Chapter 223: Chapter 223

The morning began like any other, but by mid-day, the entire pack was buzzing with whispers. The spy—the one Damien had locked in the dungeon weeks ago, the same man who tried to poison Elara—was dead.

A guard had gone in to bring him food, only to find his body lying still on the cold ground, eyes wide open, lips darkened. It was clear he hadn’t died naturally. Someone had silenced him.

The news spread like fire.

Maidens in the courtyard whispered behind their hands. Warriors shook their heads, muttering that it was strange he died right when the Luna’s pregnancy was being celebrated. Even the elders looked uneasy, their faces tight with concern.

By the time Damien was told, the pack was already restless. He left his chamber at once, his jaw stiff, his eyes blazing. Two guards followed him as he marched into the dungeon.

The air inside was damp, heavy with the smell of stone and iron. The spy’s body lay stretched out, stiff and lifeless. Damien stood over him, his fists clenched.

“Who saw him last?” Damien asked, his voice sharp.

One of the guards bowed quickly. “Alpha, only the night guard. He swears the man was alive when he left at dawn. By the next hour, he was like this.”

Damien’s eyes narrowed. He crouched low, inspecting the body himself. There was no blood, no wounds, but there was a faint mark around the man’s neck—like a hand had gripped him with unnatural strength. Damien’s mind flashed immediately to Lucien.

He rose slowly, his expression unreadable. “Seal this place. No one goes in or out until I say so. And burn the body before nightfall.”

The guards hesitated, glancing at one another. One finally spoke. “Alpha, the pack… they’re saying it was punishment from the Moon Goddess. For betraying you and the Luna.”

Damien’s eyes turned sharp as steel. “No. This is no punishment. This is murder.”

The guards fell silent.

Damien turned and walked out of the dungeon, his thoughts dark. He didn’t need proof—he knew. This was Lucien’s doing. Killing the spy meant only one thing: Lucien wanted to erase evidence, to keep his secrets buried.

By the time Damien returned to the main grounds, whispers filled the air like buzzing flies. Elara, walking with Mira, heard fragments of it herself.

“They say the spy is dead—”

“—the one who tried to harm the Luna—”

“—the Moon Goddess must have judged him.”

Elara felt a shiver down her spine. Mira quickly touched her arm. “Don’t listen. They twist everything into gossip.”

But Elara’s heart still raced. She knew better. Nothing in this pack happened by chance.

Later that day, Damien sat with the elders in the council hall. His voice was steady, but the fire in his eyes betrayed his anger.

“The spy is gone,” he said. “But his death is no accident. Someone silenced him.”

The elders exchanged uneasy looks. One spoke, his voice low. “Alpha, do you mean… Lucien?”

Damien’s jaw tightened. “Who else?”

Silence fell. The elders looked at one another, but none dared to argue. They all knew Lucien was dangerous, but none of them had the courage to speak his name too loudly.

Damien leaned forward, his voice dropping to a growl. “He thinks this will stop me. He thinks killing one man will erase his sins. But I will not let him move freely in my lands again. If he dares come near Elara, near my child, then not even the gods will save him.”

His words struck the room like thunder.

Outside the council hall, the gossip only grew louder. Some believed the spy’s death was justice. Others feared it was only the beginning of something darker.

But one thing was certain—the pack was no longer at peace. Something was stirring in the shadows, and everyone could feel it.

And Damien knew… the final battle was drawing closer.