Ruby''s POV


    That day was just an ordinary day for the Ravenhold Pack. Nothing special, nothing extraordinary, except for Cami''s endless whining about her pregnancy.


    I had no choice but to y the role of the dutiful older sister, sitting beside her as the healer examined her swollen belly. Cami, dressed in a hospital maternity gown, wore a dramatic pout that made my eyes sting with irritation.


    +50


    I sat next to Cami on the wooden cot, holding her hand tightly while Maria, an older healer, prepared her concoction. The scent of herbs and dried flowers lingered in the corners of the room. Cami took a deep breath, her eyes flickering toward me with a hint of nervousness.


    "Are you okay?"


    She nodded, though I could feel the slight tremor in her hand.


    "Just... a little nervous," she murmured.


    I tilted my head, frowning in confusion. "This isn''t your first prenatal check-up, Cami."


    "Still, sister. The nervousness never really goes away. I... worry about my baby''s condition," she admitted weakly.


    I ced my hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze while offering the most reassuring smile I could muster.


    "Your baby will always be healthy. You''re a good mother, Cami," I said softly.


    Cami blinked, a small spark returning to her eyes.


    "You really think so?" she asked quietly.


    I nodded. "Yes, Cami. So, there''s no need to worry. Trust me."


    Healer Maria approached Cami, carrying a bowl filled with the potion she had prepared. Dipping two fingers into the mixture, she then pressed her palm against Cami''s rounded belly. Closing her eyes, the healer began chanting an incantation.


    Cami flinched, her grip on me tightening instinctively. A few seconds passed before Maria finally smiled gently at her.


    "Your baby is healthy, Lady Cami."


    A radiant smile spread across Cami''s face. She turned to me briefly, as if to share the joyous news, then quickly looked back at the healer.


    "So... there''s no issue at all?" she asked anxiously.


    "No, Lady Cami. Everything looks perfectly fine. I can also determine the date of your delivery now," the healer informed her.


    Cami let out a smallugh, this time twice as bright. She ced a hand over her belly, as if trying to shield the little life that would soon be born into this cruel world. However, the glow on her face slowly faded.


    "But I''m finding it harder to sleep," she whined, rubbing her stomach. "The baby keeps kicking all night."


    The healer, an older woman with weary eyes, offered her a patient smile. "That''s a good sign, Luna Cami. A strong baby means a healthy baby."


    VY/ST FII, 25 Apr


    97%


    Cami hummed in response, though she still looked dissatisfied. I pretended to share her concern, nodding along as if I actually cared about her sleepless nights. "Maybe it''s the father''s genes."


    +50


    "Dominic gets restless sometimes andins a lot," Cami said quickly, letting out a awkwardlugh. "Maybe the baby will be just like him."


    I responded with nothing but a smile.


    ''Do you think I''m stupid, Cami?"


    After the check-up, I helped Cami hobble toward the Alpha''s Den, where Dominic was already waiting. The moment she saw him, her entire demeanor shifted. Her exhaustion vanished in an instant, and she threw herself into Dominic''s arms,ughing joyously.


    "Dom, I missed you!" she purred, nuzzling into him.


    I could barely hide my disgust as Dominic wrapped his arms around her and kissed her-right in front of me. As if I wasn''t even standing there. As if their entire existence wasn''t a p in my face.


    I turned away, refusing to witness any more of their pathetic disy.


    Just as I was about to leave, a guard stepped into the room, bowing his head. "Alpha, a package has arrived for you."


    Dominic tensed immediately, his entire body going rigid as his grip on Cami tightened. I nced back just in time to see paranoia flicker in his eyes. Ever since his disastrous wedding, Dominic had been receiving all sorts of disturbing gifts.


    Or, technically, all four of those idiotic traitors had been cursed with the same misfortune.


    Cami whimpered beside him, clutching his arm.


    "Dom... don''t open it."


    But Dominic was too proud, too arrogant. He dismissed her concerns. "Who dares


    to send me things like this?"


    His chin lifted as high as his confidence. "Bring it here!"


    The guard hesitated before nodding and disappearing briefly, only to return momentster with arge box. I frowned at its sheer size.


    Dominic yanked the lid open, and then came a piercing scream that shattered the air.I mped my hands over my ears before realizing that Cami had already lost consciousness.


    She would have copsed onto the floor if not for a nearby guard who swiftly caught her. Meanwhile, I barely had time to react. Together, we dragged her unconscious body onto the sofa. My heart pounded, torn between excitement and overwhelming curiosity. I had a pretty good idea of who was behind this chaos, but I still needed confirmation.


    On the other side of the room, Dominic stood frozen, his face drained of all color, as pale as death itself. He waspletely oblivious to the fact that his second wife had just fainted, her condition now posing a potential risk to her pregnancy. My gaze drifted toward the contents of the box, and I instantly mped my mouth shut, stifling a horrified scream. I stumbled backward a few steps, unable to keep looking.


    A head.


    It sat atop a pool of coagted blood, its lifeless eyes locked onto Dominic in eternal terror. My stomach churned,


    09.31 Fri, 25 Apr


    threatening to empty itself, but that hardly mattered anymore. Not when the realization creeping into my mind far more exhrating.


    My eyesnded on the note beside the severed head, the unmistakable ck wax seal pressed onto the parchment.


    Killian.


    I bit back the smirk that threatened to surface. Of course, he would do something this theatrical


    Dominic''s hands trembled as he snatched the letter and tore it open. His eyes darted frantically over the words, his entire body shaking. Then, the paper slipped from his fingers.


    I stepped forward without hesitation, snatching it up to satisfy my burning curiosity


    [To the Honorable Alpha Dominic,


    I trust this gift reaches you well. A little something to remind you of what happens when someone dares to step into m kingdom uninvited.


    Give my regards to Cami.


    With all my affection,


    The Sovereign Lycan King,


    Killian Rudwick.]


    "D-Dominic, what have you done?!" I asked in panic, staring at him in horror.


    Dominic''s head snapped up, his eyes zing with fury.


    "This is none of your concern... That tyrant—”


    "You made him angry, Dominic! The letter exins everything!" I screamed hysterically.


    Shaking my head, I yed my part, acting like a Luna on the verge of ruin. Both


    of my hands clutched at my head as if it would explode from the sheer weight of Dominic''s crimes.


    "Dominic, if the King has taken such action, then all of us are in danger!"


    He let out a frustrated roar, refusing to ept my words. Just as his hand shot toward me, the office doors burst open with a loud bang.


    Beta Leonidas strode in, standing tall with his air of confidence. A flicker of dark amusement danced in his single eye.


    "Ah, apologies for not arriving with the package. Did I miss the party?"


    田