ATASHA’S POV


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    How could a werewolf not have a scent? Even if I didn’t have a wolf, I was still an omega. I should’ve had a scent. Or perhaps, I had be so useless and weak that I couldn’t even have one? I had so many questions that needed an answer. But there was no use thinking about it now, not when I was already back at the mansion, waiting for the signal to sneak into my father’s study.


    Cassian had called it “infiltrating,” a word that sounded strange to me. He used it so easily, like it was something normal. He said it would be like spying, but much more dangerous. That alone made my stomach twist. Still, what choice did I have?


    “This quilt, I actually made for Celeste,” Luna Genevieve said as she handed me a thick, finely stitched nket. “But now that I think about it, she won’t really need this kind of fabric in the south.”


    Since I returned to the mansion, neither she nor Celeste had let me out of their sight. Celeste ced the quilt on the edge of my bed, her voice soft and almost too sweet to be real. “I hope it keeps you warm in the North, Sister,” she said, tucking in a corner as if she were genuinely concerned for myfort.


    I didn’t respond. My mouth stayed shut, my hands folded politely in myp. I was too nervous to speak, not because of the quilt, but because the sun had already set, and that meant the Demon Fang attack could happen any time now, just like Cassian said. Which also meant I had to leave this room soon and sneak into my father’s study. The thought alone made my throat feel dry.


    And yet, Luna Genevieve and Celeste had hovered around me like crows pretending to be doves since the moment I returned. Something about their kindness felt hollow. Like they were waiting for me to slip. So instead of answering, I faked a cough, soft, weak, enough to pass for a recovering patient.


    Earlier, Mendez handed me something that would make me look weak. He said even another doctor wouldn’t be able to tell it was fake. It only affected my appearance, making me look pale, but it didn’t change how I felt. I still had all my strength.


    Almost immediately, Celeste reached for the porcin cup on the nearby table and held it out to me with both hands. “Here, drink this,” she said gently. “It’ll help. Mother had the servants brew it just for you,”


    I epted the tea and drank it in one slow, steady sip.


    It was bitter. Thicker than it should’ve been. Tasted wrong, but not unfamiliar. They’d been feeding me this since they got here, always insisting it would soothe my wounds, calm my


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    nerves, help with my breathing. I knew from the first sip what it really was.


    Poison.


    And yet, I drank it.


    Because poison didn’t work on me.


    Still, I had to keep the act going.


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    “I… I think Lord Cassian will be back soon,” I whispered, letting my voice tremble. “And I’m still a little scared.”


    It was a lie, of course. Cassian had already told me what <i>to </i>expect, alreadyid the groundwork for this performance. But I needed them to believe that I was just a frightened girl, still fragile, still lost. Cassian had told me once that this would make things easier. That appearing weak would work in my favor.


    “People overlook what they don’t see as a threat,” he’d said. “And the overlooked are always underestimated. That’s your greatest edge.”


    And now, lying still in this bed, surrounded by enemies who thought I was already halfway to death… I finally understood what he meant.


    Genevieve’s expression softened as she reached for my hand. Her touch was light, almost motherly. “You don’t have to be afraid of him,” she said soothingly. “I know the Lord. He won’t dare harm you.”


    I lowered my head, letting my silence pass for agreement.


    Then Celeste leaned forward, her voice low and full of remorse. “I’m sorry for what I said before… I realized now that it was silly of me to say things that could destroy our pack,” she murmured. “I didn’t mean to me you. I only- I only wish I could take your ce. I wish I could be the one going to the North.”


    The North. Yes, the n was for us to leave this ce as soon as possible. The attack had dyed us, but Cassian said, we will be leaving immediately after I steal the map,


    “Little sister,” I said gently. “There’s no need to apologize. Mother was right. I signed the papers of my own will. I did it for the pack.”


    Another cough escaped me, more real this time than thest. I pressed a hand to my chest, and Genevieve wasted no time reaching for another small cup of tea.


    “Drink it slowly,” she said, patting my back. “We need you strong. You need to recover quickly before you leave for the north”


    I took the cup without argument and emptied it.


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    Genevieve smiled and smoothed the quilt over myp. “Rest now. I am d that Lord Cassian finally allowed you to recuperate here and not in that muddy tent. You need your strength. The journey to the North won’t be easy, and we want you well enough to travel.”


    I nodded weakly, letting my body slump further into the bed.


    She handed me the quilt and added with a soft smile, “Use this. It’ll warm your body.”


    “Thank you,” I whispered.


    Celeste rose to her feet and gave me a gentle look. “We’lle visit again before you leave.”


    I gave them a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “I’d like that.”


    With that, they left the room, Genevieve’s hand lightly guiding Celeste out the door, her voice murmuring something too quiet to catch. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, the warmth I pretended to have vanished.


    I sat up slowly, letting the nket slip from my shoulders. My gaze shifted to the small porcin teapot on the table. It was empty. Everyst drop of it was gone.


    They didn’t leave until I drank all of it.


    Of course they didn’t. A sneer escaped me.


    That had been the reason for their visit all along. Not tofort me. Not to say goodbye. Not to bring a gift or offer apologies. They stayed to make sure I drank the poison.


    And I had.


    Everyst drop.


    “It seems that they are hell bent on killing me,” I murmured as I ced my hand on my chest. I couldn’t understand why they wanted me dead. And I guess I would have to leave this ce without knowing why.


    I looked outside just as the sound of warning drums filled the air. The Demon Fangs are here… and I… I needed to make my move.