Chapter 3

Juniper's POV

I left him standing there, probably still trying to figure out what the hell just happened.

I made it to the bedroom before my legs started shaking. I leaned against the door, pressing my palms flat against the wood. My whole body was trembling, but not from fear.

I did it. I actually did it.

I walked to the mirror and stared at my reflection. The woman looking back healthy, alive. Not the dying shell I'd become. Tears burned in my eyes but I blinked them back.

"This time I won't make the same mistake," I whispered.

My phone sat on the dresser. I picked it up and scrolled to my contacts. Mom's Cell. Dad's Cell. Two names I hadn't called in years. My finger hovered over Mom's name and I could almost hear her voice, almost feel her arms around me.

Not yet. I wanted to call her so badly it physically hurt. But I had to clean up this mess first. I had to prove to myself that I could stand on my own before I went crawling back home begging for forgiveness.

And then there's my daughter, I remember around this time she had that massive blowout with me over the whole Lily situation. I ended up sending her to stay with my friend to get some space and clear her head. Thank God she's not here right now. I've got to deal with this shit quickly and get her the hell out of this pack.

First, find out what Lily's really hiding.

The next few days were brutal.

Lily moved into community housing like I'd suggested, but the look on her face when Griffin told her was pure venom. She played it off well with her sad widow routine and her soft "of course, I understand." But her eyes promised revenge.

The whispers started almost immediately.

At the pack grocery store, I heard two women behind me. "That's her. The Luna who wouldn't help."

"Poor Lily. And that little boy, only eight years old."

I kept loading groceries into my cart like I didn't hear them.

At the training grounds, young warriors stopped talking when I walked past. Their stares followed me everywhere. Judging. Condemning.

"Cold-hearted bitch," someone muttered just loud enough for me to hear.

I lifted my chin and kept walking. Let them talk. I know the truth now.

But it still hurt. Even knowing what I knew, even remembering how it all ended, it hurt to have my own pack turn on me.

Elder Thompson's wife actually turned around and walked away when she saw me coming down the street. She just straight up turned her back and left.

This is what standing up for yourself looks like, I reminded myself. This is the price you pay.

And I'd rather pay it now than die alone in a hospital bed twenty years from now.

Late that night, I sat in the study with only the desk lamp for light. Griffin was out somewhere, probably checking on Lily and making sure she was "settling in okay."

I didn't care anymore. I had work to do.

I pulled up the pack's combat records on the computer. Lily said her husband died in battle eight years ago. She'd cried those pretty tears at the memorial. Everyone felt so sorry for her.

But which battle? What was his name?

I searched for Foster and found a few, but none of them died in combat. I tried variations. Still nothing.

Then I pulled up the mission reports from eight years ago. The battle where someone supposedly died. There were casualties, three warriors died that day. Their names were listed right there in black and white.

None of them were married to Lily.

My hands went still on the keyboard. You lying bitch.

I printed everything. Mission reports, casualty lists, marriage records. If Lily's husband died in that battle, there should be paperwork. Marriage certificate, death benefits, something.

There was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Lily Foster, what exactly are you hiding?

The Elder Council met once a month in the old meeting hall. I'd never gone before. Luna business was usually handled quietly, either through Griffin or through informal meetings. But this required official channels.

I wore my formal Luna dress, the dark green one that Mom had sent me for the mating ceremony. Back when she still hoped I'd come to my senses.

I'm sorry, Mom. You were right about everything. But I'm going to fix this.

The five Elders looked up when I walked in. Elder Marcus raised his eyebrows. "Luna Juniper. We weren't expecting you."

I placed the folder of documents on the table. "I need to request a formal investigation."

The room went quiet.

"An investigation?" Elder Marcus frowned. "Into what matter?"

"Lily Foster's claim about her deceased husband." I opened the folder and spread out the papers. "I've found significant inconsistencies in her story. The warrior she claims was her husband doesn't appear in any battle casualty lists. There's no record of their marriage. No death benefits filed. Nothing."

The Elders leaned forward, examining the documents. They whispered to each other. Elder Marcus's frown deepened.

"These are serious accusations, Luna," he said slowly.

"I know." I kept my voice steady. "That's why I'm requesting an official investigation. As Luna, I have the right to ensure the truth is known, especially regarding pack members who may be receiving benefits or support under false pretenses."

More whispering. Elder Thompson shook his head. "The girl just lost her husband—"

"Did she?" I looked at him directly. "That's exactly what we need to find out."

Elder Marcus studied me for a long moment. His expression changed, but I couldn't quite read it. Maybe respect? Maybe just surprise that the doormat Luna had suddenly grown a spine.

"Very well," he said finally. "The Council will launch an investigation into Lily Foster's claims. We'll review all records and conduct interviews as necessary."

Thank God. I nodded. "I appreciate the Council's attention to this matter."

As I left the hall, I heard them start talking again. Probably about me.

Let them talk. The truth was coming, whether they liked it or not.

Griffin was waiting in our bedroom when I got home. His face was dark with anger.

"You went to the Elder Council?" He didn't even let me close the door. "You actually went to the Elders?"

I walked calmly to my vanity and started removing my jewelry. Met his eyes in the mirror. "Yes."

"Juniper, this is insane! You're targeting Lily. She's a widow who just lost her husband!"

"If she's telling the truth, the investigation will prove it." I took off my earrings one by one. "If she's not, we all have a right to know."

"You've changed." Griffin's voice dropped low. "You used to be kind. You used to trust people."

I used to be a fool who let everyone walk all over her.

"Maybe I've just learned to protect myself," I said quietly.

"You're destroying our relationship!"

I turned around to face him directly. "No, Griffin. If our relationship can't survive me seeking the truth, then it wasn't strong enough to begin with."

He stared at me like I was a complete stranger. Maybe I was.

"I'm going to sleep in the guest room," Griffin said finally. "I can't even look at you right now."

"That's fine." I turned back to the mirror. "Good night, Griffin."

He left. The door closed with a sharp click.

I looked at my reflection. I was smiling.

I'm coming for you, Lily. And when I'm done, everyone will know exactly what you are.