Chapter 3

Rhea’s POV

Dagan placed a guard on each side of the carriage after I refused Monica’s banquet. When we slowed near Frostwater Bridge, I pushed past one guard and climbed over the rail.

“Rhea, get down,” Dagan ordered.

“I would rather face the river than kneel to Monica,” I told him. Then I let go.

The current pulled me under. I had no strength left to fight it. Dagan had feared deep water since childhood, but he jumped after me and dragged me onto the bank.

He coughed until his face turned pale. While the guards wrapped me in a cloak, the wet cloth beneath it tore across my shoulder. Dark collar scars and the damaged edge of my wolf mark became visible.

“What happened to you?” Dagan asked. “Black Hollow happened,” I replied.

His gaze remained on the scars, but the false reports had already given him an answer he preferred. “Merek will examine them. If you made those marks yourself, this performance ends tonight.”

The guards carried me into the birthday banquet. Monica sat beneath silver lanterns wearing a dress purchased with Mara’s compensation money. Grandmother sat beside her, alive and watching the entrance.

Grandmother rose when she saw me. “Rhea?” she called. She crossed the hall and pulled the cloak away from my face. “They told me you chose to study at Mooncrest Academy. Where have you been?”

My fathers exchanged quick looks. They had hidden Black Hollow from her because she would never have allowed them to send me there without a hearing.

“It was a private reform programme,” Dagan answered before I could speak. “Rhea needed discipline after the awakening incident.”

Grandmother saw the scars around my throat. “A school did this?” she demanded.

Merek stepped between us. “The reports said Rhea refused treatment and harmed herself. I will examine her after the banquet.”

Grandmother did not look convinced. She took my hand and found the old chain marks around my wrist. “You should be in bed, not standing before guests.”

Monica approached us with tears already gathering. “I asked them not to bring her if she was unwell,” she said. “I never wanted my birthday to cause more pain.”

Dagan guided me towards the high table. “This is not only about a birthday,” he announced. “The clan has remained divided since Monica’s awakening. Rhea will admit that she placed rage-root in the ceremonial herbs, apologise to Monica and the injured cubs, and end the matter tonight.”

Grandmother faced him. “You never proved she touched the rage-root.”

“It was found in her basket, and her scent covered the den,” Soren replied. “A public apology will restore stability.”

“Stability built on a false confession is another lie,” Grandmother said. Monica lowered her eyes. “I only want to feel that I truly belong here,” she claimed. “If Rhea apologises and accepts me as First Daughter, I will forgive everything.”

Her words revealed the real demand. This was not enough for Monica unless I surrendered my place in front of the entire clan.

“You framed me because you were afraid they might choose me again,” I told her.

Monica began crying, and my fathers immediately surrounded her. Calder glanced towards the guests, more concerned about Redfang’s reputation than the truth.

“Kneel and confess,” Calder warned. “We will discuss your other accusations privately.”

Dagan pressed one hand onto my shoulder, trying to force me down. Grandmother ordered him to release me, but he insisted the clan needed peace.

I remained standing. “Then your peace will have to wait,” I said. “I will not confess to poisoning Monica because I did not do it.”