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I exhale a soft laugh. "You always know when something's on my mind."

"It's a talent. Or maybe I just know you too well. What's going on?"

"I need a huge favor.""Go on."

"I need to meet Queen Alice."

There was a pause. "That's not a small request."Just like me, the queen and Katherine met over a work project long before she became queen and before Katherine met her fated mate. They formed a friendship over business. Discovering they both had shifter mates seemed like fate and only helped to deepen the bond of their friendship, so I know for a fact that if there's anyone who would help me get a special audience and the compliance of the queen on very short notice, it'll be Katherine.

"I know. But it's important."

Katherine sighs. "You always did have a way of getting yourself tangled in pack politics."

"This is bigger than politics."

Another pause, then a shift in her tone—more serious now. "I don't want you getting hurt again, Rora. I know how quick you are to sacrifice everything for the ones you love, but these people, they've not been very nice to you and have treated you like a second-class citizen in your own pack—"

"But they still took me in when I had no one." I cut her short, sticking strongly to my decision. "I won't forgive myself if I sit and watch while everything goes to ruin, knowing I can help."

I understand Katherine's angle. I pretty much told her everything about my life in Blackwood, and she's only doing her part as a friend to protect me from hurt. But I know what I'm doing. I owe them now more than before, especially after the care given to my son.

"And you're sure this isn't about Lucien?"Of course, she'll pick on that. I worry my lower lips between my teeth, pondering her question. Sure, there's a part of me that still cares greatly for Lucien and might go out of my way to help him, but this is more than us and the history we share. This is about a community and the lives that can be lost if nothing is done."It's not about him. Blackwood is still my pack, and I only seek to protect them."

Katherine releases a deep breath before replying. I'll arrange it. But Aurora—be careful."

I nod, even though she can't see me. "I will."



The meeting with Queen Alice is set for the next evening. I leave Ronan with his nanny and drive out to the designated location—an estate on the outskirts of the city, tucked away behind thick iron gates and a perimeter of security that made even the Blackwood Pack look lax in comparison.

When I step inside, Alice is waiting for me in a grand sitting room, her presence commanding yet surprisingly warm. She gestures for me to sit, studying me with sharp, knowing eyes.

"Aurora Belmont," she muses. "You've been causing quite a stir."

I smile tightly. "Not intentionally, your majesty."

"No, but that's often how the most important changes begin." She leans forward. "Tell me, why are you here?"

I don't hesitate. "Thank you for giving me an audience on such short notice. It means a lot to me and my pack."She gives me a gentle smile. "A friend of Katherine's is a friend of mine. Go on."

"Blackwood and Silver Pack have been at war for longer than I can remember. It's getting worse, and Silverpack is beginning to hurt other packs. People are dying, and there's no way to curtail the excesses of Silver Pack without a full-blown war or intervention from the royal family." "Is this what brings you to me?" she questions with a raised brow. I don't blame her. She's probably wondering why a half-blood nobody is so concerned with pack business."Yes, my queen. The situation is jeopardizing the lives of those I care deeply for."

"You know," she starts, leaning into her chair. "About five years ago, the alphas from both packs were here to seek a solution to the same issue."

The memory of Lucien telling me about the meeting slowly trickles into my present. It was around the time when he picked Selene over me, and I had buried the memory deep to keep the pain away. "I recall this happening, but I never got the context or detailed explanation about the rivalry or its history."

Alice regards me for a moment before nodding. "The rivalry between your pack and Silver Pack isn't just a simple territorial dispute. It dates back centuries—to the time when the kingdom was still establishing its rule. Blackwood was always one of the strongest packs, but Silver Pack was ruthless and always believed they deserved whatever Blackwood had. There was a time when they nearly overthrew the balance of power."

A frown creases my face. "And now?"

"Now, they still crave that power. Their current alpha has been waiting for the right opportunity to strike."

"Alpha Lucien's leadership was weakened when he lost his wolf," I say, realization dawning on me. "That made Blackwood vulnerable."

Alice inclines her head. "Exactly. The kingdom's legal system has never been properly structured to handle inter-pack conflicts like this. We've always relied on balance—on alphas respecting their borders. But Silver Pack doesn't play by those rules. It's clear we need reform, and I intend to make that happen."A surge of admiration rises in me. Queen Alice is one of the few leaders who has seen the flaws in the system and wants to change them. "How can I help?"

Alice studies me carefully. "By doing what you're already doing—standing at the heart of this conflict and asking the right questions."

I nod, absorbing everything. But a nagging feeling settles in my stomach. There is more to this war than just territory. And then, as if fate itself decided to drop the final piece of the puzzle into my lap, Alice speaks again.