CHAPTER 1 | DEATH

Death.

The stench of it lingered, suffocating the air around me. It wasn't just the rusty tang of blood; it was something sweeter, heavier, that clung to the back of my throat. I inhaled deeply, my pulse quickening with the scent. My claws dug into the damp soil, the grit grinding against my paw pads. Beneath me, something warm and soft shifted-flesh. My sharp nails caught, tearing. A shudder rippled through me, part ecstasy, part horror.

Something was wrong. The cold wind kissed my fur in the wrong direction, carrying unfamiliar scents. My body moved on instinct, limbs obeying a command I hadn't given. I felt trapped inside my own skin, an unwilling passenger.

The sharp bark of my brother's voice cut through the haze.

"Nyra, no!"

I snapped my head toward him. Brian stood there, his face pale and taut, his golden eyes wide with a mixture of fury and fear. My breath hitched. Why was he here?

Before I could process it, Ceylan's smaller form barreled into me, shoving me back with

surprising force.

"Protect the alpha!" he yelled, his voice sharp with urgency.

Time froze as I staggered, my claws skidding against the earth. I blinked, trying to focus, but the world seemed smea every sound muffled except the pounding of my own heart. Then I saw him.

Time froze as I staggered, my claws skidding against the earth. I blinked, trying to focus, but the world seemed smeared, every sound muffled except the pounding of my own heart. Then I saw him.

My father.

He lay crumpled on the ground, his once-powerful frame lifeless. The pack doctor hovered over him, their hands slick with blood as they worked frantically to save him. But his chest didn't rise. His scent was fading. My stomach turned.

"How could you do this to Father?" Ceylan's voice cracked, his arms trembling as he cradled our father's body.

I looked down at my hands—or what was left of them. My claws were soaked red, the metallic tang clinging to my fur. I stumbled back, my legs giving out beneath me.

"I-I didn't—" The words caught in my throat.

"You did," Beta Reed said, his voice cold and even. He stepped toward me, his expression a mask of grim resolve. "This time, you went too far. The alpha warned us this would happen, but no one wanted to believe it. Least of all him." His eyes burned into mine, full of unspoken accusations.

I wanted to deny it, to scream that it wasn't true, but my body betrayed me. The blood on my hands told a story I couldn't remember.

"You should have been locked un" Reed continued. "Now the packs will hear of this. They'll see us as weak, vulnerable. And it's your fault."

My legs buckled completely, and I crumpled to the ground. My inner wolf stirred, growling low and protective, but it was no use. Chains-silver, burning against my skin-clamped around my wrists. Reed motioned to the deltas, and they hauled me to my feet.

Brian avoided my gaze as I was dragged past him. His hands were slick with blood-our father's blood-but his face was stone, unreadable. Ceylan's expression was different. His lips curled into a smirk, his sharp eyes glinting with satisfaction. My chest tightened.

"Brian, help me!" | screamed, my voice cracking.

He didn't flinch. Didn't even look at me.

I was shoved into the cold, damp cell, the door slamming shut behind me. The air was stale, laced with the scent of rot and mildew. My chains rattled as I sank to the floor, my strength ebbing away. My body trembled, but not from the cold.

For days, I sat in that cell, the silence punctuated only by the whispers of the guards. Their words sliced into me, sharper than any claw.

"Imagine killing your own father..."

"Trial's tomorrow. Poor thing doesn't stand a chance."

"She's a monster. She deserves it."

I stopped listening. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. The only thing that kept me tethered to reality was the memory of my father. His laugh, his smile, the way he'd always believed in me, even when I couldn't trust myself.

And now he was gone. Because of me.

+++

Days blurred into each other, and hunger gnawed at my insides like a relentless beast. My throat was dry, my muscles weak. Every inch of my body screamed for relief, but none came. I had lived with pain before-been shunned, caged, starved—but this was different. This time, the weight wasn't just on my body. It crushed my soul.

The guards came occasionally, tossing scraps at me like I was an animal, their disdain as loud as their words. I ate mechanically, hating myself for needing the sustenance, for existing at all.

Then, I heard it-footsteps. Not the careless stomp of guards, but measured, deliberate strides. My ears perked, my heart lurching.

"Brian," I whispered, the name escaping my lips before I even saw him.

He stepped into view, his face pale in the flickering torchlight. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of the brother I knew, the one who used to train with me, who used to laugh at my bad jokes. But the softness in his eyes was gone, replaced by a cold, heavy sorrow.

"Brian!" I surged toward the bars, my chains clinking against the floor. "You believe me, don't you? I didn't mean to— I didn't want to-"

"I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. His gaze hardened as he took another step closer, gripping the bar the cell. "That doesn't change what happened, Nyra. Father’s dead."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, forcing the air from my lungs. I staggered back, shaking my head. "No. No, he can't be-"

"He is," Brian cut in, his tone sharp enough to sting. "And now, the pack is in chaos. They're scared. Angry. They want someone to blame."

I stared at him, my heart racing. "And you're letting them blame me?"

"What choice do I have?" His voice cracked, and for the first time, I saw the cracks in his armor. "You killed him, Nyra. Whether you meant to or not, it's done.

You've left me to pick up the pieces."

"But I'm your sister," I said, my voice trembling. "You know I'd never-"

"Stop!" he barked, his hands tightening on the bars. "Do you think I want this?

Do you think I wanted to lose him? To lose you?" He exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging. "You don't understand the weight of this. The pack needs a leader now. And they need someone to answer for what's happened."

My chest tightened. "So you're just going to let them execute me?"

He flinched, his jaw clenching. "You'll have a trial. But you know how it'll end."

I stumbled back, gripping the chains for support. "You're a coward," I spat, my voice shaking with rage and despair. "You've always been a coward, Brian.

Hiding behind Father, behind your principles. You're nothing without him." His eyes flashed with anger, but before I could respond, another voice cut through the silence.

"Sister," Ceylan drawled, stepping into the dim light with a smirk that made my blood boil. His golden eyes gleamed with something dark, something cruel. "I see you're still barking."

"Get out," I snarled, my claws itching to lash out despite the silver sapping my

strength.

He chuckled, leaning casually against the bars. "Now, now. Is that any way to treat your future alpha?"

The air left my lungs in a rush. "You?" I hissed. "You think you deserve the throne?"

"Oh, I don't think, dear sister. I know." He tilted his head, his smile widening.

"Father may have been willing to protect you, but look where that got him. The pack needs strength, and you... Well, you've proven time and again that you're nothing but a liability."

I lunged toward him, but the chains pulled me back, the silver biting into my wrists. "You manipulative little snake!" I growled. "You've been waiting for this, haven't you? Waiting for a chance to take power."

His smirk deepened. "You make it sound so sinister. I'm simply stepping up where others have failed. Isn't that what Father would've wanted?"

"You don't care about the back." I soar. "You only care about yourself."

"You don't care about the pack," I spat. "You only care about yourself."

"And you?" He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What do you care about, Nyra? The pack? Father? Or just your own survival?"

I bared my teeth, trembling with rage. "Get out of my sight before I tear that smug face off your skull."

He laughed, straightening and brushing imaginary dust from his shoulders.

"Good luck with that. Enjoy your trial, sister. I'll be sure to give a heartfelt speech at your execution."

As he walked away, his laughter echoing down the stone corridor, I sank to the floor. My body shook with fury, but beneath it was something darker, something colder.

Ceylan had been waiting for this moment. He'd orchestrated it, somehow. I didn't know how, but I would find out.

I clenched my fists, ignoring the silver's sting. If this was the end, I wouldn't go down quietly. If I had to burn everything to the ground to take him with me, I would.

This wasn't over.