Brexon stood in the center—broad-shouldered, commanding, radiating Alpha dominance in a black ceremonial cloak embroidered with silver runes. At his side, Lyssa—his former mate—stood draped in a blood-red gown that shimmered under the moon crystals. Her arm curled around his like she owned him. She glowed. She smiled.
As if she hadn’t stolen everything from me.
As if my pup wasn’t still warm in my memory.
Rage roared up my spine, primal and uncontrollable.
I didn’t think.
I shifted forward—fast.
My claws dug into Lyssa’s cheek with a sharp crack that sliced through the ballroom. Gasps erupted as her head snapped to the side, her eyes widening before she quickly masked the expression.
“Arwen.” Brexon’s voice cut through the air—a warning growl. Sharp. Cold.
But I wasn’t done.
“How dare you?” My voice shook, my wolf pacing beneath my skin. “You stand here celebrating while my daughter—our daughter—rests in sacred ground?”
My throat burned, but I didn’t care. I turned on him fully, fury scorching through me. “You didn’t even give me a moon cycle to grieve, Brexon. Not even a moon cycle. And now you parade your little serpent around like she’s Luna of this pack?”
Lyssa gasped, then whimpered softly. Tears spilled down her cheeks, making her look like the perfect wounded mate.
“Moon save me!” she cried dramatically, covering the three claw marks on her cheek, fresh blood streaking down her skin. “She attacked me! She clawed me in front of the leaders of the other packs!”
She trembled violently, shoulders shaking as her tears fell. “Brexon, please,” she sobbed, reaching for him like a helpless omega. “Make her stop.”
Brexon’s jaw tightened, his alpha aura rippling with barely restrained aggression. And then—a small figure darted past the guards.
Orrin.
The pup launched himself at me, his tiny fists slamming into my stomach with surprising strength for a young wolf.
“You monster!” he screamed, his face twisted with feral rage. “You hurt my mama! You’re a bad wolf! My papa doesn’t love you anymore!”
He kicked me—hard.
Pain shot through my ribs, but I barely had time to react before his fists came down again, wild and furious. Tears streamed down his flushed cheeks, his little body shaking with anger.
“I hate you! I hate you!” he cried. “You should be cast out from the pack forever!”