The Crimson Fang Pack house was eerily quiet as I slipped through the shadows, my heart pounding against my ribs. Three days had passed since my escape, and I needed to retrieve my mother's Luna amulet—the last connection to my royal heritage. I hadn't anticipated finding the pack in such chaos.
Voices drifted from Kyren's study—urgent, excited whispers that made me freeze in my tracks.
"The documents are flawless," Melody's voice purred with satisfaction. "No one would ever question their authenticity."
I pressed myself against the wall, straining to hear more.
"Are you certain these rituals are correct?" Kyren's voice held an edge of desperation. "The Alpha King's bloodline is notoriously protective of their traditions."
Melody laughed—a sound so cold it sent shivers down my spine. "I lived with Jane's family for years, remember? I watched every ceremony, memorized every ritual. These forged documents will convince even the most skeptical elder."
My blood ran cold. She was using her time as an Omega in my father's household against me—against my entire family.
"The Silverfang Alliance insignia is perfect," Kyren murmured, awe evident in his voice. "And the bloodline certificate..."
"Signed with the royal seal I created from watching Jane's father use his," Melody finished proudly. "I've been planning this for years, Kyren. Everything is in place."
I risked a glance around the corner. Melody stood before the pack elders, her posture regal as she displayed a collection of ancient-looking scrolls and documents. The room smelled of aged parchment and ink—scents that should have triggered suspicion but instead seemed to impress the assembled wolves.
"These prove beyond doubt that I—not Jane—am the true heir to the Alpha King," Melody announced, her voice carrying the practiced authority I'd once helped her develop. "The illegitimate daughter of Alpha King Bruce, hidden from the world until now."
Kyren's eyes gleamed with ambition as he examined the documents. I could see the calculations running behind his gaze—the political power, the alliances, the strength a connection to the Silverfang Alliance would bring.
"This changes everything," he breathed, reaching for Melody's hand. "If you are truly of royal blood..."
"I am," she insisted, squeezing his fingers. "And with me as your Luna, we can claim what we deserve."
The elders murmured among themselves, examining the forged evidence. I watched in horror as they nodded in acceptance, one by one.
"Then it's settled," Kyren declared, his voice ringing with newfound confidence. "I officially name Melody as Luna of the Crimson Fang Pack."
The announcement sent a ripple through the room. Some faces showed confusion, others excitement. But no one questioned the validity of Melody's claim.
"Long live Luna Melody," the elders chanted, bowing their heads in submission.
I backed away silently, my mind racing. This was worse than I'd imagined—not just betrayal, but a calculated coup using my own family's legacy as ammunition.
---
Two weeks later, I watched from the shadows as Melody strutted through the pack house, her new authority evident in every step. The Luna amulet—my mother's amulet—gleamed at her throat, a theft that made my wolf howl with rage.
"Another shipment ready for transport," she instructed a young Delta, gesturing to crates being loaded onto trucks. "And make sure the armory inventory reflects these... adjustments."
The Delta nodded eagerly. "Yes, Luna. Though I'm curious—why are we moving so much of our weaponry to the southern territory?"
Melody's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Pack security, of course. We need to strengthen our borders."
But I knew better. The southern territory was notorious rogue land—lawless and dangerous. No legitimate pack would send valuable weapons there.
I followed the trucks at a safe distance, watching as they disappeared down the winding mountain road. When I returned to observe the pack house, I noticed something even more disturbing—financial documents left carelessly on an officer's desk.
The numbers told a story of systematic theft. Large transfers to offshore accounts, weapons shipments marked as "training supplies," and funds diverted from essential pack programs.
Melody was bleeding the Crimson Fang Pack dry.
I slipped back into the forest, my mind racing with possibilities. The pack's strength was measured in its resources—its weapons, its finances, its people. With each passing day, Melody was weakening them all.
The irony wasn't lost on me. While Kyren dreamed of power through his false connection to the Silverfang Alliance, his pack was becoming vulnerable from within.
And I had the perfect opportunity to watch it all crumble before I delivered the final blow.
