After My Mate Poisoned Our Son, I Took Revenge

The Great Hall of the SilverCrest Pack House glowed with ceremonial torches, their flames casting dancing shadows across the gathered wolves. My heart swelled with pride as I watched my son standing tall beside his father, his small face solemn yet excited. At five years old, Avery was about to undertake the First Moon Ceremony—a rare honor that would awaken his inner wolf sooner than nature intended.

"Today," Tobias announced, his Alpha voice resonating through the hall, "we celebrate the future of our pack."

His hand rested possessively on Avery's shoulder, and I smiled at the perfect picture they created—my powerful mate and our precious pup. The pack members murmured in approval, their eyes shining with anticipation. A successful early shift would cement Avery's position as future Alpha.

"Bring forth the ceremonial chalice," Tobias commanded.

An Omega servant approached with reverent steps, carrying a silver cup embossed with our pack's emblem. The liquid inside shimmered with mystical herbs—a secret recipe passed down through generations of Alphas.

"This moment will change your life, son," Tobias said, his voice softer now as he lifted the chalice. "Drink deeply. Let the power of your bloodline awaken."

Avery looked up at his father with complete trust. "Will it hurt, Daddy?"

Tobias's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Only for a moment. Then you'll feel stronger than ever."

My wolf stirred uneasily within me, but I silenced her. This was normal procedure—I'd seen it done before. The Alpha bloodline required early awakening for proper training.

Avery took the chalice with both hands, his expression serious beyond his years. The pack fell silent as he raised it to his lips.

"To the SilverCrest Pack," he whispered, repeating the words Tobias had taught him.

Then he drank.

For one breathless moment, nothing happened. The hall remained still, hundreds of eyes fixed on my son. Then Avery's small body went rigid.

"Mama?" he gasped, his voice suddenly strained.

Before I could move, he began to convulse. The empty chalice clattered to the stone floor as his tiny body crumpled. Foam bubbled from his lips, his eyes rolling back to show only whites.

"Avery!" I screamed, lunging forward.

But Tobias was faster. He scooped our son into his arms, his face a mask of concern that didn't quite hide something else—something calculating.

"He's having a reaction," he announced unnecessarily. "Janelle!"

The pack healer pushed through the crowd, her face composed in professional calm. She knelt beside Avery, placing her hands on his writhing form.

"Make way," she commanded, and the pack obediently stepped back.

I tried to stay close to my son, but Janelle's elbow nudged me aside. "Give him space, Luna Sylvia. I need to work."

She pulled various herbs from her pouch—glowing with ethereal light that cast eerie shadows across her face. Beginning to chant in the ancient tongue, she crushed the herbs between her palms, creating a pulsing energy that enveloped Avery's body.

The pack watched in awe at the impressive display. I would have been impressed too, if my son weren't dying before my eyes.

"Avery, baby, hold on," I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

Janelle's chanting grew louder, more dramatic. She pressed her glowing hands to Avery's chest, then suddenly stiffened.

"No," she sighed theatrically. "His heart... it's stopped."

"What?" I screamed, trying to push past her.

She turned to the stunned crowd, her voice carrying perfectly. "The pup was too weak to handle the shift. This is Constitution Failure—a tragic but natural consequence of some bloodlines attempting early awakening."

"No!" I collapsed beside Avery's still form. "No, no, no!"

I gathered his cooling body into my arms, rocking him gently. His skin still felt warm, his scent unchanged—how could he be gone? My wolf howled in anguish within me.

Tobias knelt beside us, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. "My love, I'm so sorry. We never expected this."

His touch should have comforted me, but something felt wrong. As he leaned closer, his collar brushed against my cheek. My wolf suddenly snarled within me.

*Smell it*, she demanded.

I inhaled deeply through my tears, and the world shifted. Beneath Tobias's expensive cologne and the metallic scent of blood lay something else—something acrid and chemical. Wolfsbane. Concentrated. Deadly.

And intertwined with it was another scent—vanilla and nightshade. Janelle's arousal scent.

My fingers froze against Avery's hair as understanding crashed through me like lightning. They had been together before the ceremony. The poison had come from them.

I looked up at Tobias through my tears, seeing him clearly for the first time. His eyes met mine, and something dangerous flickered there—not grief, not sympathy.

Warning.

My wolf bared her teeth within me as I clutched my dead son tighter. They had taken everything from me.

And they would pay.