Chapter 9: The Woman Behind the Fall

Kane returned to the tavern the following morning.

He told himself he was there because an Alpha should investigate an attack involving his future Luna and unborn pup.

But beneath that excuse was a simpler truth.

He needed to know whether Selene had lied.

The tavern owner met him with visible discomfort.

"Alpha heir."

"I need everything you saw yesterday."

The old wolf hesitated. "You may not like it."

"Show me."

The private dining room had already been cleaned, but the tavern used enchanted security crystals near its entrances after several thefts the previous winter.

The recording did not capture every corner of the room.

It captured enough.

Kane watched himself leave.

Then he watched Vivra pick up the glass.

He watched her throw water into Selene's face.

His expression went blank.

Vivra leaned toward Selene.

There was no sound, but Kane saw the slap clearly.

He saw Selene's head jerk sideways.

Then Selene weakly pushed Vivra's shoulder.

Vivra took a deliberate step backward.

Paused.

Looked toward the door.

And threw herself onto the floor.

Kane watched the recording twice.

Then a third time.

By the end, his hands were shaking.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

The tavern owner looked uncomfortable.

"You arrived angry. Then you left with Lady Vivra before anyone could explain. The Beta tried to follow you, but Selene needed immediate help."

Kane closed his eyes.

Again, he had not listened.

He returned to the medical center where Vivra was staying.

She smiled when he entered.

"Kane! I was wondering where you went. The healer says our pup is perfectly—"

"Why did you fall?"

Vivra's smile faded.

"What?"

"Yesterday. Why did you throw yourself onto the floor?"

Her face changed.

"Selene pushed me."

Kane placed the recording crystal on the table.

Vivra stared at it.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then she started crying.

"I was scared."

"You slapped a dying woman."

"I didn't know she was dying!"

"Would it have been acceptable if she weren't?"

Vivra's lips trembled.

"She was trying to steal you."

"So you lied about our pup being attacked."

"I panicked."

Kane looked at her as though seeing a stranger.

"What else have you lied about?"

"Nothing."

"Did you know Selene was sick?"

"No."

"Did my mother?"

Vivra hesitated.

Kane noticed.

"Answer me."

"She told me Selene was weak and wouldn't be around much longer. I thought she meant she was leaving the pack."

Kane's stomach turned.

"And the pregnancy?"

Vivra instinctively covered her abdomen.

"Don't."

His voice hardened.

"I want the healer who confirmed it."

Vivra's face drained of color.

Kane's wolf went still.

"Vivra."

She began sobbing.

"I was going to tell you."

He stared at her.

"There is no pup, is there?"

Her silence answered him.

Kane stepped backward as if struck.

"Why?"

"Because you were coming home!" she cried. "You changed the moment we crossed into this territory. You kept asking about places you and Selene used to go. You watched her house whenever we passed it. I knew you still loved her."

"So you invented a child."

"I was afraid of losing you."

Kane laughed bitterly.

"And I nearly killed Selene protecting a pup that never existed."

Vivra reached for him.

He stepped away.

"The bonding is over."

"Kane, please."

"You will return to your father's territory under escort. What happens after that is between you and the Alpha King."

"You can't throw away three years because of her!"

Kane stopped at the door.

"No. You did that yourself."

He left without looking back.

Outside, the moon was already rising.

For seven years, Kane had believed Selene was the liar.

Now every lie surrounding him belonged to someone else.