Chapter 3

KATHLEEN POV:

When I woke the next morning, the fever had broken, leaving behind a chilling clarity. The first thing I did was use the rune to contact my aunt again.

"The Moonpetal, Aunt Ellen. He's giving it to Ella's mother. You have to intercept it."

Her response was swift and fierce. "Already done, my dear. My warriors have secured it. It is safe with me. Just focus on getting strong enough to travel."

Relief washed over me, so potent it almost made me dizzy. The one thing that could save me was safe.

That afternoon was a masterclass in his deception. He walked beside my wheelchair as a nurse pushed me into the healing ward's sunroom, his hand resting possessively on my shoulder. Pack members we passed lowered their heads in respect, their eyes filled with admiration for their devoted Alpha.

"He is so good to our Luna," I heard one Omega whisper to another. "The Moon Goddess blessed us with such a caring leader."

The irony was so thick I could have choked on it.

To test him, I looked up and spoke, my voice deliberately weak. "Joshua, I'd like to go home. To my parents' manor."

His smile tightened instantly. Panic flashed in his eyes before he could hide it. "My love, I don't think that's a good idea. That place... it holds so many sad memories. It wouldn't be good for your recovery."

He needed time to move Ella and their son out. He needed to scrub the scent of his betrayal from my parents' home. I didn't call him on the lie. I just nodded meekly, letting him think I was still the fragile, compliant doll he could easily manipulate.

Then came the main event. Ella's mother was moved into the healing ward, just two doors down from me. And with her, came Ella.

She appeared at my doorway, her arms crossed over her chest, a smug smirk on her face. She was beautiful, in a sharp, predatory way, with eyes that held no warmth.

"You're looking... unwell, Kathleen," she said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "I hear the healers are preparing a special medicine for you. It would be a terrible shame if something were to happen to it. Accidents happen, you know."

Before I could respond, Joshua appeared behind her. His face was a thundercloud. He was furious, not because she was threatening me, but because she was doing it in public, where his perfect image could be tarnished.

"Ella!" he snarled.

He didn't speak. He used his Alpha's Command.

The voice vibrated through the air, a physical force that made every lower-ranking wolf in the hallway flinch and avert their eyes. Ella herself stumbled back as if struck, her head bowed in submission.

"You will not speak to your Luna that way," Joshua commanded, his voice ringing with power. "Show your respect. Now get out."

She scurried away without another word. Joshua turned to me, his expression softening into one of protective fury. "I am so sorry, my love. I will deal with her."

He looked like the hero, the powerful Alpha defending his cherished Mate. I wanted to laugh. Instead, I just closed my eyes, feigning exhaustion. I would let him play his games. I would gather my strength and wait for the perfect moment to bring his entire world crashing down.

That moment came sooner than I expected.

Around midnight, I awoke, my throat parched. I quietly made my way down the silent corridor to the water station. As I neared the end of the hall, I heard hushed, urgent voices coming from an empty supply closet.

It was Joshua and Ella.

"You were a fool to confront her!" Joshua hissed. "Do you have any idea how that looked?"

"I don't care how it looked!" she shot back. "My mother is dying, and that bitch has the only cure! You promised me, Joshua. You promised you would save her."

"And I will," he said, his voice softening. "I gave the last lunar-array room to your mother, didn't I? Not Kathleen. Isn't that enough for now?"

His words were another shock, another layer of his deceit. He hadn't just given away my medicine; he had given away the very room designed to amplify its healing properties.

I heard a soft moan, the rustle of clothing. They were kissing. In the hallway, just meters from my room, while he was supposed to be watching over his "dying" mate.

The last flicker of hope inside me, the tiny, foolish part that thought maybe he was just confused, was finally extinguished, leaving nothing but cold, hard ash.