Chapter 249

ALINA

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Firelight in the gathered hall danced upon the walls in long shadows while I sat toward the rear.

I chose my place for a specific reason: I could let my eyes trail across them, from the babbling wolves to those nervous looks at neighbors and the more who whispered stories of Rowan’s rise and fall into destruction.

“Did you hear how he argued with Aurora before he was arrested?” I whispered to Lyra, a younger wolf sitting to my side.

Lyra’s ears twitched. “I heard him say something about her playing favorites. Is that true?”

I sighed, faking reluctance. “I wouldn’t say that outright, but. There’s truth to every rumor, isn’t there? Rowan wouldn’t have acted out for no reason.”

Lyra frowned, her gaze wandering to the front of the room, where Aurora stood beside Dane. “But Aurora’s always been fair.”

“Fair?” I let the word hang in the air, laced with doubt.

“Fairness is not the same thing as a good leader, Lyra. Fair doesn’t mean it listens to everyone. Rowan wanted to be heard,

Chapter 249

and look where it got him.

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And in that, the seed was sown. Lyra’s doubt would grow like a fire taking to burn slowly, and I would be the one fanning the flames.

Later that day, I made my way to the training grounds, where a group of wolves sparred beneath the sharp commands of Piper.

Her voice rang out with authority, but with a jagged edge a hairline crack that I was more than happy to widen.

“Piper,” I called, taunting her with a sweet smile.

She turned, wiping the sweat off her forehead. “What do you want, Alina?”

“Just a moment of your time,” I said innocently. “You work so hard. I thought you could use a little break.”

Piper crossed her arms. “I’m busy.”

“Too busy to hear what Warrick’s been saying?”

I knew I had her attention.

shrugged, looking offhandedly

overheard him mentioning how he admires, strong willed wolves. He seemed awfully impressed with Freya the

Chapter 249

jaw clenched. “Warrick

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wouldn’t,” I said smoothly. “But you

is. Wolves talk. And sometimes. admiration can turn into

at me, her features hardening. “Why are you

should know,” I replied,

be prepared, Piper. Strong wolves like you don’t have to

ensued was satisfying… I walked away, glad that

now vacant quarters of Rowan in search of whatever

behind.

together in haste following his arrest, but one thing caught my eye: a folded piece of

carefully, scanning my eyes over the spidery, uneven handwriting. The words were cryptic, near nonsensical at first glance, but one phrase leapt out, “the truth

Chapter 249

was pounding in my chest, yet

“What are you doing?”

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standing at the door with her

cleaning up,” I replied casually, hiding the letter behind my

eyes. “You shouldn’t be

just say you were checking in on me. After all, we’re just trying to help,

her into the hallway as the letter

of my own quarters, closing the door behind

together the implications of the cryptic words. “The truth

how could it

on my desk, my fingers trembling in the mixture

Chapter 249

but his desperation had unearthed

my chair, staring at the letter as if it might reveal more

held secrets that had defined this pack, molded its. leaders, and now could unravel

would Rowan have this?

sat on the training grounds, pretending to

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through the space

back in place as he offered some

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