5

Nova’s POV

“You’re a fool if you think you’re safe here.”

The voice was hoarse, laced with bitterness and desperation. It echoed through the cold, damp walls of the underground prison. I stood still, arms crossed, staring at the man before me—a shadow of his former self. Once a proud Gamma, he was now a prisoner, chained to the wall like an animal. His face was gaunt, his eyes sunken, yet a flicker of defiance remained in his gaze.

“I didn’t come here to talk about safety,” I replied, my voice calm but sharp. “Why did you call for me? What do you want?”

The Gamma let out a dry, humorless laugh. “What do I want? I want to live, but we both know that’s not going to happen.” He leaned forward, as far as his chains would allow, lowering his voice to a whisper. “I called you here because you deserve to know the truth—about your family. About why they were killed.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my expression impassive. I had learned long ago how to mask my emotions. “What do you know?”

The Gamma’s lips curled into a grim smile. “More than you think. Your parents… they weren’t killed by outsiders. The betrayal came from within the Mooncliff Pack.”

My breath caught in my throat, but I forced myself to stay calm. “Who?”

The Gamma hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for unseen enemies. “It’s bigger than you think. Bigger than just the Mooncliff Pack.” His voice trembled with urgency. “There’s a name… someone in your family trusted them, but they sold you out. Sold us all out.” He leaned in closer, his voice barely audible. “The name is—”

A loud, metallic clang reverberated through the room, cutting him off. My head snapped toward the source of the noise, instincts screaming that something was wrong.

“Run,” the Gamma hissed, his eyes wide with fear. “They’re coming. It’s too late for me, but you—”

Before he could finish, a sharp whistle pierced the air, followed by the sickening thud of an arrow embedding itself in his chest.

“NO!” I shouted, rushing toward him, but it was too late. The Gamma slumped forward, blood pooling beneath him. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, as if silently begging me to uncover the truth he could not reveal.

Footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. I clenched my fists, mind racing. I had to leave. Now.

“You’re hiding something.”

Diego’s voice was cold, his green eyes boring into me like twin daggers. I stood in the dimly lit library, my back against the shelves of ancient books. I had been searching through the family’s archives, hoping to find clues that could connect the Gamma’s warning to my parents’ deaths. But I hadn’t expected to be caught.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said evenly, turning to face him.

Diego took a step closer, his tall figure casting a shadow over me. “Don’t play dumb, Nova. I saw you sneaking around down here. What are you looking for?”

I squared my shoulders, refusing to back down. “What I do is none of your concern.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might actually lose his temper. But instead, he laughed—a low, bitter sound that sent chills down my spine.

“You think you can waltz into my family’s home, dig through our secrets, and think I won’t notice?” he said, his voice dripping with venom. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Stupid? No,” I replied, my tone sharp. “But you’re blind. You think you have everything under control, but you don’t even see what’s happening right in front of you.”

Diego’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means you don’t know what it’s like to lose everything,” I snapped, my voice rising. “Your family might hate you, but at least you still have one. At least you still have your Wolf. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be completely alone? To have no one?”

My words hung in the air like a challenge. Diego stared at me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I feared I might have gone too far.

“I know more than you think,” he said quietly, his voice devoid of its usual edge.

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. But before I could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the library.

Later that night, I sat by the window in my room, staring at the hourglass my mother had given me years ago. I ran my fingers over its smooth surface, my mind replaying the Gamma’s final words.

My parents had been betrayed. By someone they trusted.

The thought made my stomach churn. I had spent years trying to make sense of their deaths, piecing together the fragments of my shattered life. And now, I was closer to the truth than ever. But the closer I got, the more dangerous it became.

I turned the hourglass over in my hands, watching as the sand began to flow. Something about it felt… off. Holding it up to the moonlight, I furrowed my brows as I noticed faint markings etched into the glass.

“What is this?” I murmured to myself.

Carefully, I pried open the base of the hourglass, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, I found a small, folded piece of paper. My heart raced as I unfolded it, scanning the handwritten message.

“The answers lie in the ruins beneath the Scarlet Ridge. Trust no one.”

My breath hitched. Scarlet Ridge was a dangerous, desolate place—far outside the safety of the Bloodshadow Pack’s territory. But if this message was from my father, it was my only lead.

The next morning, a messenger arrived at the mansion. He was a member of the Eastern Alliance, his presence alone enough to send a ripple of unease through the household.

Diego stood in the main hall, flanked by his grandmother and several other members of the Bloodshadow Pack. I lingered at the edge of the room, watching the scene unfold.

The messenger stepped forward, his expression smug. “A word of warning, Alpha Montenegro,” he said, his voice loud enough to carry through the hall. “Your new… guest is more trouble than she’s worth.”

Diego’s eyes narrowed. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

The messenger smirked, his gaze flicking to me. “She’s cursed. Mark my words, she’ll bring nothing but ruin to your family.”

Diego’s fists clenched at his sides, but he didn’t respond. The messenger bowed mockingly and left without another word.

As the doors closed behind him, Diego turned to me, his expression unreadable. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

I met his gaze, chin held high. “I’ve told you everything that matters.”

Diego’s lips pressed into a thin line. “We’ll see about that.”

That night, I approached Diego in his study. He was sitting at his desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked up as I entered, his green eyes narrowing.

“What do you want?” he asked, his tone cold.

“I need your help,” I said, stepping forward.

Diego raised an eyebrow. “My help? That’s new.”

I ignored his sarcasm. “There’s a place I need to go—Scarlet Ridge. I think it might have answers about my family.”

Diego leaned back in his chair, studying me. “And why should I help you?”

“Because if I’m right, these answers could affect your family, too,” I replied. “This isn’t just about me anymore.”

He was silent for a long moment before setting his glass down. “Fine,” he finally said. “I’ll help you. But on one condition.”

My stomach tightened. “What condition?”

“You do exactly as I say. No questions, no arguments. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it my way.”

I hesitated, but I knew I didn’t have a choice. “Deal,” I said quietly.

Diego’s smirk returned, but there was something darker behind it this time. “Good. Then we leave at dawn.”