Chapter 10 Trust No One
ARYA
Ryker cracked the door, checking the hallway. When he was sure it was clear, he motioned for me to follow, and we slipped out, moving quickly toward the back staircase that the staff used. No one would expect the Luna to take it.
We were halfway down when we heard footsteps above. Like someone was coming.
Ryker pulled me into an alcove, pressing us back against the wall. We barely fit, standing so close I could feel his heartbeat racing against my shoulder.
The footsteps passed as one of the maids walked off, carrying linens. She didn’t even glance our way.
We waited until she was gone, then continued down. The back entrance led to the service driveway where Ryker had parked his truck, hidden from the main entrance.
We were ten feet from the door when a voice stopped us cold.
“Luna Arya. Beta Ryker. How interesting to find you sneaking around.”
I closed and opened my eyes for a moment, huffing out a breath. We turned slowly.
Councilman Bardon stood in the doorway to the kitchen, a cup of tea in his hands. He looked perfectly relaxed, like he’d been expecting us.
My mind raced. He was one of the Lycan King’s representatives. What was he still doing here?
“Councilman.” I kept my voice steady. “I didn’t realize you were still in residence.”
“I decided to stay an extra day. Something about last night’s celebration felt… unfinished.” His eyes moved from me to Ryker, taking in the bags, our obvious attempt at escape. “Going somewhere?”
“That’s none of your concern,” Ryker said, his voice hard.
“Perhaps not.” Bardon took a slow sip of his tea. “But I wonder if Alpha Jaime knows his Luna and Beta are leaving together. With luggage.”
My stomach dropped. He was going to tell. He was going to—
“Then again,” Bardon continued, his expression thoughtful, “I wonder if Alpha Jaime knows a great many things. The company he keeps. The plans being made. The… convenient timing of certain attacks.”
I froze. “What?”
“I’m old, Luna Arya. Not deaf.” He set down his tea cup. “I heard interesting things last night. And this morning. Things that concern me greatly.”
“Are you going to tell him?” I asked, resigned to whatever came next.
“Tell him what? That his Luna is finally showing some self-preservation?” Bardon smiled slightly, his gaze warming. “No, child. I’m not going to tell him anything.”
Hope flickered in my chest. “You’re not?”
“I am, however, going to give you some advice.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping. “When you leave here—and you should leave—go north. There’s a pack near the border, Silver Creek. Ask for Alpha Cyrus. Tell him Bardon sent you.”
“Why would you help me?” I asked. I’d just met this man last night and with all the things that have been going on, I should be cautious.
“Because I’ve been watching you for longer than you know.” His eyes were kind now, almost paternal. “Your grandmother was a remarkable woman. You have her eyes. Her strength, even if you don’t see it yet.”
My breath caught. “You knew my grandmother?”
“I knew of her. Knew what she was running from when she brought you here.” He glanced toward where Jaime’s voice could be heard, still talking with Elira. “And I know you need to run now. Before they trap you in politics and ceremony.”
Ryker stepped forward. “What do you know about the attacks?”
“Enough to know they weren’t random. Enough to know that the amulet you wear marks you as something more than just a rejected Luna.” Bardon looked at me seriously. “Keep it hidden. Keep yourself hidden. And trust very few people.”
“The messages,” I whispered. “Was that you?”
He didn’t confirm or deny, just smiled. “The door is clear. You should go. Now.”
We didn’t need to be told twice.
Ryker grabbed my hand, and we ran for the exit. Behind us, I heard Bardon’s voice, loud and carrying “Alpha Jaime! Might I have a word about the northern trade routes?”
He was buying us time. I was grateful for that.
We burst through the door into the cool afternoon air. It helped that Ryker’s truck was tucked behind a delivery van that provided cover from the main house. No one would see us getting in.
He threw the bags in the back and practically shoved me into the passenger seat before running around to the driver’s side. The engine roared to life, and we were moving before I’d even buckled my seatbelt.
“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice shaking with adrenaline.
“Just away for now.” Ryker’s hands were tight on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched. “We’ll figure out the rest once we’re clear of pack territory.”
I twisted in my seat, looking back at the pack house as it disappeared behind the trees. The only home I’d known for five years. The place where I’d tried so hard to belong.
And now I was running from it like a criminal.
“Did you hear what they said?” I asked quietly. “About the rogues?”
“Every word.” Ryker’s voice was tight with barely contained fury. “They staged it. The whole thing was staged to make you look dangerous. To give Jaime an excuse.”
“He could have just asked for a divorce. He didn’t need—” My voice cracked. “Why go through all that?”
“Because asking for a divorce makes him look bad. But separating from a Luna who brings danger to the pack? That makes him look good. They’ll say he is protective and strategic. Knows to put his pack first like a good alpha.” Ryker slammed his hand against the steering wheel. “It’s all about optics. About him maintaining his image while destroying yours.”
The full weight of it hit me then. Not just the betrayal, the calculation and premeditation. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision or even a slow falling out of love. They orchestrated this. Sat and planned how to make me look bad. From the staged attack to Elira’s constant presence to the council meeting tonight. it was all theater, and I was the villain in their production.
“I’m so stupid,” I whispered.
“Don’t.” Ryker’s voice was sharp. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for trusting your husband. For believing your marriage meant something. That’s on him, not you.”
“I should have seen it. All the signs—”
“Were designed to be invisible. That’s how gaslighting works, Arya. They make you doubt your own reality until you can’t trust yourself.”
I nodded, blinking back tears because he was right. I knew he was right. But it didn’t make the humiliation any easier to swallow.
We drove in silence for a while, winding through pack territory toward the border. The sun was starting to sink lower, painting everything in shades of gold and amber.
My phone buzzed. Then again. And again.
I pulled it out, dread pooling in my stomach. I had so many missed calls and messages from Jaime.
Where are you?
Arya, answer me.
This is childish. Come back so we can discuss this properly.
The council meeting is in two hours. You need to be there.
ARYA.