Chapter 57

Daphne’s POV

The sting of that humiliation didn't leave my mind.

I could still feel the ghost of Claire’s slap on my cheek, still hear the echo of the children’s laughter as they clung to her instead of me, and still see the cold indifference in Gideon’s eyes as I tried to get close to him.

Me. The rightful Luna. Treated as though I were a nuisance.

I walked around my room, as I felt my wolf getting angry just like I did. For days since Raven came into our lives things are going south for me, I feel like I am losing control over everything. First Gideon has started to become suspicious about me and is no longer supporting my choices.

Then there is Leo, that annoying brat he always held onto Raven and stayed by her side And now Raven herself had dared to strike me, in front of witnesses, with no punishment.

No. I would not let it end like this.

I dragged out a chest from below my bed and opened it with a small key hidden beneath my pillow. I took out a small vial hidden beneath the silk cloth. I observed the ruby red liquid in the vial glinting under the sunlight like it was sacred blood. I hadn’t wanted to use it. It was risky, dangerous even. But my hand had been forced.

If Gideon would not return to me of his own accord, then I would ensure he never left me again.

The logic behind this was simple. Once I bore his pups, there would be no question of my place. Gideon and his pack will have no other choice than to accept me as their Luna by law and tradition. Gideon’s honor would not allow him to reject the mother of his heirs. And Raven,

Raven could play warrior as much as she wants but after I become Luna I will make sure she disappears from this world.

I held onto the vial with determination and took a deep breath. I knew what I had to do.

Moving quickly, I left my chambers and made my way to the kitchens. The corridors of the pack house were silent, only a few servants walked past me but they bowed their heads low respectfully to me. I felt a bit better after they showed me their respect, but I knew they feared me enough to not block my path and ask me what I was going to do.

As I entered the kitchen the smell of roasted meat and herbs hit my nose. There I saw omega scrubbing dishes. She looked at me startled as I entered the kitchen and quickly lowered her eyes in fear.

“Leave now,” I commanded. She scurried out without a word. Perfect.

I quickly picked a glass from the shelf and filled it with water. I opened the vial then a cloying, sweet scent filled the room, sticky and thick. I carefully tipped the vial over the glass of water. One drop. Two drops. Three. The water clouded for a few moments but then it mixed with the water perfectly, it left no signs of poison laced within.

I smiled coldly as I swirled the liquid slowly and observed the glass of water carefully. This was it—the answer to all my problems. Tonight, when Gideon returned from his endless patrols and meetings, he would drink this. And once the potion took hold, he would crave me. He would come to me. He would claim me.

By morning, I would no longer be the rejected would-be Luna. By morning, I would be the mother of the Alpha’s future heirs.

My lips curved into a smile.

Let Raven fight me with her fists, let her win over children with her so-called kindness—it would all mean nothing once Gideon was bound to me by blood.

And if she dared to stand in my way again, I would crush her.

I carried the glass carefully back to my chambers, each step deliberate and careful. My heart beat faster the closer I came to the moment of truth. Soon, Gideon would return to his office.

Soon, he would drink.

I set the glass on the night stand. And waited for the night time to arrive. I will go to his office and make him drink the water and drag him to my bedroom to do the deed. A perfect stage for seduction.

I sat at the edge of the bed, smoothing the folds of my gown, and waited. I need to have patience. Tonight is going to be very important.

And Raven… Raven would finally learn what it meant to lose.

Claire’s POV

The evening felt calm and relaxed as I smelled the fresh scent of pine and smoke as I walked around the courtyard. While watching the children play. Their laughter should have made me feel good. But in my heart I felt uneasy.

Something was definitely wrong.

This time I wasn't worried about Daphne, even though she is a wolf she was like a viper who is ready to strike anytime. No, this unease went deeper, burrowed into my bones. Gideon.

He had been acting weirdly different these days. Colder one moment, strangely softer the next. His moods have changed constantly these days. I caught glimpses of suspicion in his eyes, as though he were piecing something together, yet he said nothing to me.

And though I longed to reveal the truth—that I was not just Raven the warrior, but Claire, his lost mate, the mother of his child—I couldn’t. Not yet. Not until I knew the full extent of the danger circling us or brave enough to tell the truth.

Still, the silence between us gnawed at me. His silence was making me want to discover what he was hiding.

I leaned against the railing, watching Leo chase Nova happily across the grass. My chest tightened. I had nearly lost him once already. I couldn’t bear to lose him again, he is my son afterall.

And Gideon… despite everything, despite the pain of the past, part of me still trusted him. I still needed him. Still… loved him. And whatever was bothering him seemed very important

I shook my head quickly, forcing the thought away. This wasn’t the time for weakness. I should be focusing on the safety of my children only.

But the unease persisted, clawing at me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Daphne was plotting something, something dangerous. Every time she looked at me, her eyes burned with hatred barely concealed beneath a thin veneer of civility.

She was up to something. I knew it.

And Gideon—gods help me—he seemed more vulnerable to her than ever.

I clenched my fists, resolved hardening in me. I couldn’t sit idle any longer. If I truly wanted to protect Leo, and perhaps even Gideon himself, I can tell he was carrying some heavy secrets which he was not able to tell anyone but I needed answers.

Tonight, I will speak with him. I would look him in the eye and demand to know what shadows haunted him, what truths he was chasing, what dangers threatened our family and pack.

I only hoped I wasn’t already too late.