorous selfies, group photos, and snapshots of her at extravagant parties. She was a social butterfly, always surrounded by people, always the center of attention.
The posts were curated, of course—everything perfectly polished—but Lavender had learned to read between the lines. In one photo, Fern clinked glasses with a group of equally glamorous friends, the caption reading: To another victory! Lavender frowned. What kind of victory?
As she dug deeper, a particular post caught her eye. It was a picture of Fern in a dimly lit bar, leaning into a man whose face was partly obscured. Her head was thrown back in laughter, a drink in hand, while the man’s arm wrapped around her waist. In another shot, she was seated on his lap, her fingers playfully resting on his chest.
There was a video attached to the post. Lavender clicked it as her hands trembled. The audio was muffled, but the man’s voice was unmistakable—the same cold, deep tone she’d heard in her mind during their conversation.
“That’s him,” Lavender whispered.
She paused the video, her eyes narrowing as she studied the man’s face. He was rugged, with sharp features. Something about him felt dangerous, predatory.
With a sinking feeling, Lavender went back to Fern’s friends list, scrolling quickly. There he was. His name was Kane Blackthorn, and his profile wasn’t private. Lavender clicked on it and felt her stomach drop. Kane was a werewolf too, and according to his profile, he was from the Bloodfang Pack.
The Bloodfang Pack.
Her breath stopped. Cedar’s father had crushed the Bloodfang Pack in a brutal battle years ago, driving most of them out of the territory and scattering the survivors. They had been enemies of the Shadowpelt Pack for decades.
Fern wasn’t just working with an outsider. She was working with a sworn enemy.
Lavender’s hands trembled as she saved every photo, video, and post she could find. She transferred everything to a flash drive, knowing she needed proof to confront Cedar.
With her evidence secured, she didn’t waste another second. She stormed out of her room and headed straight for Cedar’s office.
The door was slightly ajar, and she pushed it open without knocking. Cedar was sitting behind his desk, papers scattered everywhere, his brow furrowed as he went over pack logistics.
“Cedar,” Lavender began.
He didn’t look up. “Not now, Lavender. I’m busy.”
“This is important,” she said, stepping closer.
Cedar finally raised his head. “I said, not now. Whatever it is, it can wait.”
“It can’t,” Lavender insisted. “Fern is planning something dangerous. She’s working with someone from the Bloodfang Pack.”
At the mention of Fern’s name, Cedar’s expression hardened. “Don’t start this again.”
“I have proof,” Lavender pressed, holding up the flash drive. “Photos, videos—everything. Fern and this man, Kane, they’re plotting against you, against the entire pack!”
Cedar’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he stood. “Enough!” he barked. I won’t listen to you slander Fern. She’s been nothing but loyal to this pack.”
“She’s lying to you!” Lavender shouted back. “She doesn’t care about this pack. She’s trying to destroy it!”
Cedar’s eyes flashed with anger. “One more word against her, and I’ll have you locked up for insubordination. Do you understand me?”
Lavender stared at him. He didn’t believe her. Worse, he was so blinded by whatever spell Fern had cast over him that he refused to even look at the evidence.
Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the office.
How could he be so blind? How could he threaten her when all she was trying to do was protect the pack?
As she paced the hallway, trying to calm her racing thoughts, one name came to mind: Flint. The Beta was loyal to the pack above all else. If anyone would listen to her, it would be him.
Without hesitation, she made her way to Flint’s quarters. She knocked once, then twice, before the door swung open. Flint stood there, his brow furrowed in concern.
“Luna? What’s wrong?”
