Chapter Five - The Traitor
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Chapter Five
The Traitor
“Stop him!”
Kael’s roar shook the hall.
Marcus spun on his heel and bolted through the shattered doorway.
Blackwood warriors lunged after him, but he was already shifting.
Bones cracked.
Muscles stretched.
A massive grey wolf exploded across the marble floor, scattering splintered wood as he charged into the forest.
“He planned this,” Kael snarled.
Without another word, he shifted.
His tailored suit tore apart as midnight-black fur rippled over his body.
A second later, the Alpha of Blackwood disappeared into the trees after his Beta.
Half the pack followed.
The wedding hall emptied in seconds.
I stood frozen in the middle of the destruction.
White rose petals drifted through broken windows.
My wedding dress was streaked with dust and blood.
Hours ago, I’d walked down the aisle believing I was about to become Luna.
Now I didn’t even know who I was.
“Isla.”
Ronan’s voice was quieter than before.
I looked up.
The Ash King hadn’t moved.
He watched the doorway where Kael had disappeared before turning back to me.
“He won’t catch him.”
“How do you know?”
“Because Marcus never intended to stay.”
A chill crept through me.
“You know him?”
“I know men like him.”
His jaw hardened.
“They serve power. Not loyalty.”
Nora hurried to my side, gripping my hand.
“You don’t have to talk to him.”
Ronan inclined his head.
“A loyal friend.”
“I’m her best friend,” Nora shot back. “And until five minutes ago, you were a bedtime story.”
The corner of Ronan’s mouth twitched.
“I’ve been called worse.”
Despite everything, I almost smiled.
Almost.
Then the weight of the day crashed over me.
My knees buckled.
Before I hit the floor, strong arms caught me.
Not Kael’s.
Ronan’s.
I stiffened instantly.
“Don’t.”
His grip loosened immediately.
“I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to.”
He stepped back at once.
The simple gesture surprised me.
After the way everyone else had spoken about me—as if I were a prize to be won—it was the first time anyone had given me a choice.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
His golden eyes softened.
“You’ll always have a choice.”
Before I could respond, Elder Rowan approached, leaning heavily on his carved staff.
“There isn’t much time.”
“For what?” I asked.
He looked at Ronan.
“They’ll be here before sunrise.”
“Who?”
“The other Alphas.”
A knot tightened in my stomach.
“They’re really coming?”
Rowan nodded grimly.
“They’ve already crossed into Blackwood territory.”
My mouth went dry.
“I don’t understand. Why is everyone acting like I’m… important?”
The old man’s eyes filled with something that looked painfully close to guilt.
“Because your family nearly changed the world.”
“My family?”
“You were never an orphan, Isla.”
The words hit me like a physical blow.
“What?”
“Your parents were hidden.”
“I watched them die.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You were made to believe they died.”
I stared at him.
“No…”
“My whole life…”
“…was a lie?”
Before Rowan could answer, another voice echoed through the ruined hall.
“It was necessary.”
Every head turned.
An elderly woman stepped through the crowd.
Her silver hair was braided down her back, and the wolves around her immediately lowered their heads in respect.
“The Seer,” someone whispered.
She stopped directly in front of me.
For a long moment, she simply looked into my eyes.
Then she reached out and brushed her fingertips across the crescent-shaped birthmark hidden just beneath my collarbone.
I gasped.
I’d had that mark for as long as I could remember.
No one had ever mentioned it.
The Seer’s expression turned solemn.
“It has appeared.”
Ronan’s shoulders visibly tensed.
“So it’s true.”
The old woman nodded.
“The mark has awakened.”
She looked at me.
“Child…”
Her voice trembled.
“…your mother isn’t dead.”
The room fell silent.
I couldn’t breathe.
My lips parted, but no words came.
All I could do was stare at her.
Finally, I managed a whisper.
“You’re lying.”
“I wish I were.”
The Seer closed her eyes.
“Because if your mother is alive…”
She opened them again, fear etched across every line on her face.
“…then the one who has kept her prisoner for twenty-four years already knows you’ve awakened.”
Outside, a wolf howled.
Not one of Blackwood’s.
It was closer now.
Much closer.
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