After My Mate Killed Our Pup, I Wanted Blood

The moon hung low in the sky as I watched Reynolds' face contort with rage and fear. The documents I'd shown him—Dante's plans to discard Penny once he secured the Silverfang territories—had hit their mark.

"You have twenty-four hours," I said, my voice steady despite the exhaustion pulling at my limbs. "The original medical logs, Thornfield's confession—everything."

Reynolds' eyes darted between me and the papers in his hand. "If this backfires—"

"It won't," I cut him off. "But if it does, remember who put your daughter in Dante's path in the first place."

The Alpha's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath his skin. "You're either very brave or very foolish, Willa."

"Both," I replied, turning to leave. "That's what makes this work."

---

True to his word, Reynolds delivered. The next evening, as twilight painted the sky in shades of purple and gold, Reed returned to the safe house with a leather-bound medical file.

"He raided Thornfield's private archives," my brother said, his voice tight with suppressed fury as he handed me the file. "The original logs were hidden behind false panels in his office."

I opened the file with trembling fingers. Inside were detailed medical records—blood tests, examination notes, treatment plans—all proving what I already knew in my heart.

"Dante was never paralyzed," I whispered, scanning the pages. "Not even for a day."

Reed nodded grimly. "There's more." He produced a small recording device. "Thornfield's confession. Reynolds had his warriors hold the healer while he extracted the truth."

I pressed play, and Thornfield's terrified voice filled the room.

"I did what Alpha Dante ordered," he whimpered on the recording. "The paralysis was... was fabricated. He paid me well to maintain the illusion. The Luna's... her condition... it wasn't natural. The wolfsbane—"

I switched it off, unable to listen further. Luna stirred within me, her presence stronger than it had been in years.

"It's time," she growled. "Invoke the Rite."

---

The ancient ritual words felt strange on my tongue as I stood before the ceremonial altar in the heart of neutral territory. Reed and his most trusted warriors formed a protective circle around me as I completed the invocation.

"I, Willa Silverfang, daughter of Alpha Marcus Silverfang, invoke the sacred Rite of Grievance against Alpha Dante Bloodmoon for crimes against his mate, his pack, and the sacred laws of our kind."

The moment the final words left my lips, a ripple of power surged through the air. In that instant, I felt Dante's shock reverberate through what remained of our bond.

The Rite was ancient and rarely used—a direct petition to the Lycan Council that bypassed all pack authorities. Within hours, the news spread like wildfire through the werewolf realm.

"He can't touch you now," Reed said, his relief palpable. "The Council has jurisdiction until the trial."

I nodded, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "How long?"

"Three days. The Council will convene at the Grand Hall."

---

I was reviewing the evidence when I felt it—a sudden pressure against my mind, like a battering ram trying to force its way through a fortress wall.

"Willa." Dante's voice slithered into my consciousness, dripping with malice. "You've made a grave mistake."

I closed my eyes, focusing on the mental barriers I'd been strengthening since discovering his betrayal.

"Reed will die for this," he continued, his Alpha tone vibrating through the link. "Your precious brother will suffer Slowly. Painfully. And it will be your fault."

Luna surged forward, lending me her strength. Together, we pushed against his intrusion.

"Withdraw the petition," he demanded. "Or I swear by the Moon Goddess—"

"Goodbye, Dante," I whispered, channeling every ounce of my newfound power into blocking him out.

I felt something snap—a mental tether severing clean. The sudden silence in my mind was deafening.

"Willa?" Reed's concerned voice seemed to come from far away.

I opened my eyes, feeling lighter than I had in years. "He can't reach me anymore."

Reed stared at me in amazement. "You severed the mate bond?"

"Not completely," I said, rising to my feet. "But I blocked his access to my mind. He can't control me anymore."

---

The news of my defiance spread quickly. By nightfall, word had reached the royal court.

"He's coming," Reed announced as we prepared for the trial. "Lycan Prince Kyle himself."

I froze. "Kyle? The prince who executes corrupt Alphas?"

"The very same," Reed confirmed. "He's bringing his royal guard."

Luna stirred within me, suddenly alert. "This changes everything."

I moved to the window, staring out at the gathering storm clouds. Somewhere out there, Dante was realizing his carefully constructed world was crumbling.

And here I stood—no longer the devoted, broken mate, but something new. Something dangerous.

Something free.