Chapter 11: The Evidence They Couldn't Bury

The Moon Oath Hall remained silent long after I disappeared.

Lucien was still kneeling before the altar when the first elder finally spoke.

“Alpha Lucien, we need to discuss what happens next.”

Lucien slowly stood.

“There is no next.”

“The Luna ceremony is canceled.”

A wave of murmurs swept through the hall.

My father stepped forward.

“You cannot make this decision while you're emotional.”

Lucien turned toward him.

“Emotional?”

“My promised mate is dead.”

“She was murdered by rogues after calling us for help, and you still care about a ceremony?”

My father's face tightened.

“Watch your words.”

“The Harts had no part in her kidnapping.”

Lucien laughed bitterly.

“No part?”

“You received the ransom demand.”

“You ignored it.”

My mother suddenly stepped forward.

“We never received anything.”

Lucien's eyes narrowed.

“Then someone intercepted it.”

The hall fell silent again.

That possibility changed everything.

If the ransom message had been intercepted, then someone had deliberately prevented Evelyn from being rescued.

An elder immediately ordered the guards to seal the hall.

“No one leaves until we know what happened.”

Vivian's face turned pale.

She looked toward the exit.

Two guards were already standing there.

Lucien noticed.

“Vivian.”

She looked at him.

“Where were you ten days ago?”

“At home.”

“All day?”

Vivian hesitated.

“Yes.”

One of the elders raised his hand.

A memory orb appeared above his palm.

“That can be verified.”

The orb glowed.

Images appeared inside it.

Vivian leaving the Hart estate late at night.

She was wearing a dark cloak.

Her face was hidden, but the silver bracelet on her wrist was unmistakable.

The same bracelet Lucien had given her.

My mother's breath caught.

“Vivian…”

Vivian immediately shook her head.

“That isn't proof.”

“Anyone could have worn my cloak.”

The elder changed the image.

This time, Vivian's face was visible.

She was standing outside the eastern gate.

A rogue wolf was waiting for her.

He handed her a small black pouch.

Vivian handed him something in return.

The memory orb went dark.

No one spoke.

Lucien stared at Vivian.

“What was in that pouch?”

Vivian's tears began to fall.

“I don't know.”

“You're lying.”

“I swear I didn't know they would kill her!”

The confession escaped before she could stop it.

My mother's knees weakened.

My father closed his eyes.

Lucien looked as though the ground had disappeared beneath him.

“You knew they had her.”

Vivian sobbed.

“I only wanted her gone.”

“I wanted you to choose me.”

“I thought if she disappeared for a few days, you would finally stop looking at her.”

Lucien's expression became terrifyingly calm.

“And when she called me?”

Vivian lowered her head.

“I told you she was pretending.”

“When she called your parents?”

“I told them she was trying to ruin my ceremony.”

Lucien stared at her.

Every lie he had believed had come from her.

And every time he had chosen to believe her over Evelyn.

An elder stepped forward.

“Vivian Hart, you are accused of conspiring with rogues to abduct a member of the Ironwood Pack.”

“You will be detained until the council completes its investigation.”

Two guards approached.

Vivian suddenly screamed.

“Lucien!”

She reached for him.

“Please don't let them take me.”

Lucien didn't move.

Vivian's hand stopped inches from his chest.

“You said you loved me.”

Lucien's eyes were filled with grief.

“I did.”

“But I loved a person who didn't exist.”

Vivian broke down completely.

As the guards led her away, my mother covered her face.

My father remained motionless.

For the first time, neither of them defended Vivian.

But their realization came too late.

I was already gone.

Far above Gray Harbor, I stood beneath the silver light of the Moon Goddess.

My body had almost completely disappeared.

Only a faint outline remained.

The messenger watched silently.

“They finally know the truth.”

I looked down at the Moon Oath Hall.

“It doesn't matter anymore.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“Truth is valuable to the living.”

“I don't need it to justify my death.”

The messenger smiled gently.

“Then perhaps you're finally ready.”

I turned away from the pack below.

But before I could leave, a familiar voice reached me through the night.

“Evelyn!”

Lucien stood outside the hall, looking toward the sky.

He couldn't see me.

But somehow, he knew where I was.

“If you can hear me…”

His voice trembled.

“I'm sorry.”

I closed my eyes.

This time, I didn't answer.

Because forgiveness was not the same as returning.

And I had already chosen my way home.