Chapter 2

The healer shook his head. "We still haven’t found the victim’s missing heart."

Just then, a pack warrior strode in, carrying a blood-stained hide sack.

"This must be the victim’s heart! We just found it at the entrance to the Alpha’s quarters!"

The healer laid the heart on the stone slab, comparing it to the body.

It was obvious — the sternum and the organ didn’t align, torn apart by external force.

He gasped, "This is a clue! The victim’s heart was injured in life… that would’ve impaired her shifting ability!"

Thane looked uneasy, casting a worried glance at Kael.

"It was found at your quarters’ door… and that heart seems to have old trauma. Maybe you should check…see if Luna Mira is safe?"

Kael’s face drained of color instantly.

"It can’t be her. Mira spoke to me via the mind link just last night, she sounded so full of life!"

I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He’d missed the clue again.

It was true. I’d tried to reach him through the mind link before dawn.

But I couldn’t get a single word out.

After all, by then the silver poison was burning through my veins, and I was too tormented to speak.

Watching Kael mention me with utterly unmasked disgust, I felt a strange sense of relief.

Perhaps he really would be glad to know I was dead.

Thane hesitated, then finally spoke:

"Alpha Kael, maybe you should head back to your quarters to check on things. It’s been so long, and Luna Mira still hasn’t responded. Besides, the attack site is very close to our territory. Usually we’d patrol the area."

"Earlier, the warriors checked the tribe… It’s just, they also went to your quarters, and Luna Mira still hasn’t returned…"