Войти~ Harvey ~I sent Brian to question the club staff, and I called in every pack member who attended the parties — brides and grooms both, one by one.Life has taught me there are no exceptions. So I start with my own brother.Derek sits across from me, hands folded, lips pressed thin, already furious just for being called in."Derek. What do you remember about the night I was drugged?" The Alpha command doesn't work on family, so I have nothing to lean on but his body language.He huffs. "I've told it a hundred times. I'll give you a hundred and one, brother. Maya and I held our parties in the same club — different booths, different floors. All the guests stayed at the hotel across the street. I was supposed to take her for breakfast in the morning."No spike in his pulse. Not a muscle out of place. The truth."We were all served by the same two waitresses. Halfway through the night, you vanished. Maya stopped answering my messages. I didn't think anything of it — not until I couldn't
~ Maya ~Spending time with Stacey and Nico leaves me practically flying. I miss my mom dearly, too.I'm meeting Lazar at the coffee shop in the mall, and I'm running quite late — but passing the hunting shop, my feet stop on their own. There, in the centre of the window display, sits the rifle. The rifle — the limited edition Dad spent two seasons chasing, calling every dealer in the region. Unlike most wolves, he loves hunting in human form, too. “Claws make it too easy”, he always said. “A rifle keeps the forest honest.”For one heartbeat, I'm reaching for my phone to snap a photo and send it to him.Then I remember.Dad is... complicated now. He used to be my greatest supporter. He loves me dearly — or maybe loved. The day he slapped me without letting me say a single word, condemning me without a shred of proof — hurt worse than Derek's reaction. I haven't stopped loving my father. But the wound is still raw, and I'm not ready to face him yet.I put the phone away, tear my eyes
~ Harvey ~I clap my hands slowly, mocking Karina. "Stellar performance, sis. I think we've finally discovered your hidden talent — fiction. You should write."She stomps her foot like a stubborn child and sniffs. "Why don't you believe me?"I shrug. "Of course. A very realistic story. A wolfless weakling, not even a witch, suddenly makes dust fly with the power of her mind while her eyes glow with fire. What came next? Did she turn the sky dark, mount a broom, and fly to the moon? And all of it in front of twenty-plus people — yet only you magically saw it."Karina pouts angrily. "But it's true. She did it. Maya has secret powers."I roll my eyes, my ears practically bleeding from this nonsense."Secret powers, my ass. Karina, Gemma told me exactly what happened. You brutally attacked Maya, and now you're inventing crazy stories to dodge punishment. Mother might swallow your pitiful tales. I'm immune. It was two weeks of cleaning the gym. Now it's three. And if you target Maya again,
~Maya ~ I feel antsy, checking my phone again and again. Still nothing from Elder Kit, and the uncertainty is killing me. Already dressed in leggings and an oversized tee, I march to the training grounds. The cool air makes me shiver slightly, but as I move, warmth spreads through my body. It's not that I hate exercising, but combat training is definitely not my favorite activity — especially with the younger wolves, and especially when one of them is— "Oh, the pack Luna graces us with her presence today," Karina mocks loudly, and of course, all heads turn to me. Around twenty young wolves, with the Alpha's daughter clearly their ringleader. "A wolfless Luna... such a shame," one she-wolf giggles. "I know. Ridiculous." Another rolls her eyes. "We're here to train, not gossip," orders the coach, a muscular woman. "Ten laps, everyone." I try to lose myself in the jogging, inhaling the pine scent mixed with warm soil, soaking in the view — but ignoring Karina's stares is m
~Harvey ~ Tomorrow's meeting will include representatives of the High Council of Vampires and their prince, and I truly hope it sheds some light on the deadly threat at my borders. My head aches from reviewing the list of possible masterminds behind the attacks — every name I can think of, written down, and crossed out. And more and more, my thoughts drift toward Maya. I don't want to accuse her of anything without proof. More than that — I don't want her to be guilty. "She is innocent. How can you even think our mate conspired with vampires to orchestrate your downfall?" Zev barks angrily. "She hates me," I hiss back. "Hate? She likes you more than either of you dares to admit." He growls, and I reach my boiling point. Too many questions, no answers. And I am not a patient man. The clock on the wall strikes ten — the hour Maya usually comes home. Of course. Out with her friends until late, every single day. And now my legs carry me toward her bedroom on their own. I need
~Harvey ~ I walk to my study on autopilot. Every time I'm around Maya, I don't feel like myself — as if some invisible thread connects us and makes me do stupid things. I plan to summon my mother, but funnily enough, I bump into her in the hallway. "Mother, at breakfast you lectured us all about rules. Yet the records show you are the one who removed Maya from training." For a second, she freezes — then recovers fast, with a little giggle and a wave of her hand. "Oh, did I really? I'd completely forgotten. Ah yes, now I recall — I simply thought there was no point wasting resources on a wolfless girl." "And what has changed now?" I ask flatly. She shrugs. "I still think Maya is worthless. She was never good enough even for Derek — nowhere near the level required to stand at his side, not even to mention that she does not fit to be your Luna. But with this external threat... those vampire attacks, I mean... everyone should know the basics." I study her. Being wolfless is n







