Chapter 4

Lily looked up, eyes wide.

I lowered my gaze. "That cart was timed perfectly."

"I leave the estate, and he just happens to be there. The horse spooks at exactly the right moment. The barrel tips at just the right angle."

Lily's mouth opened soundlessly, cold dread crawling up her spine.

"Leaving me alone in the street, letting the servants disrespect me—that's deliberate too."

Lily's voice shook. "Why would the Alpha do this?"

"Why?" I opened my eyes, staring at the darkening sky outside.

"He needs me dirty. Needs me humiliated. Needs everyone in the Pack to see me as trash—so worthless even street slop can be dumped on me."

I took a slow breath, the last warmth in my chest freezing solid.

"That way, no matter what Bella's background is, as long as she stands next to me, people will heap all their scorn on me instead."

Once upon a time, Killian would frown over a scratch on my finger. Would go cold if anyone spoke ill of me.

He'd promised to protect me for life when my family was slaughtered.

And now, he orchestrated my public degradation for another she-wolf.

How easily hearts change.

That night, I spiked a fever, delirious for two days.

On the third day, when I finally recovered enough, I headed out to the apothecary as planned.

But stepping outside, I realized the estate gossip had gotten worse.

"Cook told me herself—the Alpha's ordering rare herbs from across the territory just for Bella's tea!"

"And yesterday? He took her jewelry shopping himself. Getting some expensive piece made for the kid—probably a christening gift."

"Since our dear Luna got doused in slop, the Alpha won't even step foot in her courtyard. If I were her, I'd be too ashamed to keep living."

Lily's eyes reddened with rage. She started forward—I gently stopped her.

"Let them talk."

At the apothecary's back courtyard—where we dried and prepared medicines—Healer Willow hurried over the moment I arrived. "Luna, we have a problem."

"This morning's inventory—several rare herbs were swapped with inferior goods. Even the prepared medicines are contaminated."

My heart sank. "When did this happen?"

"These past few days." Willow lowered her voice. "Only four wolves have access to the storage: me, Bennett, and two apprentices who just started."

Before she could finish, screams erupted from the front hall.

A she-wolf burst in, clutching a feverish pup. "Help! My son took your medicine and now he's burning up, breaking out in rashes!"

I rushed forward to examine the boy. His face was flushed, the rash bright red—clear signs of an allergic reaction.

I checked the medicine packet the she-wolf brought. One ingredient—the goldenseal root—was dark, moldy-smelling.

My head snapped up. "This root is rotten. The Moonwell Apothecary would never dispense this!"

"It came from HERE!" the she-wolf wailed. "If my son dies, I'll kill you all!"

The crowd outside grew, pointing and whispering.

In the chaos, a carriage stopped at the entrance.

Killian strode in, his expression dark, eyes landing on me.

"What trouble are you causing now?"