Chapter 3
I thought saving the children from the fire would bring peace.
But the real blade was still hidden in the light.
The first tribe meeting after the fire was held in the central plaza. Alpha Emery stood beside me, holding my hand.
He said it was to “clarify the truth.”
But the first voice that rang out wasn’t his. It was Beta Derrick’s.
“This fire-” he raised a glowing stone, “– may not have been an accident.”
Gasps broke out among the crowd.
“Some people, Beta Derrick continued, his eyes drifting to me, “will do anything to win Alpha’s sympathy. Even staging a tragedy.”
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Chapter 3
My heart dropped.
“What are you saying?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“You rushed into the fire. You knew exactly where the pups were. Almost like… you planned it.” His tone was casual, cruel.
Before I could respond, Beta Sasha stepped forward, tears running down her face.
“She’s not their real mother,” she cried. “Luna’s afraid of fire! How could Omega Caroline not know that?”
Her voice cracked. “If anything had happened to them…”
I stood frozen. “I didn’t plan anything. I saved them.”
Beta Derrick scoffed. “Or made sure they’d need saving.”
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Just then, the tribe’s healer arrived, holding several parchment scrolls.
“The pups‘ blood tests are back” he announced. “They show high levels of sleep powder–ingested three days ago.”
! froze.
Three days ago… that was when Alpha Emery had personally brought them ‘calming tea‘ every night.
I turned to him, whispering, “You… you drugged them.”
Alpha Emery stepped down from the platform and approached me slowly.
“Omega Caroline,” he said gently, brushing my hair from my face, “you’ve been through so much. Your mind’s just a little confused.”
“I’m not hallucinating!” I stepped back. “I heard you and Beta Derrick. You said once
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the fire starts, the ‘container‘ would be gone. You meant me, didn’t you?!”
His expression didn’t change. He turned to the guards.
“She’s exhausted. Escort her back to her chambers. Make sure she rests.”
I felt like I’d been slapped.
“You’re locking me up?” I whispered.
Alpha Emery turned, smiled softly at the crowd. “Don’t worry. I’ll personally investigate the fire. She just needs time.”
I was confined again–this time not by affection, but by walls and guards.
The doors were sealed. The windows barred.
On the table sat a steaming bowl of calming
tea.
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I stared at it.
Drink it, and I’d be the docile Omega he wanted.
) Don’t drink it, and I’d be labeled unwell.
That night, Luna crawled through the window gap.
She gripped my hand tightly.
“Omega Caroline… they say you’ve gone mad. Is that true?”
I pulled her into my arms, whispering, “No. I haven’t.”
“Then why don’t you say anything?”
I smiled faintly. “Because no one listens.”
That night, I dreamed again.
The flame.
Chapter 4
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The flames returned, brighter than before. Alpha Emery stood in the center of the firelight, smiling at me as he always did.
His eyes were gentle.
But in his hand, a silver blade gleamed.
And he pressed it silently against my back.
