Chapter 18 The hospital smelled like silver antiseptic and sterile regret. I sat on the edge of the bed, the pain. in my leg dulled by medication-but not nearly enough to silence the howling in my chest. Lexie perched beside me, all soft smiles and gentle words. But I could smell the tension in her blood. She was trying too hard to be sweet, too calm. That was the thing about us wolves-no matter how human we tried to act, our emotions always had a scent. "My mother has... a temper," I muttered, breaking the silence. "I hope you won't take it to heart." Lexie tilted her head slightly, her eyes glistening with polished understanding. "She's your Luna mother. An elder. I won't take it personally." She didn't flinch. Didn't growl. She played her role well-just like she always had. I swallowed hard. The pack was already divided after Avelyn left, the bond between families snapping like brittle bone. My mother's rage toward Lexie had come fast and brutal, and part of me didn't blame her. She'd always loved Avelyn. And me? I'd destroyed that love, like everything else I touched. Still, guilt gnawed at my gut like a starved beast. I couldn't go back and fix what I'd done to Avelyn. But maybe I could do right by someone else. I looked at Lexie. "Once I'm discharged... let's get mated. You've stood by me when no one else would. I'll take responsibility for you." Her breath hitched, but only for a second. A trained response. Her lips curved into that practiced, gentle smile. "Alpha, you just ended a bond. The Pack Elders will frown upon another union so soon. Let's give it time." She placed her hand lightly over mine, her touch warm-but her scent said otherwise. I nodded slowly. "Thank you, Lexie. You're the only one who stayed." But even as I said it, I could feel it-that she was already looking past me. Past my broken leg. Past this room. Probably imagining the future with a stronger Alpha. A better one. And I... I deserved it. Avelyn's POV The café was quiet, nestled deep in neutral territory outside the pack's reach. It was a place rogues passed through, a place without scent markers, without allegiance. The kind of place I like these days, A kind of place Riven and the Ashton Pack own. Emily Nightbane sat across from me, her back rigid, her eyes tired but sharp. "Dear," she began, her voice weighed down by too many moons, "I heard everything. You and Darius... are you really sure it's over?" I met her gaze head-on, my wolf calmed beneath my skin. "Elder Luna, Darius's childhood 7:05 pm sweetheart was never me. It was always Lexie." Her brows furrowed. "I tried for three years. I gave him my bond. My body. My womb. But he never gave me his heart." I paused, letting my words settle like dust. "I don't love him anymore. Alpha Riven of Ashton Pack is my mate now." Emily stared at me like she was seeing me for the first time. And maybe she was. "That boy..." she exhaled, eyes narrowing. "No eyes at all. Completely bewitched by that snake." I reached into my clutch and pulled out a sleek silver card, embossed with runes. I slid it across the table. "This is the name of a healer from the mountain clans. They specialize in spinal and nerve regeneration. If you want to try saving Alpha Darius's leg, this is your best chance." Emily blinked at it, then picked it up. "You didn't have to..." "I didn't do it for him," I said, cutting her off. "I did it for Riven. Your Pack, the Nightbanes nam still sits on the Council, and I don't need my mate's enemies multiplying." She gave a sharp nod of understanding. No theatrics. Just old wolf pragmatism. But as she tucked the card away, her expression softened. "It's such a shame," she murmurec 'Three years mated, and still no child between you." stilled. 'He didn't tell you?" I asked, my voice was low. "I was pregnant. Last month." Emily's jaw slackened. 'I lost the pup." I inhaled slowly. "It wasn't an accident." Her hands shook slightly. "What... what do you mean?" told her. Everything. The stress. The betrayal. The fight. The fall. The moment I felt something break inside me-something that had nothing to do with my spine and everything to do with my soul. When I finished, Emily sat frozen, rage shimmering behind her eyes like fire behind frost. 'That witch," she whispered. "That girl will never set paw in my family again. Not while I stil draw breath." She looked at me then, fiercely, almost tenderly. "Avelyn... child... he wronged you. We all did. Bu f you ever need a favor, if you ever need anything, I swear by the Goddess-call on me." gave her a slow, solemn nod. This would likely be the last time we sat across from each othe as anything more than ghosts from the past. She stood and turned to leave. But before she made it through the door, I added one last thing. 'Oh, and Luna Emily..." I called softly. She glanced back. 'Lexie didn't run from her engagement years ago because she was scared of commitment. She found someone richer. More powerful. That's why she fled the territory." I leaned back, arms crossed. "As for why she's back now? I couldn't tell you. But I'd be very careful if I were you." Chapter 10 212 81.3% 7:05 pm The Elder Luna of the Nightbane Pack's mouth parted, but no words came. I didn't meet her gaze. Instead, I looked down at my tea-cold now-and exhaled through my nose. Let the war between wolves begin. I was no longer anyone's pawn. 7:05 pm