Ariella's POV
PACK HOUSE – CORRIDOR
The pack house felt unusually quiet that evening, but it wasn't peaceful. It was the kind of silence that made the skin uneasy, like something was moving beneath the surface, waiting to be revealed.
I walked slowly down the corridor, my steps light against the polished stone floor. The walls stretched long on either side, decorated with carved symbols of past Alphas and faded markings that spoke of history and power. Torches burned steadily along the walls, their golden flames flickering softly and casting shadows that shifted with every movement.
My mind was not calm.
Ever since the healing room, something had not felt right. The image of Celene's smirk refused to leave me. It stayed in my thoughts, repeating over and over again, making my chest tighten with unease.
Sky stirred within me.
"You saw it too."
"Yes," I whispered under my breath.
"That wasn't normal."
"I know."
I slowed my steps slightly, my fingers curling unconsciously at my sides. Everything inside me felt alert, like my body already knew something my mind was still trying to catch up to.
Then I saw it.
The council room door.
It was slightly open.
That alone was strange.
The council room was rarely left unattended, especially not like this. It was where decisions were made, where Alphas and elders discussed matters that shaped the entire pack. It was never careless.
I stopped.
My eyes fixed on the door.
A small part of me wanted to walk away, to pretend I hadn't noticed it, but something deeper pushed me forward.
Sky's voice came quietly.
"Check it."
I hesitated for only a second before stepping closer.
The door creaked softly as I reached out, intending to close it properly.
But then—
I froze.
Someone was inside.
Ariella's POV
COUNCIL ROOM
The room was dimly lit, the long wooden table at its center casting a heavy presence in the space. Tall chairs surrounded it, their dark wood polished and intimidating. Scrolls and documents were arranged neatly across the surface, untouched except for one spot.
Near the head of the table stood a man.
Elder Jordon.
I recognized him immediately.
He was one of the respected elders of the pack, known for his calm nature and wise decisions. His appearance always carried authority. He was tall, his posture straight, his build lean but firm despite his age. His hair was a mix of dark and grey, neatly trimmed, and his beard was full but well-kept. He wore a long dark robe, tied at the waist, with a heavy cloak draped over his shoulders.
He looked exactly like what an elder should be.
Respected.
Trusted.
But what he was doing…
My breath caught in my throat.
His back was slightly turned, his movements careful as he held a small container in his hand. The liquid inside was dark, almost black, thick as it moved slowly against the glass.
I had seen it before.
My heart started pounding.
No…
It couldn't be.
But it was.
The same poison.
The same one Celene had added to Rohan's drink.
My fingers tightened slightly against the door.
He moved slowly, unscrewing the top of the container with precision. His expression remained calm, focused, as if what he was doing was completely normal.
Then he reached forward.
And poured it.
Into a drink.
The glass sat at the head of the table.
Kael's seat.
My chest tightened painfully.
He was poisoning Kael.
The realization hit me fully, sending a wave of panic through my body.
Sky's voice came sharp this time.
"You see it now."
"Yes," I whispered, barely breathing.
My heart pounded harder.
This time, I wouldn't stay silent.
Not again.
I slowly stepped back, careful not to make a sound as I moved away from the door.
I had to tell Kael.
Immediately.
Ariella's POV
PACK HOUSE – CORRIDOR
My steps were faster now, my breathing uneven as I turned away from the council room.
This was serious.
This was worse than before.
If Kael drank that…
No.
I couldn't let that happen.
I had to find him.
I had to—
I stopped abruptly.
Someone was standing in front of me.
Celene.
She leaned casually against the wall, as if she had been waiting there the entire time. Her silver blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, untouched and smooth, and she wore a fitted dark outfit that hugged her figure, elegant and sharp at the same time.
Her eyes locked onto mine.
And then she smiled.
Not kindly.
Not softly.
But with something cold and knowing.
"Well," she said slowly, pushing herself off the wall. "That was interesting."
My heart dropped.
She knew.
Of course she knew.
I forced myself to stand still, even though my body screamed to move.
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.
Her smile widened slightly.
"What do I want?" she repeated, tilting her head. "That's a strange question coming from someone who just witnessed something she shouldn't have."
My chest tightened.
I said nothing.
She took a step closer.
Then another.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"You saw it, didn't you?" she said softly.
I didn't respond.
But she didn't need me to.
Her eyes darkened slightly.
"Tell me," she continued, her voice dropping lower, "what exactly do you think you're going to do about it?"
The question hung in the air.
Heavy.
Mocking.
Sky's presence rose within me.
"Don't stay silent."
My fingers clenched slightly at my sides.
Celene stepped even closer now, her presence overwhelming, her gaze sharp and filled with something dangerous.
"You're just an omega," she said, her voice laced with quiet cruelty. "Weak. insignificant. replaceable."
Each word felt like a strike.
But this time…
I didn't lower my head.
"You think anyone will believe you?" she continued, her lips curving into a smirk. "You think Kael will choose your word over mine?"
My heart pounded loudly in my chest.
"Speak," Sky pushed.
I swallowed.
"You poisoned Rohan," I said, my voice low but steady.
For a brief moment, something flickered in her eyes.
Then it was gone.
"And?" she replied calmly.
"And now you're trying to kill Kael," I continued, my voice stronger this time.
She laughed softly.
It wasn't a pleasant sound.
"You really are bold for someone so weak," she said.
She leaned slightly closer, her voice dropping into something colder.
"Listen carefully," she whispered. "If you value your life, you will forget what you saw."
My breath caught.
"Because if you don't…" her eyes hardened, "…you won't live long enough to regret it."
Silence stretched between us.
The threat was clear.
Real.
Heavy.
For a moment…
Fear tried to creep in.
But Sky rose sharply.
"No."
My fingers tightened.
This time…
I wasn't going to stay quiet.
Not again.
I lifted my head fully, meeting Celene's gaze without hesitation.
"I'm going to tell him," I said.
My voice did not shake.
Not even a little.
Her expression shifted slightly.
Not fear.
But surprise.
"And when I do," I continued, my heart pounding but my voice steady, "we'll see who he believes."
The air between us grew tense.
Sharp.
Unmoving.
Celene's smirk slowly returned, but it wasn't as confident as before.
"Then try it," she said softly.
But this time…
I saw it.
That small crack beneath her confidence.
And I held onto it.
Because this time…
I wasn't the same Ariella.