the last Nightspire

the truth

The next morning, I woke up with a heavy chest and a pounding headache. Sleep had been a fleeting, fractured thing—Isaac’s face haunted every corner of my dreams. The moment I opened my eyes, I felt it again—that same, gnawing unease like eyes were watching me.

I dragged myself out of bed and splashed cold water on my face, the icy shock waking me up slightly. My reflection stared back at me—haunted green eyes, purple hair tangled from tossing and turning. I didn’t have time to care. I needed answers.

Thyra was already in the kitchen, humming softly as she brewed tea. She turned as soon as she saw me, the warmth in her gaze mixed with concern.

“You didn’t sleep,” she said softly, handing me a steaming cup.

“No,” I muttered, wrapping my hands around the mug for comfort. “I need to talk to Alpha Darius. Now.”

Thyra frowned but nodded. She understood me well enough to know when I was set on something.

The packhouse was bustling when we arrived, wolves coming and going, preparing for whatever daily tasks their Alpha had given them. My heart hammered in my chest as we climbed the stairs to Darius’s office.

Thyra knocked once, then stepped aside as the deep voice of Alpha Darius called us in.

“Come in.”

The door creaked as I stepped inside, Thyra at my side. Alpha Darius sat behind his massive oak desk, a pile of paperwork in front of him. Sunlight streamed in from the tall windows, casting a glow that did little to ease the weight in my chest.

Darius looked up, his sharp gray eyes narrowing slightly as he took me in. “Aneles. Thyra. To what do I owe this early morning visit?”

I swallowed, gathering every ounce of courage I had. “Alpha, I need to know why Isaac Frostblood is here.”

The room went still.

Darius leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Isaac Frostblood?”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “I saw him yesterday. He was watching me—I’m sure of it. Why is he here?”

Darius’s jaw tightened, and his gaze flickered to Thyra for a moment before returning to me. “Isaac Frostblood has reached out to us about a business arrangement,” he said finally. “The Frostbloods own significant lumber land, and he’s offering a trade deal with EmberWing.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. “Lumber? Isaac doesn’t own any lumber business,” I snapped. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Watch your tone,” Darius said sharply, his voice taking on that Alpha edge that made the air feel heavy. “Why are you so certain of that?”

I opened my mouth to answer but froze. My heartbeat roared in my ears, my throat tightening with words I couldn’t say.

Because I know Isaac. Because I know what he is capable of. Because he destroyed everything.

But I couldn’t say it—not yet.

“I just… I know,” I said, my voice small and shaky.

Darius’s eyes narrowed further. “That’s not good enough, Aneles. If you know something about Isaac Frostblood that concerns my pack, you will tell me. I won’t act on vague suspicions.”

“Please, Alpha, listen to me,” I pleaded, stepping forward. “You can’t trust him. He’s dangerous—he’ll hurt your pack.”

“Why?” Darius demanded. “Why would you say that? What do you know?”

The ultimatum hung in the air, suffocating me. Thyra placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, trying to ground me, but it wasn’t enough.

I looked at Darius, his piercing gaze waiting for the truth. The truth I’d buried for so long.

“Because he destroyed my pack,” I whispered finally, my voice breaking. “I’m not who you think I am, Alpha. My name isn’t Aneles.”

Darius stilled, the weight of my words sinking in.

“My name is Selena Nightspire,” I said, tears brimming in my eyes. “And Isaac Frostblood is the reason my family and my pack are gone.”

Silence fell over the room, thick and unrelenting. I felt exposed, my heart hammering as I awaited Darius’s reaction. For the first time in months, I had spoken the truth—and there was no going back.

“But you cannot tell anyone who I am,” I added quickly, my voice trembling. “Otherwise, I’ll be in danger. Not even Bonny can know. I love Bonny—she’s my best friend—but I want to tell her myself. Please, Alpha, promise me.”

Darius’s gaze softened just slightly, though his expression remained firm. “You ask a lot of me, Selena. But if what you say is true, you have my word for now. No one will hear this from me.”

I exhaled shakily, relief crashing over me in waves, though the fear still lingered. This wasn’t over—not by a long shot.