Author’s POV
In a dimly lit room deep in an unknown place, two figures sat bound to wooden chairs—hands tied, mouths gagged, heads cloaked in dark cloth. They writhed gently, muffled groans echoing off the stone walls, struggling against restraints that refused to budge. Their hands hurting.
The silence was broken by the slow creak of a door opening.
A figure entered—holding nothing but a flickering candle. The flame danced ominously in the gloom as the person approached. With a slow, deliberate motion, they tore the hoods off the two prisoners.
Revealed beneath were Sir Claus, former Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, and Anna, his mate...the once-respected Luna. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Breath caught in their throats. But it wasn’t the room that stunned them.
It was the man standing before them—candlelight casting shadows over his twisted grin.
Marcus.
Their former Beta.
He stood in front of them, gun in hand, smirking like a man who’d been waiting for this moment all his life.
"So," Marcus drawled, tilting his head. "This is fun, isn’t it? I honestly can’t wait to see what your precious sons do when they realize mommy and daddy are being held... as a trade."
His eyes darkened. "You better pray they hand over that child—alive and healthy."
"Marcus!" Claus thundered, straining against his bindings. "What are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re working with Dahlia. Don’t tell me she’s behind this!"
"Shhhh," Marcus hissed, stepping forward.
He pressed a finger to Claus’s lips mockingly, then tightened his grip around his throat, cutting off his breath for a second. "Of course I’m not working with Dahlia. That witch is gone. Dead. I’m working for me now."
He smirked as he leaned closer.
"With her out of the way, I’m the one in charge. And that child your son’s mate is carrying? That child is the key to everything. Witches want her, wolves fear her... and I want her."
Anna shook her head in disbelief. "You’re a werewolf, Marcus. You were our Beta! You protected us!"
Marcus chuckled, dark and bitter.
"I may not be a witch," he said, pacing. "But I know power when I smell it. And whatever is growing inside that girl? It’s more powerful than anything this pack has ever seen. If I get my hands on that child, I can bargain with the witches. Buy loyalty. Rewrite every rule this pack ever stood for."
"You’re insane," Claus spat.
Marcus leaned into his face, voice dropping into a hiss. "And you’re a fool. All those years I served under you, watched you parade your golden sons around like gods, while I stayed in the shadows? I hated every second. Being your Beta was the worst Chapter of my life. And now I’ll take pleasure in watching your legacy burn."
Claus lunged forward, but his restraints held him tight.
"You think I’ll stop at betrayal?" Marcus growled. "No. I want your sons broken. I want Cayden to see your head roll before he hands me that child."
The sound of the door opening interrupted the moment.
Another figure entered.
Draped in a long ceremonial gown, wearing silver chokers and trailing shadows behind them...Natasha, followed by her two sisters, Sophia and Lillian, and behind them, to everyone’s shock... Selene, their stepmother.
Anna’s mouth dropped. "You. You... traitor!"
She tried to rise from her chair, but the ropes cut into her wrists.
"I fought for you," Anna snarled. "I defended you when others doubted you. I made sure my son married you...made sure you were honored even the way you were not their mates. And this is how you repay me?"
Natasha scoffed.
"You didn’t fight hard enough," she said flatly. "You gave me no ring, not a title. You left me in the shadows while your pack chanted Hazel’s name. It was always Hazel this, Hazel that—and I was left standing there like I was nothing."
Anna’s eyes filled with pain. "You were my daughter-in-law."
"I was your mistress-in law," Natasha snapped. "But not anymore. If my father gets that child... if he gets the power he’s chasing... then so be it. At least then, I’ll have what I deserve."

"You..." she whispered, breath catching. "You, Selene? We wined and dined together. I treated you like a friend. Like a sister. I gave you everything I had. Your whole cursed Gilbert family.... welcomed them into my home! What happened to all of you?"
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