Ellen's POV
“Yes,” I replied, my voice slicing through the quiet like the edge of a dagger. My face remained emotionless, though inside I relished the hint of fear that flickered in Jaime’s eyes. He paced the room in agitation, his steps erratic, resembling a wild animal trapped in a cage, desperately seeking a way out. “Terry is gone, Jaime. Who will now claim the Blackthorn legacy?”
He halted abruptly and turned to face me, his features softening into a practiced look of false warmth. Once upon a time, that expression might have convinced me. But not anymore.
“My Luna, Ellen,” he murmured, his voice oozing artificial sweetness. He reached out to take my hand, his gesture deliberate, every move choreographed. “We’re both mourning. Terry was our world. Don’t you think it’s too early? I’m just not ready—”
“Is that really why?” I interrupted, my tone sharp and low like a blade sliding between ribs.
His carefully built mask cracked for a second. His jaw locked, and a hardness entered his eyes. “You don’t grasp the weight of grief,” he barked, the bitterness in his voice catching me off guard. “Did you even care for her? Or is this just another power play for your Luna title? Barely two months since her death, and you're already talking about replacements? It’s vile. Cold-hearted.”
The words pierced me, but I didn’t let it show. I forced tears to form, letting them shine in my eyes, and made my voice shake deliberately. “How dare you question how much I loved her? I devoted every part of myself to Terry—everything!” I paused, then softened my voice ever so slightly. “But I’m not just a grieving mother, Jaime. I carry the title of Luna. We are exposed without an heir. The council has made that painfully clear.”
He let out a hollow, bitter chuckle, his eyes scanning me with growing disdain. “The council,” he repeated with a sneer. “They’re obsessed with bloodlines and protocol. They couldn’t care less about our loss. About Terry. About us.”
There was no “us” anymore, but I left that unsaid. Instead, I stepped closer, pressing a hand to his chest, pushing down the nausea rising in me.
“Jaime,” I murmured, voice quivering with feigned fragility, “if we don’t take action soon, the Moonstone’s power will dwindle. Blackthorn will crumble.”
He stared at me for several long moments, his expression unreadable. Then he stepped away. “Fine,” he muttered reluctantly. “We’ll talk more about this after the council meeting. I need to prepare.”
I watched him go, my gaze hard and unyielding.
---
Days slipped by, then weeks. Jaime continuously dodged any conversation about having another child. His excuses were thin, worn, and unconvincing. I saw the truth clearly—he never planned to do what the role demanded.
The council’s warning echoed in my mind—without an heir within two years, I would forfeit my position as Luna. Worse, the Moonstone’s protective strength, shared between the Blackthorn and Brightstone packs, would become compromised.
One afternoon, I came home to the packhouse earlier than usual. The sight that greeted me froze the blood in my veins. Velma emerged from the master bedroom, her complexion ghostly and her hair a mess. Jaime appeared behind her, his shirt halfway open. For a brief moment, his face betrayed panic before he quickly composed himself.
“Luna Ellen,” Velma said shakily, avoiding my stare.
Jaime jumped in too fast, his tone overly casual. “It’s nothing,” he said, flashing that detestable smile. “Velma was just—”
“Don’t waste your breath,” I cut in sharply, my voice like frost. I turned and began walking away. “I’m heading to the Blackfang territory. They requested assistance with the border conflict. Let the council know I’ll be managing the matter personally.”
I heard him call out after me, his voice laced with desperation—but I didn’t turn back.
---
The journey to Blackfang was perilous. Rogues had been spotted roaming near the territory, and two warriors were assigned to protect me. Surprisingly, Jaime had offered to accompany me—his sudden display of care made every instinct scream in warning. “When you return,” he had said smoothly, “we’ll begin trying for another child.”
Was that a promise—or a threat?
Two days into the journey, our group was ambushed. The attack came without warning, swift and silent. Shadows darted between trees. Beta Dhan yelled for me to escape, raising his sword to intercept the attackers. I nodded and bolted, running into the forest. I wasn’t far when searing pain stopped me in my tracks—a sudden arrow embedded in my abdomen. I looked down, horrified, as blood blossomed across my clothes.
From the darkness, Jaime emerged. A bow rested in his grip, a sinister smile twisting his features.
“Jaime,” I gasped, my voice a thread. “You... how could you?”
He tilted his head, mocking me. “How?” he repeated, amused. “Because you’ve always been so gullible, Ellen. And I can’t have you running to the council, ruining my plans over a meaningless affair.”
I tried to shift into my wolf form, but my body refused. Poison laced the arrow’s tip—I could feel it draining my strength, paralyzing me. I stumbled forward, agony coursing through me as I struggled to remain upright.
Jaime raised the bow again, drawing back another arrow, this one aimed directly at my heart.
“You’ll regret this,” I hissed through gritted teeth, every word heavy with rage.
He smiled with savage delight, a predator savoring the inevitable. “Farewell, my Luna.”
The arrow flew, striking true. Darkness crept in, swallowing the world around me. But as my body gave in, my mind clung to a singular, burning vow: You will pay for this, Jaime. I swear it on everything that remains.
