The basement vent creaked open, and Marcus's weathered face appeared in the shadows. His eyes darted nervously around the silver-lined cell before settling on me.

"Luna Sylvia," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the distant hum of the security system. "I couldn't get the cup to you."

My heart sank, but I forced myself to remain calm. "What happened?"

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small lead box. "I hid it in here to preserve the poison residue. The Wolfsbane will still be detectable."

I took the box with trembling hands. It was heavier than it looked, the metal cold against my skin.

"Thank you, Marcus," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "You've risked everything for me."

The old Omega shook his head. "For Avery, Luna. For the pup."

He reached into his pocket again, this time producing a small vial filled with clear liquid. "I stole this from Healer Janelle's supplies. It's Clarity Root."

My eyes widened. Clarity Root was rare and dangerous—it temporarily dampened the effect of an Alpha Command, allowing a werewolf to resist their Alpha's control.

"Be careful," Marcus warned. "It'll burn going down, and you'll only have about twenty minutes before it wears off."

I took the vial without hesitation. "Twenty minutes is all I need."

Marcus nodded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and determination. "Tomorrow night is the Summit. Alpha Tobias plans to present you as Feral before Elder Garrett and the neighboring Alphas."

My fingers tightened around the vial. "He's accelerating his timeline."

"He knows something's wrong," Marcus confirmed. "The Iron Guard has been asking questions about your condition. He needs to make his move before they discover the truth."

I tucked the vial into my pocket, my mind racing with possibilities. "Marcus, can you—"

A sharp knock from above made us both freeze.

"Marcus!" Tobias's voice echoed through the basement. "What are you doing down there?"

Marcus's face drained of color. "I'll be right up, Alpha!" he called back, his voice surprisingly steady despite his fear.

He turned to me, his eyes urgent. "I've loosened the hinges on your cell door. When the time comes, use your wolf strength."

With those words, he disappeared through the vent, leaving me alone with the lead box and the vial of Clarity Root.

---

The next morning, Tobias's voice boomed through the pack house speakers.

"Attention all members of SilverCrest Pack," he announced, his tone triumphant. "Tonight we host the Pack Unification Summit. Neighboring Alphas and Council Elder Garrett will witness our transition of power."

I pressed my ear against the cold silver wall, straining to hear more.

"In light of Luna Sylvia's tragic mental decline," Tobias continued, "Elder Garrett will officially declare her Feral status. This designation will protect our pack from further instability."

My wolf snarled within me. *Feral*. The ultimate insult to a werewolf—a designation that stripped away all rights, all protection under pack law.

"Following the declaration," Tobias's voice continued, "I will introduce Janelle Weaver as acting Luna until a suitable replacement can be found."

I closed my eyes, imagining Janelle wearing my mother's necklace as she stood beside Tobias before the assembled Alphas. The thought made bile rise in my throat.

*We won't let that happen*, my wolf promised fiercely.

---

Night fell, and with it came the distant sounds of the Summit gathering above. Music played, glasses clinked, and the voices of powerful Alphas filled the Great Hall.

I uncorked the vial of Clarity Root with shaking fingers. The liquid inside shimmered with an unnatural light, its scent sharp and acidic.

"For Avery," I whispered, tipping the vial against my lips.

The liquid burned like fire down my throat, spreading through my body like molten metal. I bit back a scream as it seared through my veins, momentarily stealing my breath.

Then, gradually, I felt it—the crushing weight of Tobias's Alpha Command began to lift. Not completely, but enough that I could move without feeling like I was swimming through concrete.

I heard footsteps approaching the basement door—multiple sets, moving with purpose.

"It's time," I whispered to my wolf.

I closed my eyes, summoning the shift. Pain exploded through my body as I transformed inside the confined space of the cell. My white fur sizzled where it touched the silver bars, filling the air with the acrid smell of burning wolf.

Ignoring the agony, I lunged at the cell door, my powerful jaws clamping onto the loosened hinges. With a metallic screech that tore through the basement's silence, the door gave way.

Just as I burst through the opening, the basement lights flickered and died. In the darkness, I heard Marcus's voice from the stairway.

"The power's cut. Go!"

My father's warriors materialized from the shadows, their movements silent as they neutralized the basement guards before they could raise the alarm.

I stood in the center of the chaos, blood matting my white fur, my eyes fixed on the stairway that led to freedom—and revenge.

The cool night air kissed my skin as I limped through the dense forest surrounding the SilverCrest estate. My body still ached from the silver burns, but the Clarity Root had given me enough strength to escape. Every step sent pain shooting through my limbs, but I pushed forward, driven by a single purpose: revenge.

My father waited at the edge of the clearing, his imposing figure silhouetted against the moonlight. When he saw me—bloodied, weakened, but alive—his eyes widened in horror.

"Sylvia," he whispered, rushing forward to catch me as my knees buckled. "My daughter..."

I fell into his embrace, allowing myself a moment of weakness before straightening my spine. "I don't have time to be weak, Father."

Alpha Coleman's face hardened as he examined the silver burns on my wrists and neck. "What has he done to you?"

"He killed Avery," I said, my voice breaking on my son's name. "And now he's trying to destroy me."

My father's wolf surged forward, his eyes glowing with rage. "Then we attack tonight. The Iron Guard is ready."

I shook my head, gripping his arm. "No. If we attack, Tobias will spin it as a territorial invasion. He'll claim you're trying to steal SilverCrest land."

"Then what do you suggest?" My father's jaw clenched, barely containing his fury.

"We crash the Summit," I said, my voice steadying with resolve. "Tomorrow, when all the Alphas are gathered. We present our case under werewolf law, with evidence they can't ignore."

"The cup," my father nodded slowly. "Marcus has it?"

"Yes. And we need it to prove what they did to Avery."

---

The Great Hall of SilverCrest Pack House gleamed with polished wood and crystal chandeliers. I watched from the shadows as Tobias played his part perfectly—the grieving Alpha, his face solemn as he greeted the assembled dignitaries.

Elder Garrett sat at the head of the long table, his ancient eyes missing nothing. The neighboring Alphas formed a semicircle around him, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright suspicion.

"Thank you all for coming," Tobias began, his voice carrying the perfect note of controlled grief. "As you know, we gather today for two purposes: to formalize the unification of our territories, and to address the tragic condition of my mate, Luna Sylvia."

Janelle stood beside him, her hand resting possessively on his arm. My mother's necklace gleamed at her throat, catching the light with every movement.

"Dr. Cross," Tobias gestured to the clinical psychologist who stepped forward with a leather portfolio. "Please present your findings."

Dr. Helena Cross cleared her throat, her voice clinical and detached. "After thorough examination, I've concluded that Luna Sylvia has succumbed to Post-Traumatic Feral Psychosis. Her delusions about her son's death are symptoms of a severe mental breakdown."

She opened her portfolio, revealing graphs and charts that meant nothing. "Her condition has deteriorated rapidly. She represents a danger to herself and others."

Tobias nodded gravely. "Which is why I've made the difficult decision to request official Feral designation from the Council. For the safety of our pack—and for Sylvia's own protection."

Elder Garrett's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what does this designation entail, Alpha Tobias?"

"A humane euthanasia," Tobias said smoothly. "Followed by a proper burial with full Luna honors."

Janelle's lips curved in a barely perceptible smile.

---

The heavy oak doors of the Great Hall burst open with a thunderous crash. The assembled Alphas jumped to their feet, their wolves surging forward in instinctive response to the threat.

I stood in the doorway, no longer in chains or rags. The Iron Guard flanked me, their black uniforms and silver insignias marking them as my father's elite warriors. I wore ceremonial black mourning robes, the traditional garb of a Luna who has lost her pup. My hair fell loose around my shoulders, and my eyes—once warm and trusting—now burned with cold fury.

The room fell silent as I walked forward, each step deliberate and measured.

"Elder Garrett," I said, my voice clear and steady. "I believe you were about to make a grave mistake."

Tobias's face contorted with shock, then rage. "How dare you interrupt Council proceedings! Guards!"

But no guards came. My father's warriors had already secured the room.

"Sylvia," Elder Garrett spoke carefully, taking in my appearance and the warriors beside me. "You're not supposed to be here."

"And yet, here I stand," I replied, my gaze never leaving Tobias's face. "With proof that your Alpha has committed the gravest crime in our law."

I reached into my robes and withdrew the lead box Marcus had given me. "The murder of a pup."

Tobias lunged forward, but two Iron Guards blocked his path instantly.

"This woman is insane!" he shouted, his composure cracking. "She's delusional! She needs to be restrained!"

I opened the box, revealing the ceremonial chalice inside. "Before you sign any orders, Elder Garrett, I suggest you test this cup for Wolfsbane."

The room went deadly still as all eyes turned to the silver chalice gleaming in the box.