Damon
The moment Ronan stepped into my study, I knew something had broken.
He didn’t bother with ceremony. Just set the folded parchment on my desk and met my eyes with the kind of tension that came before war. “You need to read this.” I opened it in silence.
Each line slashed across the page like a blade: Elena had entered the restricted gallery. She’d taken a sketch of Natalie’s portrait. She’d been seen showing it to a servant. Witnesses placed her speaking with two minor nobles, both easily swayed and notoriously fond of gossip. And Henry had requested a private, unsanctioned meeting with one of the council members.
The final note chilled me: She’s not just trying to stir doubt. She’s building a case.
Zane surged beneath my skin. She’s using Natalie’s memory as a weapon. She’s endangering our mate.
I stood without a word, the chair scraping softly across the stone. The muscles in my jaw ached from how hard I clenched them.
“Bring Elena to the east chamber,” I said coldly. “Now.”
She arrived ten minutes later, all grace and practiced innocence, her expression painted into a picture of confusion. “You summoned me, Your Majesty?”
She curtsied. Soft. Polished. Poisonous.
“Elena,” I said quietly, “you’ve had an eventful afternoon.”
Her lashes fluttered. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
I didn’t respond right away. Just circled her slowly, keeping my steps deliberate. Predatory. I could smell her nerves. Not fear–yet. But she was unsettled Watching me too closely.
“You visited the portrait gallery,” I said. “A restricted wing.”
“Oh.” She laughed, light and breathy. “I must’ve taken a wrong turn.”
“You found a portrait of Luna Natalie,” I continued. “And you copied it. In detail. With enough accuracy that the servant you showed it to thought it was. someone alive.”
The laugh died in her throat.
“Elena.” I stopped in front of her. “What exactly were you planning to do with that sketch?”
Her mouth opened, then closed. “It was… artistic curiosity. I just-”
“-wanted to see what she looked like?” I cut in, voice sharper now. “Or wanted others to see what you could take advantage of using her likeness?”
Color drained from her face.
“I know you’ve been whispering in corners. I know/about the nobles. I know about Henry’s sudden interest in council leverage.” I stepped closer. “And i know jealousy when I see it.”
Her composure shattered like ice under pressure. “She’s not even supposed to be here,” Elena snapped, voice thin. “Everyone kn belong.”
She didn’t say Lila’s name. That told me everything.
“She’s a fraud,” she went on, a flush rising beneath her skin. “And you–you’re blind. You don’t see what she’s doing to you.”
> doesn’t
Chapter 88
I let the silence stretch. Then I spoke, slow and procim. “You tried to fracture the Count with someone that dosart habert to yol ve dead Luna and used it like a knife.
She looks exactly like her!? Elena burst out. “How is no one saying it? How are you not seeing it?”
“Because I see the difference,” I growled. “And I see the intent behind you.”
I stepped back, ice settling into my spine. “You are dismissed. Effective immediately.”
Elena reeled. “What?”
“You will leave the palace before sundown. Without escort. Without privilege. You will never be part of the selection. You’re not welcome here again.
She sputtered. “You can’t–my father is an Alpha-”
“Your father,” I said, voice cold as stone, “just lost the last shred of favor he had. You can go tell him yourself”
I turned to the guards stationed at the door. “Escort the former Lady to her stolen quarters. She has one hour to pack. If she lingers past sunset–toe het in Rogue territory.”
Her eyes burned with fury. But underneath, I saw the panic. The realization that she’d gambled her last piece and lost.
“Goodbye, Elena,” I said.
And I meant it.
Henry was already seated when I entered. He’d made himself comfortable in one of the council chamber’s high–backed chairs, sipping from a crystal glass like he belonged here. Like the throne behind me would eventually be beneath him.
The audacity of it soured the air. He hadn’t heeded my warning or my orders. And it pissed me off.
He rose when he saw me, but the smirk on his face stayed rooted. “Your Majesty,” he drawled, inclining his head in a gesture that was technically respectful, but only just. “I was told you requested this meeting, though I confess I nearly asked for it myself.”
I didn’t speak. Just walked to the head of the table and set the rolled parchment down in front of him.
He glanced at it. “Ah.” The smirk deepened. “So, she showed it to you after all.”
“No,” I said. “My Beta did.”
That stalled him–but only for a second. “Well. The resemblance is undeniable, isn’t it?”
Henry chuckled softly, swirling his glass. “You must admit, it’s almost poetic. A second chance for your broken heart. A living echo of the Luna you lost. Powerful story, isn’t it?” He tilted his head. “And one that could do wonders to unify the Packs.”
I stared at him. “This is your plan?”
He lifted a shoulder. “It doesn’t matter who started it. The resemblance is real. And if word got out… well, it would raise questions. Speculation. But it could also work in your favor. All I want is a seat. Something quiet. Permanent.”
The words hung in the air between us. He wasn’t a wolf; he was a cockroach. Once again, he was bargaining with Lila’s face. Not her heart. Not her loyalty. Just the shape of her.
Zane surged so sharply beneath my skin that I had to grip the back of the chair to anchor myself. Henry didn’t notice–or worse, he didn’t care.
“You tried to manipulate grief,” I said quietly. “You used your daughter’s sketch to try and manipulate the palace… and me.”
14:56 Inu, b Jun
Chapter 88
“It’s not manipulation if it’s the truth,” he said, almost lazily. “People see what they want. You, most of all
I stepped forward. Slowly. Deliberately. “I’m not offering you a seat. I’m not giving you favor. I’m not even entertaining your name!
His smile thinned. “That’s unwise, Your Majesty.”
“Is it?” My voice dropped, lethal now. “Because I just declared you and your daughter persona non grata. You have until sundown to leave the palace”
Henry blinked. For the first time, the smug facade cracked.
“You’re serious.”
“Deadly.”
He scoffed, setting down his drink. “You think casting me out will change what’s already in motion? Whispers spread fast, Your Majesty. People talk. You may not need me now–but when the story gets out-”
“I will crush the story the same way I’m crushing your political future,” I snapped, stepping closer. “You thought I would marry her to keep the illusion intact. To keep the people calm. But you made a critical mistake, Henry.”
He opened his mouth, but I cut him off.
“You assumed I’m afraid of scandal. I’m not.” I leaned in. “But I am wary of what I’ll become if people like you are allowed to keep pushing.”
Henry stiffened, pride kicking in. “You’re making a dangerous enemy.”
I smiled, teeth bared. “You are nothing.”
The tension in the room snapped taut. I could hear my own heartbeat thudding in my ears. Zane was pacing, snarling, barely leashed.
“You exploited your own daughter,” I said, voice low and final. “You sold her likeness like a forged document. And you underestimated the male you tried to bribe.”
Henry went silent. I straightened, backing away.
“If either of you remains past sundown,” I said, “you’ll be escorted to my dungeons in chains, or in pieces.”
I turned without waiting for his reply. Before I left, I tossed one final word over my shoulder–flat and merciless.
“Pray Lila is more forgiving than I am for what you’ve made her part of.”
And then I walked out. The door slammed behind me. And this time, I made sure Henry was gone.
AD
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