Chapter 3

I strode into the Council chamber with my head held high, the scent of betrayal still fresh in my nostrils. The grand oak doors closed behind me with a resonant thud as I took my place at the curved table where pack representatives gathered monthly to discuss territory matters. Today's agenda: hunting quotas for the coming season.

My gaze swept across the faces turned expectantly toward me. Marcus's seat remained conspicuously empty—his third absence from Council in as many weeks.

"Alpha Marcus sends his regrets," Beta Wilson announced, not quite meeting my eyes. "A security matter at the northern border required his immediate attention."

Another lie. Another "emergency" that conveniently required his presence elsewhere. I nodded graciously, the perfect picture of an understanding Luna.

"Then we shall proceed without him," I replied, my voice steady and clear. "The hunting quotas affect all packs equally, and decisions cannot wait."

Luna, my wolf, growled softly within me. *He's with her again. While you do his duties.*

*I know*, I answered silently. *And everyone in this room suspects it too.*

I rose from my seat, moving to the center of the chamber where the territorial maps were displayed. Without the wolfsbane clouding my senses, I could feel the subtle shifts in the room—the respect in some gazes, the pity in others. They were beginning to see what I had been blind to for months: my mate's disregard for his responsibilities.

"The deer population has recovered well in the eastern quadrant," I began, pointing to the relevant section of the map. My voice carried with an authority that surprised even me. "I propose we increase hunting allowances there by fifteen percent, while maintaining current restrictions in the western forests where numbers remain low."

For the next hour, I led the discussion with a clarity and confidence I hadn't felt in months. Without the wolfsbane dulling my senses and quieting my wolf, my natural leadership abilities flowed unimpeded. I addressed concerns, mediated minor disputes between neighboring territories, and ultimately secured unanimous agreement on the new hunting parameters.

"Well handled, Luna Aria," Elder Kaelen Vance commented as the meeting concluded, his weathered face thoughtful. As head of the Lycan Council, his approval carried significant weight. "Your grasp of territory management is impressive."

"Thank you, Elder," I responded with a respectful nod. "The pack's wellbeing is my primary concern."

His eyes, ancient and knowing, studied me for a moment longer than necessary. "Indeed. A pity your Alpha couldn't witness your capabilities today."

The subtle emphasis on "your Alpha" sent a chill down my spine. Did he suspect something was amiss in the Silvermoon leadership?

I maintained my composed expression until the chamber emptied, leaving me alone with the territorial maps and the echoing silence of my thoughts.

---

"He wasn't at any northern border," Emma declared hotly, pacing the length of my private solar like a caged predator. "He was with *her*. Again."

I closed the heavy wooden door behind us, ensuring our privacy before I spoke. "I know."

"How can you be so calm?" Emma demanded, her brown eyes flashing with protective fury. "He's making a fool of you in front of the entire pack! And now I find out he's been *poisoning* you?"

I sank into the window seat, watching the afternoon light filter through the stained glass, casting colored shadows across the floor. The solar was my sanctuary, the one place in the pack house where I could truly be myself.

"Rage accomplishes nothing," I said quietly, though Luna howled her disagreement within me. "I need to be strategic, not emotional."

Emma stopped her pacing, dropping to her knees before me, her hands clasping mine with fierce loyalty. "Tell me everything."

And so I did. The wolfsbane in my tea. The affair with Raven. The gradual silencing of my wolf. With each revelation, Emma's expression darkened, her knuckles whitening as she gripped my hands tighter.

"I'll kill them both," she whispered when I finished, and I knew she meant it. Emma had risen to Beta female through sheer determination and skill, her warrior instincts honed to lethal precision.

"No," I said firmly. "That's exactly what we won't do."

"Then what?"

"We gather evidence. We learn the full extent of their betrayal. And then we destroy them so completely that no one will ever doubt the power of a Luna's vengeance."

Emma studied my face, something like admiration dawning in her eyes. "What do you need from me?"

"Become Raven's friend," I said, the words bitter on my tongue. "Get close to her. Learn her secrets, her weaknesses, her plans."

"You want me to pretend to like that snake?" Emma's disgust was palpable.

"I want you to make her trust you," I corrected. "Can you do that?"

After a moment's hesitation, Emma nodded, determination hardening her features. "For you, Luna. For justice."

---

From my position on the training field's edge, I watched Emma approach Raven during the afternoon combat drills. My Beta moved with casual confidence, offering Raven a spare water bottle when she noticed the younger wolf had forgotten hers.

"Brutal heat today," Emma commented, her tone friendly and open—a masterful performance from a woman who had been contemplating murder just hours before.

Raven accepted the water with a surprised smile. "Thanks. Didn't expect to be working this hard."

"Alpha's orders," Emma shrugged, settling beside Raven on the bench. "Though he's not exactly leading by example lately, is he?"

I tensed at the risky comment, but Raven merely laughed, a tinkling sound that set my teeth on edge.

"Men in power," she said with a conspiratorial smirk. "Always think the rules don't apply to them."

Emma matched her laugh, the sound convincing enough to fool anyone who didn't know her as well as I did. "Tell me about it. Sometimes I wonder what actually keeps him so busy."

Raven's eyes flickered briefly toward the pack house before she shrugged. "Important Alpha business, I'm sure."

As they continued chatting, their voices growing more animated, their laughter more genuine, I felt a cold satisfaction settle in my chest. Emma was good—perhaps too good. Already, Raven was leaning toward her, sharing training tips and pack gossip as if they were old friends.

The first pieces of my plan were falling into place. Soon, very soon, I would know everything there was to know about my enemies.

And then, when they least expected it, I would strike.