Raven stood in the entrance wearing a blood-red ceremonial gown, a jeweled collar gleaming at her throat, strolling in like she already ruled this territory.
Her gaze landed on the painted memorial at the center of the space. She pressed a hand to her lips in mock surprise, but her eyes glittered with undisguised satisfaction.
"Oh my. She actually died?"
She walked over and stood above me, looking down at where I knelt, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather.
"I was worried this little runt would fight my pups for the succession rights someday. Well, problem solved. Saves me a lot of trouble."
She tilted her head, a saccharine smile spreading across her face.
"Don't be too sad, Selene. It's called survival of the fittest. She was just making room for pups who actually deserve the Alpha's blessing."
My fingers tightened around my ceremonial dagger until my claws broke the skin of my palm. Blood seeped through the gaps between my fingers and dripped onto the stone floor.
I lifted my head and fixed my gaze on her perfectly painted face. My voice came out raw, like I was choking on blood.
"Get out."