While the pack-link buzzed with celebration, a new recruit suddenly sent me a private message.
"Alpha Aurora, Lyra Nightshade is claiming in the group that half the territory belongs to her, and she's promising paid leave to the entire Tracker Den! She must have lost her mind from desperation—spouting such nonsense!"
She recalled the message almost immediately, but I had already seen it.
I'd long suspected Aurora had planted a spy within my team. Now I'd flushed them out.
I removed the new recruit from the pack-link without hesitation. She became the only member of the Tracker Den who wasn't officially banished.
Rowan Ashclaw had been with me the longest and knew my situation better than anyone.
Her voice came through the communication rune, heavy with worry.
"Den Mother, is it really wise to openly challenge the Alpha like this? I remember your family is struggling with resources too, and your mother's condition..." She sighed. "That night, you acted on impulse. You shouldn't have transferred those tribute marks to the pack treasury out of spite. You've essentially lost double what you gave!"
I understood better than anyone how crucial those marks were.
But if I wanted Aurora gone, I had to spend them.
Just as I was speaking, a call came through from my intended mate.
"Lyra Nightshade, have you lost your senses? Did you use my tribute seal to transfer five thousand marks to your pack?"
"Yes. My transfer limit was reached that day, so I used yours for five thousand. But I repaid you afterward using another seal."
Kael Stormhowl fell silent for a moment, then spoke coldly: "I find this disrespectful. And I've heard you've been banished from the pack. I think... perhaps we should sever our courtship."
Before I could respond, he ended the connection.
When I tried to reach him again, his communication rune had blocked my scent-signature entirely.
Back in my den, I lit a calming herb stick and inhaled slowly.
Banished and abandoned on the same day—I was probably the most wretched wolf in the territory.
Just then, my parents arrived unexpectedly.
They stepped through the threshold with worry etched across their faces. "Lyra, did you have a falling out with Aurora? Listen to us—gather some tribute gifts and go apologize to her immediately!"
I frowned. "How did you find out?"
My parents exchanged uneasy glances before my father finally spoke.