It was Cedar’s birthday, a night that should have been about him—a night that was supposed to mark another year of his leadership, his power.

But for Lavender, it was a night that would forever be remembered as the night she took her life back.

She stood at the back of the room, her hand resting against the cool stone wall, watching the celebration unfold. Cedar stood in the center, surrounded by his allies, his gaze flickering between Fern and the other alphas. His smile was warm, his presence commanding, but to Lavender, it felt like a mask, hiding the truth she could no longer ignore.

The truth that he had betrayed her. The truth that he had chosen Fern over her. And now he was forcing them both to stand together in front of the pack, asking her to accept Fern as if she were nothing more than a shadow.

A sharp pang of grief twisted in her chest, but she pushed it down. Tonight, the grief would have no place. Tonight, she was done with pain.

Tonight, she was done with Cedar.

Lavender’s hands clenched into fists as she watched Cedar laugh at something Fern said, his arm casually draped over her shoulders. The sight burned through her, but she didn’t let herself look away. She had spent too many nights avoiding this moment, too many nights pretending everything was fine. It was time to face it. To face him.

She couldn’t stay in the background any longer. She couldn’t let him control her.

She was stronger now. She had trained. She had learned. And now, she was going to stand up for herself, even if it meant standing alone.

With one last deep breath, Lavender pushed off the wall and made her way through the crowd. She felt eyes on her as she moved. Curious, judging, wondering what she was going to do. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered anymore.

When she reached the center of the room, where Cedar stood, the noise around her seemed to quiet, as if the air itself held its breath.

Cedar’s eyes met hers. Fern, standing beside him, gave Lavender a sharp, almost triumphant look, as if daring her to make a scene.

Lavender’s heart hammered in her chest, but she didn’t look away. She couldn’t. Not now.

She took a step forward. “Cedar, I stand here tonight to make one thing clear: I reject you.”

The room went silent, every pair of eyes turning to her. She could feel the shock rippling through the air like a wave, and for a moment, she almost doubted herself. Almost. But the fire inside her burned too hot for doubt. She had come this far. She wasn’t turning back.

“I reject the bond we once shared,” she continued, and the words are flowing more easily now. “I reject the promises you made to me, the lies you’ve told. I reject everything that you’ve become. I, Lavender Fields, reject you, Alpha Cedar of Shadowfelt, as my mate!"

Cedar’s face hardened as his gaze shifted from her to Fern, whose expression had gone cold. Lavender could see it now—the fear in his eyes. Not of her, but of losing control. Of losing her.

“I don’t want this life,” Lavender said. “I don’t want a life where I’m just a shadow of someone else’s dream. I am not yours to claim. Not anymore.”

Fern stepped forward, her lips curling into a tight smile, but Lavender saw the fury hidden behind her eyes. She had been playing this game for too long, and now, it was time for her to take what she thought was hers.

“I won’t be here anymore, Cedar,” Lavender continued. “I won’t stand by and watch you tear me apart."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Cedar’s lips parted, as if he were about to say something, but the words never came. Instead, his eyes flashed with not just surprise but a flicker of panic.

For some reason, he felt the solid pain of the rejection even though he wasn't yet accepting it. He felt as if his soul was taken away in an instant. He didn't even see this one coming.

"H-How?" was the only question he managed to stammer out.

"You don't remember, do you?" Lavender chuckled bitterly. "I am a lunar wolf. I can reject my mate without their consent, and I have chosen to do so."

“Don’t do this." Cedar stood up slowly, unwrapping his arms around Fern. "We can work through it. I can fix this.”

“No.” Lavender shook her head. “I don’t need you to fix it. I don’t need you to make it better. I need to be free.”

Cedar’s mouth opened to counter, but then howls echoed through the forest. It was a sound of pure terror, and Lavender’s wolf growled dangerously in her mind.

“They are coming,” she whispered with closed eyes.

As the howls echoed through the night, Fern’s instincts kicked in. She didn’t hesitate. Without a word, she turned and bolted from the center of the room, her eyes scanning the crowd for Kane. Her mind raced with excitement. This was the moment she’d been planning for—the moment when everything would finally fall into place.

She quickly made her way through the guests, searching the edge of the hall where she knew he would be. And there he was. Kane, the Beta of the Bloodfang pack, stands tall and proud near the shadows. When their eyes met, he smiled, his dark eyes full of knowing.

Fern didn’t waste any time. She moved toward him quickly, giggling like a schoolgirl as she approached.

Without warning, she kissed him fiercely, a kiss full of heat and purpose. Kane kissed her back, his hands gripping her waist as he pulled her closer.

When they finally pulled apart, Kane grinned. "The Shadowfelt pack won’t stand a chance. You’re sure about this?”

Fern smiled back, her heart filled with satisfaction. “We’re going to destroy them. After tonight, you’ll be the Alpha, and I’ll be your Luna. Shadowfelt will be ours.”

Kane’s grin grew wider. “And what do I have to pay for all of this?”

Fern leaned in close. “All I ask for is your loyalty. When we take over, you’ll be the Alpha of both packs. Together, we’ll rule them all.”

Kane looked pleased with the offer. “That’s all I need. You have my loyalty, Fern.”

Her lips curled into a satisfied smile, but a flicker of caution passed through Kane’s eyes. “What about Cedar? He won’t just step aside.”

Fern’s smile turned colder. “Cedar won’t have a choice. After tonight, he’ll be gone. The pack will be yours. I’ll make sure of it.”

Kane’s eyes softened with reassurance, but he held Fern’s gaze for a moment longer. “Then let’s do this.”

Fern nodded. She turned her attention to one of the Bloodfang warriors in the shadows, sending a quick mindlink. “Take the silver bullet and shoot Kane. Right in the heart.”

The warrior’s face went blank for a moment before he nodded. “Yes, Luna.”

Without a second glance, he disappeared into the shadows. Kane, still unaware of what was happening, looked at Fern. His expression was full of confidence. “We’re unstoppable now. I can't believe we can easily take down the Alpha with this plan. But it's all because of you."

Fern didn’t respond right away. She just watched him for a long moment, a small smile playing on her lips.

Suddenly, the Bloodfang warrior emerged from the shadows, holding a crossbow aloft. He didn’t hesitate. The silver bullet shot through the air, striking Kane in the chest.

Kane gasped, his eyes widening in shock as the pain hit him. His hand shot to his chest, but it was too late. Blood seeped from the wound, his legs giving way as he collapsed to the ground.

Fern's heart remained steady. She watched calmly as Kane’s body hit the floor, his breaths shallow and strained. Kane’s eyes locked with hers, confusion and disbelief written all over his face. “Fern… What…?”

“Sorry, Kane,” Fern said softly. Her angelic face was so innocent-looking that it looked more scary than beautiful at that moment. “I prefer an Alpha like Cedar.”

Kane’s breath hitched, and he tried to push himself up, but his body was already growing weaker. “I thought we… I thought you—”

Fern crouched beside him. “You were always just a tool to me, Kane. I needed you for a time, but now you’re useless.”

Kane gasped for air. “You… You lied… I—”

“No,” Fern interrupted. “I didn’t lie. You just didn’t see it. You were always meant to fall. Now, die like the Beta you always were.”

Kane’s hand fell to the ground, his body going limp as life left him. Fern watched, unblinking, as his last breath escaped him. The blood from the silver bullet stained his chest, and his eyes glazed over in death.

She stood up, looking down at him with no emotion. There was no sense of guilt or remorse in her. This was just the next step in her plan. Now with Kane out of the way, the path was clear.

Fern turned to the warrior who had taken the shot. “Good job. Now, make sure no one knows it was me. Keep it quiet for now. We don’t need any distractions.”

The warrior nodded and disappeared into the shadows as Fern turned her back on Kane’s body. The pack was still fighting outside, the howls of battle ringing through the night.

But Fern didn’t care about that anymore. She had what she needed. The Shadowfelt pack was on the brink of destruction, and soon it would be hers. She would be the Luna. And no one, not even Lavender, would stand in her way.

Cedar was the first to react. He barked orders at the warriors stationed at the entrance. “Find out what’s going on! Now!” His voice carried the authority of an Alpha, but there was an edge of unease that didn’t go unnoticed.

Within moments, a scout came rushing in, his face pale and his chest heaving. “Alpha, it’s the Bloodfang pack. They’re attacking from the northern border.”

The room erupted into chaos. Cedar’s jaw clenched as he turned to the warriors. “Everyone, move out! Defend the pack!”

His gaze fell on Lavender, and for a brief moment, their eyes locked. She could see it—the sudden realization, the unspoken apology. He knew now that she had been right. The warning she’d tried to give him, the threat she’d uncovered, was real. But there was no time for apologies or explanations. The pack was under siege.

As the warriors transformed into their wolf forms and charged out into the night, Lavender stood frozen. The panic of the pack members swirled around her. Mothers clutched their children, elders huddled together, and young wolves looked to one another, uncertain of what to do. Her heart ached for them, torn between the urge to run and the call to protect.

"Shit!" She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Gather in the safe rooms,” she called out. "Stay together and stay quiet.”

Lavender moved quickly, helping the vulnerable find safety. Her senses were sharp, every sound and movement standing out in the chaos. When she reached the edge of the packhouse grounds, she saw the battle unfold. The Bloodfang wolves were fierce, their massive bodies breaking through defenses with brutal strength. The air was filled with growls, the sound of claws and teeth clashing, and the sharp, metallic smell of blood.

Cedar was in the thick of it, his wolf form locked in a fierce battle with the Bloodfang Alpha. His strength was obvious, but Lavender could see the strain. For every enemy he brought down, it felt like two more took their place.

As the fight raged on, Lavender's eyes scanned the battlefield. She looked for Fern but couldn’t find her. A bitter anger rose inside her. Fern had planned this, and now she was nowhere to be found, leaving the pack to face the mess she’d created.

A sharp cry pulled Lavender’s attention. A young wolf, barely out of adolescence, was cornered by two Bloodfang warriors. Without thinking, Lavender sprang into action. She shifted into her wolf and charged towards the enemy.

“Go!” she shouted, and the young wolf didn’t hesitate, darting toward the safety of the packhouse.

Lavender turned her attention to the second attacker, who lunged at her with a snarl. She dodged, and the wolf’s claws grazed her furred arm. Pain shot through her, but she didn’t let it slow her down. She reached out, her grip pressing against the wolf’s side. The wolf yelped, stumbling back before retreating into the darkness.

As the battle raged on, Lavender continued to move through the chaos, healing the wounded and shielding the vulnerable. She found herself fighting alongside Beta Flint, whose ferocity rivaled even Cedar's. Together, they successfully reversed the situation, forcing the Bloodfang wolves to retreat incrementally.

Finally, as dawn began to break, the Bloodfang pack retreated, their numbers decimated. The battlefield was littered with the injured and the fallen, the ground stained with blood. The surviving warriors collapsed in exhaustion, their breaths ragged.

The pack members emerged cautiously from the safe rooms. They gathered around the injured, their voices low as they assessed the damage. Lavender wasted no time, her hands glowing as she moved from one warrior to the next, closing wounds and easing pain.

The gratitude in their eyes was humbling. “Thank you, Luna,” one warrior murmured. “You saved us.”

Lavender shook her head. “I only did what I could. Rest now. You’ve earned it.”

As she finished healing the last of the injured, Cedar approached her. His wolf form had shifted back, and he was covered in scratches and bruises. But it wasn’t his injuries that caught her attention. It was the look in his eyes—a mix of admiration and regret.

“Lavender,” he began.

She held up a hand, cutting him off. “Don’t. This isn’t the time for apologies.”

Cedar’s gaze flicked to Flint, who stood nearby, his arms crossed. “How did you know?” Cedar asked him.

Flint’s expression was unreadable as he replied, “Luna Lavender warned me. She discovered the threat and made sure I was prepared.”

The pack members around them murmured their thanks to Flint, their admiration clear. Cedar’s shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of his failure pressing down on him.

Lavender turned to Flint. “Thank you for listening. You saved them. All of them.”

He nodded. “You’re the one who saw the danger. You’re the one who deserves their gratitude.”

She smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. The battle was won, but the wounds ran deeper than she could heal. She turned back to Cedar. “This will be the last kindness I give to this pack. I’ve done my part. Now, I’m leaving.”

His eyes widened. “Lavender, wait. Please don't leave me. The pack needs you. I need you."

Lavender felt the sting of his words cut deep into her chest. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. She had fought so hard for this pack, for him, and yet he only saw her as a tool.

"I gave everything I had to this pack, and to you, and it was never enough. But I’m not your tool, Cedar. I’m not your decoration. I’m done. And I'm leaving."