“As one of Alpha's mother wolves,you dare sneak around behind the Alpha with a guard and even carry your bastard pup?”

“How desperate do you have to be for heat?”

“Just look at you,” another snarled, her lip curling.

“You’re filthy to the core.A born low-blood.”

“Wolves like you belong in the border dens,spread for any rogue that passes —not here, poisoning the Alpha’s territory!”

Their words sliced into me like cold steel.

Only then did I finally understand.

The shameless she-wolf they were talking about—was me.

My expression went ice cold.

“Watch your mouth,” I said, my voice low and trembling.

“I am the Alpha’s—”

Before I could finish,Before I could even say the name "Luna"Lyra’s hand came down again.

Another brutal slap.

“You worthless mutt,” she snapped, her eyes burning.

“In front of me, you think YOU get to claim rank?”

“Are you trying to die?”

The force knocked me backward,hot pain bursting across my cheek.

For a second the world tilted.

Thankfully, Willow reacted fast, catching me before I fell.

“Have you lost your minds?!How dare you—”

She stepped forward, trying to shield me.

But before she could finish, Lyra seized her by the hair.

“Since when do servants get to open their filthy mouths when ranked she-wolves are speaking?”

She yanked Willow’s head back painfully and turned to the others beside her.

“Teach this stupid bitch her place.Show her what pack discipline means.”

The females moved without hesitation.

Claws, fists, boots.

They fell on Willow.Over and over.

In just moments,her body collapsed against the stone floor,blood staining the cracks,her breathing shallow, her eyes unfocused.

My heart twisted.

I had spent months in seclusion for my pregnancy,but even I had heard of Lyra.

A new-ranked female.

Her brother was a dominant war-leader from the northern territories.

A vicious wolf known for crushing rivals.

With her looks, her bloodline,and the Alpha’s temporary attention…she had risen fast.

Too fast.

After securing her position,she even pulled in several she-wolves from noble bloodlines,forming her own inner circle.

They followed her like loyal dogs.

Together, they controlled territory resources,issued rules in the name of “pack order,”and eliminated anyone who didn’t kneel.

Rumors spread.

She-wolves who once caught the Alpha’s eye were framed, exiled, or thrown into the lower dens.

Some lived trembling lives.Some ended their own.