HIS APOLOGIES CAME TOO LATE

CHAPTER 5

I slipped out of bed at dawn, leaving Dominic sleeping soundly. His arm had been across my waist all night, though his dreams had called out Selena's name twice.

The kitchen had always been my sanctuary. I prepared a hearty breakfast—eggs, bacon, and fresh blueberry pancakes that Dominic loved. My hands worked automatically while my mind plotted.

"Playing housewife so early?" Selena's mocking voice broke the silence.

I didn't turn around. "Good morning, Selena." I said pleasantly, turning back to the gas cooker. "Sleep well?"

She came closer, wearing nothing but one of Dominic's shirts that barely reached mid-thigh. My claws threatened to emerge, but I forced them back.

"Terribly," she sighed dramatically. "The guest room bed is so uncomfortable. Maybe I should ask Dominic if I could sleep somewhere more... suitable."

My hand tightened around the spatula. "I'm sure we can find you a better mattress."

She moved closer, her honeysuckle scent invading my space. "Don't pretend you don't know what's happening, Reina. I've seen the way you look at us."

I kept my focus on the eggs. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Dominic doesn't love you," she said bluntly. "He never has. You were just convenient after I left."

The spatula clattered against the pan. "You need to stop."

"Why?" she challenged. "Because you can't handle the truth? That your marriage is a sham? That your mother was right to betray—"

The sound of my palm hitting her cheek echoed through the kitchen. Selena's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with malice.

You little bitch," she hissed, her hand flying to her reddening cheek just as heavy footsteps approached.

Dominic appeared in the doorway, his expression darkening as he took in the scene. "What the hell is going on?"

Before I could speak, Selena burst into tears. "I was just trying to be friendly," she sobbed. "I told her how much I appreciated her hospitality, and she attacked me!"

Dominic's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to me. "Is this how you treat our guests? Our allies?"

"She's lying," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite my racing heart. "She was insulting our marriage."

Selena hid her face in his chest, her body shaking with false sobs. "I thought we were friends, Reina. I don't understand why you hate me."

Dominic's arm tightened around her. "Apologize to Selena. Now."

I felt my wolf raging inside me, demanding we challenge them both. But the tiny life inside me needed protection more than my pride needed satisfaction.

"I'm sorry, Selena," I managed, the words tasting like ash. "I misunderstood the situation."

Dominic nodded curtly. "Finish breakfast. We have pack business to discuss."

He guided Selena to a seat at the table, his hand lingering on her lower back. I turned back to the stove, my hands trembling with rage.

****

Later that afternoon, I slipped away to Mira's cabin, passing through the woods unnoticed by Dominic's patrol guards.

"It's worse than we thought," Mira said after reviewing the photos I'd taken. "These marks on the map ,they're planning an attack through the northern border."

"When?" I asked.

"A day after the full moon. Fifteen days from now." She pointed to a date marked on the map. "They need Dominic weakened before then."

"The wolfsbane," I realized. "She's poisoning him slowly."

Mira nodded. "You need to be careful. The dose that weakens him could kill your child."

I placed a protective hand over my stomach. "What should I do?"

"Continue gathering evidence," she advised. "But we need to make contact with Alpha Mark of the Northern Crescent. He's been sheltering your mother and he's also our strongest potential ally."

She handed me a small vial of clear liquid. "This will protect your baby from any wolfsbane that might find its way into your food."

As I left Mira's cabin, my phone buzzed with a text from the pack's Beta: Emergency meeting called. All council members required.

I hurried back to the pack house, slipping in through the kitchen entrance.

______

After the emergency meeting, I made my way to the pack archives housed in the basement of the main building. The elderly archivist, Joel, looked up in surprise as I entered.

"Luna Reina," he greeted me warmly. "What brings you here today?"

"Research," I replied. "I need information about pack law regarding Luna succession."

His eyebrows rose. "An unusual request. May I ask why?"

"Just refreshing my knowledge," I said smoothly. "Could you also pull the records from five years ago? Particularly regarding my mother's trial?"

Joel hesitated. "Those are sealed by Alpha's orders."

I leaned forward. "Joel, how long have you known my mother?"

"Twenty years," he replied softly. "She was a good woman ,right?."

"Then help me now," I whispered. "Please."

He studied my face before nodding slowly. "Wait here."

Joel disappeared into the stacks then he returned, placing an ancient leather-bound book and a sealed folder before me. "Be careful, Luna," he murmured. "These are dangerous waters."

I opened the book to find the answer I needed—and something else entirely. Inside was a handwritten confession signed by Dominic, detailing exactly how he and Selena had framed my mother for treason.