Chapter 7

## Isolde's POV

Morning sunlight filtered through the delicate petals of the flowers in my private garden. Hidden among the roses and lilies grew something far more useful—ragweed. I carefully plucked several sprigs, mindful not to damage the leaves where the strongest toxins resided.

Back in my room, I ground the dried leaves into a fine powder, watching with satisfaction as it collected in a small crystal vial. This particular plant was notorious among shifters—harmless to humans, but devastating to wolves, especially those not yet manifested.

I slipped the vial onto a thin silver chain and tucked it beneath my blouse, feeling the cool glass against my skin. The plan was simple: prevent Elara from gaining her wolf form on her eighteenth birthday. Without her wolf, she would remain inferior despite her combat skills.

I smiled at my reflection. No matter how talented Elara might be in human form, without a wolf, she would never truly belong among us. And I would maintain my position at the academy.

---

The birthday celebration at Alpha Alaric's home was exactly as I'd expected—extravagant and crowded with important people. I scanned the room, quickly spotting Elara in her pink dress, laughing with guests.

"So, what exactly are we doing here?" Jaxon whispered beside me, shifting uncomfortably in his suit.

I offered him my sweetest smile. "We're here to support the birthday girl, of course."

"Why? We broke up, remember? I left her for you."

I suppressed an eye roll. Technically, Elara had left him after catching us together, but details hardly mattered. Jaxon wasn't particularly important to me beyond his usefulness. His father was on the Alpha Council, and being associated with him had its benefits. Plus, he was handsome enough to be seen with.

"Jaxon," I said patiently, "you'll be an Alpha someday. Elara is Alpha Alaric's daughter. We're here for the same reason all the other Alphas are—to make an impression, to get ahead. Now go mingle with some Alphas."

He rolled his eyes but wandered off into the crowd. Elara hadn't noticed us yet, which was perfect for my plan. I watched as she took a small sip from her wine glass before setting it on a nearby table and turning to speak with someone.

This was my chance. I discreetly opened the vial hanging around my neck and approached her table. With both Elara and her conversation partner distracted, I quickly tipped several drops of the powder into her drink without touching the glass. I watched with satisfaction as the powder dissolved instantly, then walked away.

---

## Caius's POV

"I need fingerprint testing on this glass immediately. DNA analysis too," Alpha Alaric ordered his Beta, who carefully took Elara's glass using gloves.

Turning to a staff member, Alaric continued, "I need a list of every guest here tonight. No one leaves without their name being recorded."

We need to go upstairs. Our mate is sick. She needs us, Max urged in my mind, but I ignored him.

"Alpha Alaric?" I approached.

"Hey, Caius. I'm sorry, I can't talk right now—"

"Poisoning?" I interrupted.

Alaric's eyes narrowed. "I believe so, but I'm waiting for the doctor to confirm. He'll be here shortly."

"What can I do to help?"

"Make sure no one enters her room. I've placed guards outside, but I need someone at her door as well."

"I'll head upstairs now."

"You're a good man, Caius," he said, patting my back before walking away.

I positioned myself outside Elara's bedroom door, feeling Max's growing agitation. He desperately wanted to see Elara, but I couldn't allow myself to enter her room. I leaned against the door, inhaling her sweet honeysuckle scent.

My mind flashed back to the previous morning when she had kissed me. Max hadn't sensed she was our mate then. Yet he was drawn to her in a way I'd never experienced before.

She was supposed to get her wolf today, Max explained. I can feel her nearby. When I sensed her, I knew she was our mate. But the poison is blocking her now. She exists... but doesn't exist at the same time.

That sounds like ragweed, I thought. Which means in a few days, when it leaves her system, she'll sense we're her mate.

The door behind me opened, and Luna Rhiannon stepped into the hallway. She stopped when she saw me.

"Is everything alright, Alpha?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

I noticed immediately how much she looked like Elara—or rather, how much Elara looked like her. Both had the same deep red hair and the same striking heterochromatic eyes that seemed almost supernatural.

"Alpha Alaric ordered me to stand guard and ensure no one enters," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

"I see." Worry clouded her eyes. "The doctor will be here soon. Would you let me know when he arrives? I need to speak with my husband downstairs. I believe she's been poisoned. Her symptoms are strange..."

"Of course."

She gave me a small smile and left. After a moment's hesitation and with Max's persistent urging, I decided to check on Elara.

She lay on the bed with her eyes closed, her face still flushed and beaded with sweat. She was burning with fever, whimpering softly in discomfort as she twisted on the bed, seeking relief.

I reached out, gently placing my hand on her forehead. At my touch, she immediately calmed, sighing and placing her own hand over mine to keep it in place. I took in her fragile form, still dressed in her pink evening gown. Even in her distress, she looked stunning.

Her eyes fluttered open slightly. "Professor Caius?" Her voice was weak and drowsy.

"Rest," I said softly.

When I tried to withdraw my hand, she gripped it with surprising strength for someone recently poisoned and half-conscious.

"Don't go..." she whimpered. "Your hand feels nice... cool and comfortable..."

"I can get you a cold cloth," I offered.

She shook her head, sweat forming against my palm. "No... this is good..." Her eyes closed again. "You're so handsome..."

I raised an eyebrow at her words.

"Painfully handsome. Why are you so—" Her voice trailed off as sleep reclaimed her.

I was surprised by her directness, though a sufficient dose of ragweed often caused hallucinations. I gently extracted my hand from hers once sleep had relaxed her grip.

I retrieved a cloth from the bathroom and soaked it in cold water. As I placed it on her forehead, I noticed the flush in her cheeks beginning to recede.

"That feels good..." she sighed, her lips curving slightly.

As I turned to leave again, her voice stopped me.

"You were my first kiss..." she murmured.

I was surprised to learn that our hallway encounter had been her first kiss.

"You were my first kiss... Professor Caius... you kissed... a... Volana..."

She fell back asleep before completing her sentence.

I stared at her in shock, completely frozen.