The cold night air brushed against my skin as I made my way to Kaelen’s Alpha quarters, my mind still reeling from what I had overheard. The betrayal. The lies. Draven and Ravenna’s twisted plot was now crystal clear, and the pain of it was still fresh, sharp like the cut of a blade.

The plan was already forming in my mind, every piece falling into place. But I needed Kaelen. I needed someone I could trust.

The path to Kaelen’s quarters wound through the thick woods on the outskirts of the village, far enough away that it gave him the isolation he preferred. As the Alpha of Stormveil Hollow, Kaelen valued his privacy and often retreated here when the burdens of leadership grew heavy. I had always found it ironic—he could be surrounded by his pack, yet somehow he seemed more at home alone with his thoughts.

I reached the stone doorway, the scent of pine and damp earth mingling with Kaelen’s scent. Familiar. Steady. A comfort I hadn’t realized I needed until now.

Without hesitation, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Kaelen was sitting at his table, pouring over a map of our territory, no doubt planning the next patrol routes. His sharp blue eyes lifted as I entered, and the moment he saw me, his brow furrowed in concern.

“Zerra?” he asked, standing as I approached. “What happened?”

He always knew. Kaelen could read me better than anyone, better than Draven ever could.

I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, taking a breath to steady myself. I had to be calm. I had to be smart. There was no room for emotion now.

“I need your help,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “It’s about Draven.”

Kaelen’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening at the mention of Draven’s name. He had never liked him—he had made that clear from the start. Kaelen was fiercely protective of me, even before I left for those two years. He never trusted Draven, never thought him worthy of me. And now, he had been proven right.

“What did he do?” Kaelen asked, stepping closer. His tone was sharp, but there was an undercurrent of anger beneath it, a tension in his posture that hadn’t been there before.

“He’s been with Ravenna,” I said, the words bitter on my tongue. “They’re planning to take control of the packs. Together.”

For a moment, Kaelen didn’t move. His eyes locked on mine, the fury in them unmistakable. “You’re sure?” he asked, though I knew he didn’t doubt me. Kaelen trusted me implicitly.

“I heard them talking,” I replied, my voice cold and steady. “Ravenna plans to make him Alpha, and she’ll be his Luna. They’re going to unite Stormveil Hollow with Shadefall Vale, using our packs as pawns for their power.”

Kaelen’s fists clenched at his sides, his muscles tensing as though ready for a fight. “That snake,” he growled, pacing across the room. “I knew she was ambitious, but this—this is a betrayal of the highest order.”

My heart ached at his words. The betrayal was still raw, but I didn’t let the pain show. I couldn’t. Not now. “They’re going to move fast, Kaelen,” I said, stepping toward him. “Ravenna’s been manipulating both packs for a while. She’s already got her claws in Shadefall Vale. She’s playing Draven like a fool.”

“And Draven’s letting her,” Kaelen spat, his voice laced with contempt. “Typical. He was never strong enough to stand on his own. Always needed someone to tell him what to do.”

I nodded. “Which is why we need to act before they do. We can’t let them gain any more ground.”

Kaelen stopped pacing and turned to face me, his eyes narrowing. “What are you suggesting?”

I took a deep breath, my mind racing with possibilities. “I’m going to play their game. I’ll make Draven believe I don’t know anything about their plans. He still has feelings for me—I can use that. I’ll plant seeds of doubt in his mind, make him question Ravenna’s intentions. Meanwhile, we’ll spread rumors within the pack. We’ll sow discord, make it harder for them to gain any real support.”

Kaelen’s eyes gleamed with approval. “Clever,” he said, his tone softening. “If we can get Draven to waver, it might be enough to shake Ravenna’s hold on him. And if the pack starts to question their loyalty…”

I nodded. “Exactly. We have to make them doubt everything—Draven, Ravenna, their so-called alliance. If we fracture them from within, they won’t be able to hold it together long enough to make their move.”

Kaelen crossed his arms, considering the plan. His gaze lingered on me for a moment, and I saw the conflict in his eyes. He was angry—furious, even—but he was also protective. He didn’t want me to get hurt, not any more than I already had.

It had been a week since I arrived and I knew Draven and Ravenna was the most surprise of them all. I stood in front of the grand mirror in my quarters, adjusting the silver clasp on my cloak, letting my fingers linger over the smooth fabric. A calm smile tugged at my lips, but my heart pounded with the fury of a storm. Draven’s betrayal played in my mind on a loop, but I couldn't afford to let that rage show. Not yet.

Not until I had everything I needed to destroy them both.

With a deep breath, I stepped out into the cool air of the hallway. My heels clicked against the stone floor as I made my way to the dining hall where Draven was waiting. The wedding was approaching fast, and tonight, it would be just the two of us. I would act the part of the doting, oblivious fiancée, and Draven… he would fall into my trap, as easy prey always did.

I reached the door and hesitated. The smell of cedar and pine—the scent I once found comforting—was now tainted with memories of whispered conversations, shared between him and Ravenna.

The door creaked open, and there he was. Draven Thornclaw, my mate, sat at the head of the long wooden table, gazing into the fire like a man deep in thought. His dark hair, messy in that effortless way I used to find endearing, and his sharp jawline caught in the flickering light made him look every bit the mate I once adored. But now? Now, he was just a puppet, and I was pulling the strings.

I plastered on my sweetest smile and strode toward him. "Draven," I purred, my voice honeyed and soft. "You’ve been so distant lately. It’s making me… lonely." My fingertips lightly grazed the back of his neck as I leaned down, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

He flinched ever so slightly before catching himself, and I noticed the stiffness in his shoulders. "Zerra," he said, his voice strained as he turned to face me, offering a weak smile. "I'm sorry. There’s been a lot on my mind lately, with the packs, the wedding…"

"Mm," I murmured, sliding into the chair beside him. "I can imagine. But you don’t need to face any of it alone, Draven. I’m here. We’re supposed to be mates." My eyes met his, searching for any flicker of guilt or hesitation. I found it. He was squirming under my gaze, and I couldn’t help but savor the moment.

"I know," he said, his hand brushing mine in what was probably meant to be a comforting gesture. "You’ve always been strong, Zerra. I… I just want to make sure everything is perfect for us. For the future of the pack."

I let out a soft laugh and leaned in closer, my lips inches from his ear. "The future of the pack… or the future you’re building with Ravenna?" I whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

Draven froze, his breath catching. For a split second, panic flickered in his eyes before he quickly masked it. "Zerra… what are you—"

I placed a finger against his lips, silencing him. "Shh." I smiled again, this time softer, more genuine. "I didn’t mean anything by it, love. I know how hard you’re working for us, for me. And I’m grateful."

I watched him closely as my words wrapped around his guilt, squeezing it tighter. His shoulders sagged a little in relief, and I leaned back, giving him a reprieve from the suffocating tension. For now.

"Let’s not talk about Ravenna or any of that tonight," I continued, placing my hand on his chest. "Tonight is for us. The wedding’s almost here, and I want to make sure you’re still mine, Draven. Body and soul."

He swallowed hard, but I could see it—the uncertainty, the conflict. I could almost feel the weight of Ravenna’s presence looming over him like a shadow. But I would not let her win. Not tonight.

"I’m still yours, Zerra," he said quietly, his hand coming to rest on my thigh. But his touch felt wrong, empty. His fingers lacked the spark they once held, and it took everything in me to keep smiling.

I could sense the hesitation in him as he pulled me closer. His lips grazed mine, tentative, like a man lost between two worlds. I deepened the kiss, threading my fingers through his hair, willing him to forget Ravenna, even if just for this moment. Let him believe the facade I was creating, let him feel the pull of our bond once more.

He responded, but it felt forced, like he was going through the motions. His mind wasn’t here, not fully. But that was fine. I didn’t need him to be sincere. I just needed him to fall into the web I was weaving.

When I pulled back, I traced his jawline with my thumb. "I’ve missed you," I whispered, voice thick with false emotion. "We haven’t been like this in so long… I almost thought you didn’t want me anymore."

His eyes softened, a flicker of guilt crossing his features. "I do want you, Zerra. It’s just…"

"Just what?" I asked, tilting my head in mock curiosity, though I already knew the answer.

"I’ve… I’ve been distracted," he admitted. "Ravenna’s been… helping with some negotiations. It’s been a lot to handle."

Ravenna. Even just hearing her name stirred the anger simmering beneath my skin. But I kept my expression neutral, forcing a gentle laugh. "You don’t need to explain anything to me, Draven. I know how hard it’s been for you."

He exhaled, his grip tightening slightly on my waist, as if searching for comfort in my presence. The irony of it almost made me laugh.

"Let’s forget about all of that," I said, sliding onto his lap, my hands resting on his broad shoulders. "For tonight, let’s just be us again." I kissed him again, more aggressively this time, tasting his hesitation, his confusion. But he kissed me back, and for a moment, I let myself enjoy the power I had over him.

The power that would soon crush him.

As I pulled away, I rested my head on his shoulder, allowing him to think he had me where he wanted. But it was I who had him in my grasp. My mind drifted to Ravenna, and I could almost hear her venomous voice in my ear.

Not for long, sister. Not for long.

"Zerra," Draven murmured against my hair, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Are you happy?"

I smiled against his neck, pressing one last kiss to his skin before standing. "Of course, love. I’m happy. The wedding is so close, after all."

The wedding. The very ceremony that would be Ravenna’s undoing.