Chapter 3

The wolfsbane hits hard.

My whole body goes slack. My wolf — silent. The mindlink — dead. I can't shift. Can't even lift my arms.

Tyson lays me on the bed and stands over me, back turned.

"Briar. Don't blame me for this."

"Your father's warriors only answer to Voss blood. I can't touch them, and I can't afford to turn against you openly."

"Everyone whispers behind my back — that I'm only Alpha because of you. Because of your father's wolves. Because you handed me the cure and I took the credit."

"So I brought Nola back. She'll wear your face. Take your place. Your father will never know."

"But I won't abandon you. Even without your face, even without your scent — I'll keep you hidden. Take care of you. You'll be safe."

He says "safe" with his back to me. Says it again, quieter.

Like he's convincing himself.

I force out a laugh. Thin. Ragged.

"Tyson. I've been your Luna for seven years. I built alliances for you wolf by wolf. My father gave you his warriors — and you want to take them from Voss blood?"

"You're putting a rogue in my place. The real goal isn't just replacing me. It's swallowing my family whole."

His fists clench. He doesn't turn around.

"A blood family whose warriors outnumber mine three to one. No Alpha can stomach that forever."

He walks out.

Wolfsbane burns in my throat.

Then — footsteps. Heels clicking on stone.

Nola sweeps in wearing one of my dresses.

"Oh, Briar." She crouches beside the bed. "Your Gamma's not here. Your warriors are posted outside the territory on patrol — Tyson sent them out this morning. No one's coming for you."

"Originally he wanted you gone for good. I'm the one who convinced him to let you live."

"So you should thank me, really. Even as a ruined wolf, at least you'll be breathing."

She leans closer, breath hot on my ear.

"And once I have my own pups with him? Your little Callum is dead weight."

"How does that feel? Helpless yet?"

Her pretty face twists into something ugly.

I keep my eyes closed. I don't waste my breath on her.

But her idea about Callum? That seals it.

Tomorrow, in my ritual room, I'll make sure she begs for a death I'll never give.

"Mama!"

A small voice. Outside the door.

My five-year-old. Callum.

"Papa said you're sick. I came to take care of you!"

Nola straightens up fast. She leans over me.

"Keep playing dead. I'll deal with your pup."

My eyes snap open. I try to scream—

"Callum — go back! Mama's fine—"

It comes out barely a whisper. The wolfsbane has taken everything.

Nola strides out. Her voice goes sharp. Loud. Dripping with authority she doesn't have.

"The Alpha heir? Your father said you're not allowed near your mother. And you disobey? Ungrateful little—"

"You think you can give me orders? Lock him in the storage room. No lights."

Callum is afraid of the dark. He's been afraid since he was three.

Panic claws up my throat. I throw everything I have into sitting up—

My body slides off the bed and hits the floor.

Outside, my son's voice rings out. Small. But every word lands like iron.

"Moon Goddess teaches us — a pup honors his mother above all."

"You're no one. A stranger in my mother's home. You don't give orders here. You don't raise your voice in my mother's room."

"I'm going to find Grandfather. And when I do, you'll answer for this."

I hear his feet — running.

A smile cracks across my face. My pup.

Nola's voice shakes with rage.

"Go. Tell the Alpha. Now!"

She storms back in. Looks down at me on the floor.

"Oh, Briar. On the floor like a rogue. How sad."

"You want the truth? That pup won't reach the old wolf. Tyson's already replaced every wolf around the old Alpha with his own. No one's letting that pup through."

I know.

I know all of it.

Let Tyson take everything. Let him think he's the winner.

He doesn't see what's behind him.

Once he's gone, Callum is the only heir. A five-year-old heir needs his mother. And this mother has an entire army of Ironveil warriors one howl away.

Let them have tonight.

After tomorrow, the only one playing games will be me.