Chapter 41

[ 1,339 words ]

Ivy’s Point of View

I had expected this.

Known it was coming the moment Luna Helena stopped Dominic’s treatments. The moment the elders began their whisper campaigns. The moment Margot started speaking of Bastian as “the future Alpha” in every conversation.

So I kept my face blank. Expressionless. Gave nothing away.

But others weren’t so restrained.

Margot practically vibrated with joy. Her wrinkled face split into the widest smile I had ever seen on her. Vivienne clutched her chest like she might faint from happiness. Seraphina bounced on her heels, unable to contain her excitement.

And Bastian.

Bastian dropped to his knees before his father, pulling Seraphina down with him. The picture of humble gratitude.

“Father.” His voice trembled with what he wanted everyone to believe was emotion. “I am overwhelmed by this honor. I swear to you, I will dedicate my life to serving this pack.”

“I will do everything in my power to live up to my brother’s legacy,” he continued, bowing his head. “I will protect our people. Guide our warriors. Uphold our traditions.”

Seraphina chimed in immediately. “We are so grateful, Father. Bastian will be the greatest Alpha the Silvermoon Pack has ever seen. I just know it.”

I wanted to vomit.

Alpha Alaric nodded wearily. He looked tired. Old. Like this decision had cost him something he couldn’t name.

“Rise,” he commanded.

Bastian and Seraphina stood, still beaming.

Alpha Alaric gestured to a servant, who came forward carrying an ornate iron box. It was small, no bigger than a jewelry case. But its surface was covered in intricate locks and mechanisms. A combination system so complex it would take years to crack.

“This is the Ashford Legacy,” Alpha Alaric said solemnly. “It has been guarded by the heir of the Silvermoon Pack for over a thousand years.”

The room went completely still.

I had heard whispers of the Legacy, of course. Everyone in the werewolf kingdom had. It was legend. Myth. A secret so powerful that wars had been fought over it.

“Inside this box is information that could determine the fate of our entire nation.” Alpha Alaric’s voice carried the weight of centuries. “Our ancestors discovered something. A truth so devastating that it gives us overwhelming advantage over every enemy kingdom.”

He placed the box in Bastian’s hands.

“Whoever possesses this knowledge possesses the power to rule. To conquer. To destroy.” Alpha Alaric met Bastian’s eyes. “Guard it with your life. Share its secrets with no one. Not even your wife.”

Bastian’s fingers curled around the box like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Which, in many ways, it was.

“I understand, Father.” His voice was thick with reverence. “I will protect it until my dying breath.”

Alpha Alaric nodded. Then he turned to address the entire hall.

“There is one more matter to discuss.” He glanced at Luna Helena, who gave a small nod. “Upon my death, all personal property belonging to myself and Luna Helena will be transferred to Dominic and his wife, Ivy.”

Silence.

Then Margot exploded.

“What?” She stepped forward, her face contorted with outrage. “That’s absurd! Dominic is as good as dead! Giving him your property means giving it to her!” She jabbed a finger in my direction. “That scheming little—”

“Margot.” Luna Helena’s voice cracked like a whip. “My son is still breathing. His heart still beats. You will not speak of him as if he were already in his grave.”

“I’m simply being practical—”

“You’re being cruel.” Luna Helena’s eyes blazed with maternal fury. “You’ve always hated my son. Always wished him gone so your precious Bastian could take his place. Well, congratulations. You’ve won. But I will not let you dance on Dominic’s grave while he still lives.”

Margot sputtered with indignation.

“Enough.” Alpha Alaric’s voice silenced them both. “Margot, you forget your place.”

“My place?”

“You are my stepmother. Nothing more.” Alpha Alaric’s gaze was cold. Hard. “You have no authority in this pack. No claim to my family’s wealth. No right to question my decisions.”

Margot’s face went purple with rage.

“This household belongs to me and my Luna,” Alpha Alaric continued. “Not to you. Not to Vivienne. Not to anyone else.” He waved dismissively. “Now leave. All of you. The ceremony is concluded.”

The hall emptied slowly. Elders filed out, murmuring amongst themselves. Servants scurried to clear the way. Bastian and Seraphina swept past me without a glance, the iron box clutched triumphantly in Bastian’s hands.

Margot shot me one last venomous look before storming out. Vivienne followed, her lips pressed thin with suppressed fury.

Soon, only three of us remained.

Luna Helena. Dominic. And me.

The moment the doors closed, Luna Helena broke.

“I’m so sorry.” Tears streamed down her face as she rushed toward us. “I’m so sorry, Ivy. I couldn’t protect him. Couldn’t save his birthright. I’m useless. Completely useless.”

“Luna Helena—”

“My own son.” She collapsed to her knees beside the wheelchair, grasping Dominic’s limp hand. “I watched them take everything from him. His title. His future. His legacy. And I did nothing. I just stood there and let it happen.”

“There was nothing you could do.”

“I should have fought harder. Should have demanded more time. Should have…” She dissolved into sobs, pressing her forehead against Dominic’s hand.

I knelt beside her. Put my arm around her shaking shoulders.

“Listen to me.” I kept my voice gentle but firm. “None of this is your fault. You did everything possible. You tried to protect him. Tried to delay the decision. Tried to give him every chance to recover.”

“But it wasn’t enough.”

“It was enough.” I squeezed her shoulder. “You gave me time. Time to learn this pack’s secrets. Time to build alliances. Time to prepare for whatever comes next.”

Luna Helena looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “You’re not upset? About losing the heir position?”

“The heir position was never mine to lose.” I shrugged. “It was Dominic’s. And Dominic isn’t dead yet.”

Something flickered in her eyes. A spark of the hope I was trying to kindle.

“Besides,” I continued, “titles are just words. What matters is what we do with the power we have.”

Luna Helena wiped her eyes. Sniffled. Tried to compose herself.

Then she froze.

“Ivy.” Her voice came out strangled. “Look.”

I followed her gaze to Dominic’s face.

And my heart stopped.

A tear was sliding down his cheek.

Not water from the morning’s bath. Not condensation from the air. A genuine tear, emerging from beneath his closed eyelid and tracing a wet path down his pale skin.

“He’s crying.” Luna Helena’s hands flew to her mouth. “He’s… he heard everything. He knows what happened.”

My mind raced. The treatments were working. Better than I had hoped. If he could produce tears, if some part of him was aware of his surroundings…

“Don’t tell anyone about this.”

Luna Helena looked at me sharply. “What?”

“No one can know that he’s showing signs of awareness.” I reached out and gently wiped the tear from Dominic’s cheek. “If Margot finds out, if Bastian realizes there’s a chance he might recover…”

Understanding dawned on Luna Helena’s face. Then fear.

“They would try to hurt him again.”

“They would finish what they started.” I adjusted the blanket around Dominic’s shoulders. “Right now, everyone believes he’s as good as dead. That makes him safe. That gives me time to continue his recovery.”

“His recovery?” Luna Helena’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Ivy, what do you know that I don’t?”

I hesitated. The secret pressed against my lips, desperate to escape.

But not yet. Not here. Not where anyone might overhear.

“Trust me.” I met her eyes. “I will bring your son back. But you have to keep this between us. Can you do that?”

Luna Helena looked at Dominic. At the fading track of the tear on his cheek. At the faintest hint of color returning to his face.

“Yes.” Her voice was barely audible. “I can do that.”

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