Cedar’s face hardened as his gaze shifted from her to Fern, whose expression had gone cold. Lavender could see it now—the fear in his eyes. Not of her, but of losing control. Of losing her.
“I don’t want this life,” Lavender said. “I don’t want a life where I’m just a shadow of someone else’s dream. I am not yours to claim. Not anymore.”
Fern stepped forward, her lips curling into a tight smile, but Lavender saw the fury hidden behind her eyes. She had been playing this game for too long, and now, it was time for her to take what she thought was hers.
“I won’t be here anymore, Cedar,” Lavender continued. “I won’t stand by and watch you tear me apart."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Cedar’s lips parted, as if he were about to say something, but the words never came. Instead, his eyes flashed with not just surprise but a flicker of panic.
For some reason, he felt the solid pain of the rejection even though he wasn't yet accepting it. He felt as if his soul was taken away in an instant. He didn't even see this one coming.
"H-How?" was the only question he managed to stammer out.
"You don't remember, do you?" Lavender chuckled bitterly. "I am a lunar wolf. I can reject my mate without their consent, and I have chosen to do so."
“Don’t do this." Cedar stood up slowly, unwrapping his arms around Fern. "We can work through it. I can fix this.”
“No.” Lavender shook her head. “I don’t need you to fix it. I don’t need you to make it better. I need to be free.”
Cedar’s mouth opened to counter, but then howls echoed through the forest. It was a sound of pure terror, and Lavender’s wolf growled dangerously in her mind.
“They are coming,” she whispered with closed eyes.
As the howls echoed through the night, Fern’s instincts kicked in. She didn’t hesitate. Without a word, she turned and bolted from the center of the room, her eyes scanning the crowd for Kane. Her mind raced with excitement. This was the moment she’d been planning for—the moment when everything would finally fall into place.
She quickly made her way through the guests, searching the edge of the hall where she knew he would be. And there he was. Kane, the Beta of the Bloodfang pack, stands tall and proud near the shadows. When their eyes met, he smiled, his dark eyes full of knowing.
Fern didn’t waste any time. She moved toward him quickly, giggling like a schoolgirl as she approached.
Without warning, she kissed him fiercely, a kiss full of heat and purpose. Kane kissed her back, his hands gripping her waist as he pulled her closer.
When they finally pulled apart, Kane grinned. "The Shadowfelt pack won’t stand a chance. You’re sure about this?”
Fern smiled back, her heart filled with satisfaction. “We’re going to destroy them. After tonight, you’ll be the Alpha, and I’ll be your Luna. Shadowfelt will be ours.”
Kane’s grin grew wider. “And what do I have to pay for all of this?”
Fern leaned in close. “All I ask for is your loyalty. When we take over, you’ll be the Alpha of both packs. Together, we’ll rule them all.”
Kane looked pleased with the offer. “That’s all I need. You have my loyalty, Fern.”
Her lips curled into a satisfied smile, but a flicker of caution passed through Kane’s eyes. “What about Cedar? He won’t just step aside.”
Fern’s smile turned colder. “Cedar won’t have a choice. After tonight, he’ll be gone. The pack will be yours. I’ll make sure of it.”
Kane’s eyes softened with reassurance, but he held Fern’s gaze for a moment longer. “Then let’s do this.”
Fern nodded. She turned her attention to one of the Bloodfang warriors in the shadows, sending a quick mindlink. “Take the silver bullet and shoot Kane. Right in the heart.”
The warrior’s face went blank for a moment before he nodded. “Yes, Luna.”
Without a second glance, he disappeared into the shadows. Kane, still unaware of what was happening, looked at Fern. His expression was full of confidence. “We’re unstoppable now. I can't believe we can easily take down the Alpha with this plan. But it's all because of you."
Fern didn’t respond right away. She just watched him for a long moment, a small smile playing on her lips.
Suddenly, the Bloodfang warrior emerged from the shadows, holding a crossbow aloft. He didn’t hesitate. The silver bullet shot through the air, striking Kane in the chest.
Kane gasped, his eyes widening in shock as the pain hit him. His hand shot to his chest, but it was too late. Blood seeped from the wound, his legs giving way as he collapsed to the ground.
Fern's heart remained steady. She watched calmly as Kane’s body hit the floor, his breaths shallow and strained. Kane’s eyes locked with hers, confusion and disbelief written all over his face. “Fern… What…?”
“Sorry, Kane,” Fern said softly. Her angelic face was so innocent-looking that it looked more scary than beautiful at that moment. “I prefer an Alpha like Cedar.”
Kane’s breath hitched, and he tried to push himself up, but his body was already growing weaker. “I thought we… I thought you—”
Fern crouched beside him. “You were always just a tool to me, Kane. I needed you for a time, but now you’re useless.”
Kane gasped for air. “You… You lied… I—”
“No,” Fern interrupted. “I didn’t lie. You just didn’t see it. You were always meant to fall. Now, die like the Beta you always were.”
Kane’s hand fell to the ground, his body going limp as life left him. Fern watched, unblinking, as his last breath escaped him. The blood from the silver bullet stained his chest, and his eyes glazed over in death.
She stood up, looking down at him with no emotion. There was no sense of guilt or remorse in her. This was just the next step in her plan. Now with Kane out of the way, the path was clear.
Fern turned to the warrior who had taken the shot. “Good job. Now, make sure no one knows it was me. Keep it quiet for now. We don’t need any distractions.”
The warrior nodded and disappeared into the shadows as Fern turned her back on Kane’s body. The pack was still fighting outside, the howls of battle ringing through the night.
But Fern didn’t care about that anymore. She had what she needed. The Shadowfelt pack was on the brink of destruction, and soon it would be hers. She would be the Luna. And no one, not even Lavender, would stand in her way.
