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Lisna resisted weakly at first, fingers clutching at torn fabric. Fae guided her to her feet, turning her away from the sight.

Then she limply let Fae lead her out.

"Come," she said softly, her heart breaking for her fearless sister.

She did not look back. She led Lisna out of the house, leaving the broken body behind them.

Outside, the world felt impossibly unchanged. Birds called and the wind moved through branches.

Fae held Lisna close as they stepped into the open air. She was shaking like a leaf. Fae could only imagine what she looked like, drenched in blood.

And only then did she allow herself to breathe and cry for help.

***

The Moon Warden arrived at dawn the next day, following Blaidd, who had rushed home once the news reached him. The news had spread like wildfire.

His presence seemed to draw all to him.

He stepped through the tree line in his massive wolf form.

As large as Blaidd, his coat was white as untouched snow, each strand catching the last light of evening. His eyes were a cool, unwavering grey—neither warm nor cold.

He remained mateless.

No one knew where he had come from originally, as stories contradicted each other. Some said he had risen from a bloodline older than the tribes. Others whispered he had been chosen by the moon itself.

He shifted once he stood before the pack. Even in human form, he carried that same weight—broad-shouldered, pale hair falling to his collar, gaze sharp and assessing.

He walked first to Blaidd.

There were no theatrics.

He clasped Blaidd's shoulder firmly.

"You have been through hell, my friend," he said simply.

Blaidd bowed his head.

"Retake your place."

The words carried no doubt.

"You were always meant to be the alpha. These trials have only tempered you into unbreakable steel."

The hall murmured softly.

There was relief in the pack, but sorrow threaded through it.

Maxen's betrayal had cut deep.

He had been trusted, a son of the pack.

Lisna had not attended the gathering.

She remained in her room, seated by the window, staring out at the trees as though expecting someone to emerge. She existed as if lost in a dream.

Fae brought the baby to her. Lisna took the child automatically, settling her against her chest and feeding her with slow, automatic movements. Nothing seemed to touch her.