On the third day, Tharina left the healer’s hall despite the healers trying to stop her. She still had a final trial to attend.
This was something she had prepared for her unborn pup. It was the path she would use to build a future for both of them.
Behind the stage of the grand hall, she crossed paths with Elodie Wildmoor.
Elodie walked past her slowly, her eyes filled with victory.
"Tharina, you didn’t expect to see me here, right? It doesn’t matter that you grew up with him. It doesn’t matter that you stayed by his side when he was wounded. In the end, you lost everything. His body, his heart, and your place as Luna. All of it belongs to me now."
She paused, her smile widening.
"And today, I will take the last thing you have left."
The final trial followed a random order. Elodie was called before Tharina.
She stepped onto the stage and revealed her work. The moment Tharina saw it, her blood turned cold.
The pieces Elodie presented were the Midnight Bloodstone series.
Elodie held the speaking stone and calmly explained every idea and meaning behind the designs. Every word was taken from the thoughts Tharina had spent countless nights shaping under the moon.
Among the crowd, Malven sat in the front, within the honored seats. Pride showed clearly on his face.
"Elodie has true talent," he said.
The judges nodded, their voices filled with approval.
Tharina felt her mind go empty. She never thought Malven would take something she had created with her own hands and give it to another.
Her name was called several times before she finally stepped forward.
She walked onto the stage, took a slow breath, and faced the crowd. Her voice was steady.
"Honored judges, greetings. I am Tharina Steelhowl. The Midnight Bloodstone collection belongs to me. What Lady Elodie Wildmoor has shown is a direct copy of my work."
The hall broke into noise the moment she finished speaking.
The judges looked at one another, unsure. Their eyes moved toward Malven, waiting for his decision.
Malven rose slowly. His gaze fell on Tharina, cold and sharp.
"Tharina, what are you doing?"
He looked at her with clear displeasure.
"Look at yourself. Causing a scene in front of everyone. You still call yourself a Luna? This is shameful."
Tharina swallowed the pain rising within her.
"I am causing a scene? You took the work I created through endless nights and handed it to your chosen one. And I am the one at fault?"
Malven’s face didn’t change.
"Is your heart so narrow? Just because you are bound to me, no other woman can stand beside me? When did you become like this?"
Tharina let out a laugh.
"Who changed, Malven? You or me?"
"In your eyes, I have no value. Of course. You cannot even remember what you once promised."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"You said you would love me until your last day. It seems that day came sooner than I thought."
She turned to Elodie, who stood there with satisfaction clear in her eyes. A faint smile touched Tharina’s lips.
Then, before anyone could react, she walked to the fire station at the side, took the extinguisher, and struck it down onto the display.
The fake pieces shattered across the floor.
Elodie screamed as soon as she understood what had happened. Her supporters rushed forward, shouting and cursing at Tharina.
The hall fell into chaos. Tharina was surrounded and pushed to the ground.
Malven’s first reaction was to pull Elodie close and lead her away from the crowd.
Tharina curled on the floor, both hands pressed over her lower abdomen as objects struck her body. Pain spread through her, but she didn’t move her hands.
Only when the guards forced the crowd back was she pulled away. Her hair was a mess, her clothes ruined, and a thin line of blood ran from her forehead.
Reporters raised their recording devices, capturing every moment. Voices filled the air with mockery and harsh words.
Tharina seemed not to hear any of it. She simply stood and walked forward, step by step, toward the exit without stopping.
