No.
Ryke kicked the shattered moon-urn so hard the fragments skidded across the stone floor, splintering against the wall. Runed ceramic burst like glass under a curse.
I couldn’t move. My breath locked in my chest. My body refused me.
Something ripped up my throat—too mangled to be a howl, too broken to be a cry.
Malven stepped into my space, his Alpha aura crushing. His hand clamped around my face, fingers digging into my jaw until bone screamed.
“Enough,” he snarled. “Enough of this disgrace.”
I stared at him. His face was carved from granite. No remorse. No mourning. Nothing.
“For a moment,” he said coldly, “I almost believed you. Almost pitied your little corpse.”
His thumb dragged along my jaw, scorching like brand-fire.
“But the Moonfang Healers sent proof. Crystal-recordings. Elian laughing. Sitting upright. The healer swore you exaggerated everything. Said you used the pup. Let him act worse just to harvest sympathy.”
A lie. Her lie.
My eyes slid past him—to the stairs.
Rivelle stood halfway up, fingers curled around the banister. Moonlight caught her gaze, and there it was—the faint smile at the corner of her lips. Quiet. Victorious.
She bought the visions. Paid the healer. Wove the story. And Malven swallowed it, as he always did.
They turned away. Rivelle rested her head on his shoulder, steps light, fragile.
“Come to bed, my Alpha,” she murmured. “I can’t breathe another moment near her.”
Ryke glanced back once, disgust flashing in his eyes—then lifted his chin and followed his mother like a trained cub.
Silence swallowed the den.
I stayed on the floor, palms torn and bleeding, gathering the last traces of my pup with hands that wouldn’t stop shaking.
Hours passed—or maybe the moon simply forgot to move.
I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t. I sat outside my chamber, knees drawn tight, dried blood crusted on my skin, salt still burning my tongue.
Past midnight, I heard coughing.
Then Malven’s voice—sharp, panicked.
“Rivelle. Look at me. Where does it hurt?”
I didn’t move.
Her cries thundered through the stone walls.
“I can’t breathe,” she gasped. “Malven—my chest, my womb—she cursed me. That urn! Ever since she brought death into this packhold, something’s choking me!”
Footsteps pounded. Malven swore.
“That witch.”
Rivelle’s voice dropped into a trembling whisper.
“I heard the servants… they said she bought poisonous herbs. Moon-bane meant for me. Maybe she hid it in the urn. Maybe she wanted me gone.” She sobbed softly. “I’m carrying your heir, Malven. I don’t want to die. Not me… not the pup.”
The door burst open.
Malven stormed toward me, fury thick as blood-mist.
He seized my wrist and hauled me up.
“You did this.”
My ankle twisted. Fire tore through my arm.
“You poisoned my den,” he roared. “You cursed her. You knew she carried my heir and still brought death under my roof.”
“I didn’t—”
He yanked me so hard my breath broke.
“She nearly died tonight! Is that what you want? Her dead?”
He dragged me into their chamber and shoved me forward.
“KNEEL.”
I stayed upright.
“I said kneel.”
“No.”
The slap cracked—stars exploding behind my eyes.
“On your knees.”
I stood.
He kicked the backs of my legs. Agony surged. I crashed down, skin splitting open again, blood staining the floorstones.
Rivelle reclined on the couch like a queen receiving tribute. Hair flawless. Belly rounded beneath silk. One hand pressed weakly to her chest—eyes sharp. Devouring.
“I don’t believe her,” she murmured. “She doesn’t sound remorseful. Make her louder, Malven. I want to hear her shatter.”
Malven loomed behind me, a shadow ready to crush.
“Apologize,” he hissed. “Until she forgives you.”
My lips shook. My voice broke.
“I’m sorry.”
Again.
“I’m sorry.”
Again—until my throat burned, until my voice split, until something inside me tore open and bled.
Rivelle rose slowly, clutching her belly, swaying.
“M-Malven… something’s wrong,” she whispered, terror perfectly rehearsed. “My womb… I think I’m bleeding—”
She collapsed neatly—straight into his arms.
He caught her instantly, clutching her as if she carried the last Alpha heir alive.
“Rivelle. My moon. Stay with me,” he choked, cradling her face. “Look at me. Don’t close your eyes. Breathe. Please—breathe.”
Her lashes fluttered like a saint struck down.
“Malven… I’m scared…”
He spun toward the hall and roared, his command shaking the den.
“GET THE CARRIAGE. NOW.”
