Elara POV
The storm raged for three days. I spent every waking moment on my knees, praying.
Caleb visited on the fourth night, smelling of wine and Selene's sickening floral scent. There was no love in his eyes, only a dark, twisted need. He threw me on the bed, tearing at my clothes. The Mate bond pulsed weakly—a dying ember. I endured, tears soaking the pillows.
A knock echoed. "Alpha! Lady Selene's pup is restless!"
Caleb stopped and rushed out without a word.
Three days later, I walked into the rose garden. Selene sat on a stone bench, wearing a low-cut dress. On the juncture of her neck and shoulder was a fresh, deep bite mark. The Marking. My mate had marked another woman.
That afternoon, Caleb kicked my door open with two massive Warriors. "Grab her!"
"Her hands are a ruin of blisters," he hissed, kneeling beside me. "She claims you served her tea laced with silver."
Silver—the deadliest weapon against our kind. It burned flesh, poisoned blood, stopped healing.
"I did not! I have not left this wing!"
"You are jealous. Break her right arm."
"No! Caleb, please!"
One Warrior pinned me down. The other drew a heavy iron rod gleaming with silver plating. It came crashing down. The sound of my own bones snapping echoed through the room. A raw, bloody scream tore from my throat as silver burned into my shattered bones, sending agonizing fire through my chest.
Caleb watched blankly, then walked out.
I lay in my own vomit, convulsing.
Faye rushed in, her hands covered in mud and blood. "A messenger arrived from the south. Gamma Kael's unit was ambushed by rogues. He is dead. They said the wild wolves tore him apart. No bones left to bring home."
My brother. Dead. Eaten. Gone. I coughed dark crimson blood. My wolf let out a long, mournful howl of pure despair.
My vision faded to black.
