(Isara’s POV)
I did not hesitate. I walked straight into our chamber and began gathering my belongings. I did not yet know my next step, but I knew one thing clearly. I could not remain in this place any longer.
I moved without thinking, pulling gowns from their hooks, emptying carved drawers, folding everything into travel trunks.
“Isara?”
I froze.
Xavian’s voice came from the doorway. “What is happening? Why are you packing?”
Slowly, I turned to face him.
The moment he saw my face, his expression shifted. My eyes were swollen and red from crying. My cheeks were still wet.
“What is wrong?” He stepped toward me quickly. “Are you hurt? Tell me what happened.”
The worry in his voice made my stomach twist. He played his role perfectly. He sounded sincere.
I shook my head. “It is nothing,” I whispered hoarsely.
He moved closer, studying me. “It cannot be nothing. You have been weeping.”
I knew he would not let it go. So I lied.
“It’s just about Sariah,” I said, my voice breaking.
His brows pulled together. “Your foster mother? The seamstress who has been asleep in the healer’s hall since the carriage accident?”
I nodded. “The healers sent word. She grows weaker. They said she may not survive.”
For a heartbeat, relief flickered in his eyes.
Then it vanished, replaced with false sorrow.
“Oh, Isara.” He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. “I am sorry. I know she is dear to you.”
My skin crawled beneath his touch. The same hands that had ordered the deaths of my pups now held me as if he cared.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to shift and tear him apart.
But I stayed still. I let him embrace me.
“Xavian?” Brienne’s soft voice called from the doorway.
His body stiffened. He released me at once and hurried to her side.
“Are you well?” he asked her, true concern filling his tone. Not the false comfort he had given me.
Brienne smiled gently. “Yes. I only wished to know if you told Isara.”
Xavian turned back to me, his mood suddenly bright with excitement.
“Isara, Brienne carries wonderful news.”
I raised a brow. “Wonderful news?”
He nodded eagerly. “Yes. We will hold a celebration next week in the Alpha Hall. A grand gathering. My allies, trading partners, elders, everyone important will attend.”
I already knew. The pup inside Brienne. My mate’s pup growing in my sister’s womb. And I knew what he planned for me during that celebration.
“All of that for this news?” I asked calmly.
“Yes,” Brienne answered sweetly. “Xavian wished to do something meaningful for me. We are family, after all.”
A feast to honor the life created through the slaughter of my own unborn pups.
“There will be a private family dinner tonight first,” Xavian continued. “Only us and your parents. The large celebration follows next week. I have arranged everything already.”
“I am not interested,” I said flatly.
Brienne’s smile faltered. “But Isara…”
“I said I am not interested.”
Her face fell, eyes filling with tears.
“Isara,” Xavian snapped, irritation flashing across his features. “Your parents will attend. They expect you.”
“I cannot celebrate while Sariah lies dying,” I replied quietly, letting the lie fall easily from my lips.
“She is old,” Xavian said with a shrug. “She has lived her years. But this pup.” He rested his hand on Brienne’s stomach. “This is new life. A reason for joy.”
My fists clenched. Sariah had treated him like a son despite knowing I was not her blood. His coldness shocked me.
“Do not be selfish,” he continued. “Brienne wants to include you in something important.”
“I said no.”
Brienne’s tears spilled freely. “I only wished for us to stand together as a family. But if you despise me so much…” Her voice trembled.
“I am worried for Sariah,” I said, turning back to my packing.
“She was not your true mother,” Brienne murmured softly. “She was only…”
“Do not.” My voice turned sharp and cold. “Do not finish that sentence.”
Brienne flinched and clung to Xavian. “You see? She hates me. I try to be a loving sister, but she rejects me.”
“Enough,” Xavian said firmly. He faced me, eyes hard as stone. “You will attend the dinner tonight. And you will attend the gathering next week. That is final.”
“No,” I replied.
“Yes.” He stepped closer, his Alpha tone heavy with command. “You are my Luna. You will come, you will smile and you will support your sister. Do you understand?”
I looked at him. The male I had loved for eight long years. The father who had murdered our pups.
“Very well,” I said softly. “I will attend.”
Satisfaction flickered across his face. “Good. Dinner begins at the seventh hour.”
He placed an arm around Brienne and guided her away, whispering something that made her laugh lightly.
The door closed behind them.
I stood motionless, staring at the wood with cold fury burning inside me.
Xavian had no idea that a storm far greater than any he commanded was already rising against him.
