The Pioson Within

We were still busy picking out our outfits, trying on different things we liked, when Dax suddenly told us we needed to leave. He didn’t explain why, but the look on his face held a shadow of worry. Without wasting any time, we grabbed our things and hurried out.

The ride home was long and eerily quiet. Tension thickened the air, pressing down on us. Mike attempted to start a conversation with Dax, but his words fell on deaf ears. Even she could sense something was off. I barely noticed when the car came to a stop, exhaustion making my movements sluggish as I dragged my feet outside.

Something was different.

Armed guards stood rigid at the entrance, their presence unnerving. Even more of them were stationed inside. My gaze flickered to Dax, who was speaking in hushed tones with one of the security men. I strained my wolf senses, hoping to pick up on their conversation, but the words remained beyond my reach. Frustrated, I glanced over to see Mika rubbing her eyes sleepily as she walked inside the mansion, leaving me behind.

we got to my room "Hey, Mika," I called out, quickening my steps to catch up. "Did you notice the extra security? Do you think something happened while we were gone?"

She shrugged, already climbing onto my bed. "Probably nothing serious," she muttered, pulling the covers over her head.

I frowned. "I don't think so. And Dax—didn't you see his face? He looked... bothered, like something was really wrong."

Mika's eyes were closed when she answered. "You should know Dax by now. He’s always grumpy and acts rude for no reason. Trust me, it’s nothing new."

Sighing, I gave up trying to convince her. But the uneasy feeling gnawed at me, refusing to let go.

Sleep eluded me, my thoughts tangled in uncertainty. Restless, I walked over to the drawer, pulling out the small bottle of poison Savik had given me. The sight of it made my stomach twist. The bottle was nearly empty, which was strange—I hadn’t even started seeing signs of Vulvan weakening. Was I doing the right thing? Doubt clawed at me, whispering questions I didn’t want to answer.

But I needed my freedom.

I couldn’t sacrifice myself for anyone. This world had shown me its cruelty, and Vulvan was no exception. He had given me love only when it suited him, and when it didn’t, he had given me nothing but cold hatred. I wasn't foolish enough to believe he would ever truly care.

A soft rustling behind me caught my attention. Mika's slow, steady breathing filled the room. She was already deep in sleep, completely unaware of the storm raging inside me.

I needed water.

Stepping out, I made my way to the kitchen, but the moment I arrived, I froze.

Vulvan and Dax stood in the middle of a heated conversation. Their words were sharp, their voices low but intense. They were speaking in Reagan, making it impossible for me to understand. The second they noticed me, the conversation cut off. Vulvan’s jaw clenched as he shot me a look filled with barely contained anger before brushing past me and leaving the kitchen.

I blinked, taken aback. What did I do this time?

Dax turned to leave as well.

"Dax, wait," I said, my voice edged with frustration. "What’s going on? Why is Vulvan so angry? It’s obvious something happened."

He hesitated, remaining silent for a long moment before exhaling sharply.

"While we were away, a call came in. Queen Luna was attacked." His voice was grave. "If you want details, ask the Alpha. He has the answers."

My heart pounded against my ribs, a cold dread settling over me. Queen Luna… attacked? The words barely registered. I could only think of her—was she okay? Was she even alive?

Without another word, I turned and rushed toward her room, hoping—praying—that I would find her there. But when I threw the door open, the room was empty.

Panic tightened in my chest.

Without thinking, I stormed into Vulvan’s room, not even bothering to knock.

He sat at his desk, a glass of alcohol in his hand. His eyes, dark and unreadable, burned with an anger I had never seen before.

"Vulvan," I said softly, my voice laced with caution as I took slow steps toward him. "Where is Queen Luna?"

He didn't look at me. Instead, he poured himself another drink, his fingers tightening around the glass.

"Vulvan, answer me," I pleaded. "Where is she?"

His hand slammed against the desk, the sudden sound making me flinch. He pushed himself up and stalked toward me, his presence suffocating.

"Why do you care?" His voice was cold, sharp like a blade. "All I know is that your brother has been playing his little games for too long. Sending a spy to harm my mother was the biggest mistake he ever made. And this? This is just the beginning."

His words sent a chill down my spine.

I swallowed hard. "Savik? You really think he—Vulvan, you can’t just assume it was Edwood. There are other packs—"

He let out a bitter, humorless laugh before taking a slow sip from his glass. "You don’t know what you’re talking about." His eyes darkened as he studied me. "After all these years, you still don’t know what your brother is capable of?" He scoffed. "You’re naïve, Zara. But I’m not surprised. You’ll always defend him. You’re an Edwood, after all."

His words cut deeper than I expected, the sting of them settling into my bones.

I clenched my fists. "What is that supposed to mean? I might be an Edwood, but my heart belongs to the Reagans now. How can you blame me for this?" My voice wavered, but I held my ground.

His fingers tightened around his glass before he suddenly hurled it at the wall, the sharp shatter echoing in the silence. When he turned back to me, his expression was raw with rage.

"Yes, I blame you!" His voice was a thunderous roar. "If the Moon Goddess hadn’t made you my mate, I would at least know who my enemies are. But with you—" He shook his head, his gaze burning with something almost like disgust. "With you, all I see is a liar. A pretender. You act like you’re devoted, but you’re nothing more than a pawn in your brother’s game."

His next words crushed whatever fragile hope I had left.

"I don’t trust you, Zara. And I never will."

The weight of his accusation settled heavily in my chest. The pain of it was sharper than any blade.

I forced myself to meet his gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. "Then don’t."

Silence wrapped around us, thick and suffocating. His words echoed in my mind, each one slicing through me like a bitter truth I couldn’t escape.

"Get out," he said, his tone final.

I turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

And then I saw her.

Mika stood just outside, her expression filled with silent pity. She had heard everything.

I felt the tears before I realized they had fallen.

Without hesitation, she pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me as the weight of it all came crashing down.

Later, alone in my room, the sobs wouldn’t stop.

It wasn’t anger that burned inside me—it was something far worse.

Guilt.

Because the truth was, Vulvan wasn’t entirely wrong.

I had played my part in Savik’s plan.

And now, the weight of it hung over me like a storm that refused to pass.