Adrian Blackwood had never commanded such influence in the Central Territories on his own.
Eight years ago, Blackthorn Pack had been on the verge of falling apart. I had secretly used the power of Silvercrest Dominion to secure his territory and win him powerful allies.
All these years, he’d convinced himself that Blackthorn Pack had become a force other packs feared because of his own talent.
Without me, Adrian Blackwood never would have held on to his position as Alpha.
I ended the call and turned toward the Royal Council Advocate standing behind Grandfather.
“Marcus Reed, prepare two scrolls.”
“First, a Bond Dissolution Scroll. Reclaim every territorial resource and every Founding Alliance Oath commitment I’ve supplied to Blackthorn Pack through Royal Pack Support.”
“Second, prepare an Official Death Scroll and a Cremation Authorization Scroll.”
Grandfather stared. “Elena, what are you planning?”
I looked out the window, my voice steady.
“Luna Elena died in that treatment room yesterday.”
“I want Adrian Blackwood to lose the territory and power he takes such pride in.”
“And I want him to spend the rest of his life regretting someone he can never have again.”
Grandfather studied my determined expression, sighed deeply, and nodded.
“All right. I’ll do as you wish.”
In Frostvale Territory, Adrian was struggling to suppress his growing dread.
Suddenly, a panicked voice burst into his mind through the Mind Link.
It belonged to a Beta subordinate holding down Blackthorn Pack’s territory in the Central Territories.
“Alpha Adrian! Something terrible has happened!”
Fear shook the Beta’s voice.
“Silvercrest Dominion has withdrawn all protection from Blackthorn Pack! Every pact tied to the Northern Territory Expansion has been dissolved!”
Adrian froze, convinced he’d misheard.
“What are you talking about? We’ve always had royal support!”
“Not anymore! Silvercrest Dominion has reclaimed all Royal Pack Support! And there’s more…”
“Our allied packs are pulling their warriors out! Rival packs have crossed the northern boundary markers and are attacking our territory!”
Adrian went rigid.
“How dare they? Aren’t they afraid Silvercrest Dominion will retaliate?”
“Alpha, Silvercrest Dominion has publicly announced it will no longer protect Blackthorn Pack!”
Adrian stood frozen, unable to make sense of what he’d just heard.
For eight years, Silvercrest Dominion’s protection had allowed Blackthorn Pack to expand, keeping rival packs from daring to challenge it.
He couldn’t imagine what he’d done to offend Silvercrest Dominion. He forced himself to think clearly.
“Gather the Pack Warriors and defend the border! Order the subordinate packs to send reinforcements! Contact Beta Derek and find out what happened at Silvercrest Dominion!”
The Beta sounded even more desperate.
“Alpha, the subordinate packs have dissolved their Founding Alliance Oaths! Derek’s Mind Link has been severed too. Council Enforcers took him away five minutes ago for deliberately obstructing emergency medical care!”
“What?!”
Adrian finally panicked.
Just then, the Chief Healer of Frostvale Birthing Sanctuary passed the hallway with several Pack Warriors. They opened the door to Serena’s suite.
“Alpha Adrian, Silvercrest Dominion has withdrawn its royal protection from Blackthorn Pack.”
“The Royal Healing Circle will be leaving shortly, and the Moonstone Healing Array must be returned to Silvercrest Dominion. Frostvale Territory has revoked all your privileges for advanced treatment.”
“After Serena Vale and her pup complete the necessary postpartum observation, they’ll need to transfer to a standard healing facility.”
Serena clutched her newborn pup, her face changing color.
“Adrian! What’s going on? Didn’t you say Blackthorn Pack was so powerful no one would dare touch it?”
Adrian barely heard her.
All he could think about was me, left alone in a treatment room in the Central Territories.
That stabbing pain gripped his heart again.
He called the emergency desk at Blackthorn Healing Sanctuary.
Someone answered.
“This is the Council Criminal Investigation team assigned to this jurisdiction. The sanctuary is currently sealed for investigation.”
Adrian’s breath caught. “I’m Adrian Blackwood. Where’s my Luna, Elena Silvercrest? Where is she?”
The voice replied, “Alpha Adrian, you need to return to the Central Territories immediately.”
“Your Luna, Elena Silvercrest, suffered an acute placental abruption last night. Delays in emergency treatment led to severe hemorrhagic shock.”
Adrian’s knees gave out. He collapsed to the floor, gripping the phone as tears spilled down his cheeks.
“Shock? What does that mean? You saved her, right? I gave her the best healers!”
“Alpha Adrian,” the Council Enforcer said.
Then came the words that destroyed the last of his hope.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Elena Silvercrest and her pup could not be saved. Their remains have been transferred under the supervision of the Council Criminal Investigation team.”
“Before you left last night, you activated a Sanctuary Lockdown Scroll restricting emergency transfers. The Chief Healer and guards then refused to invoke the medical emergency exemption, preventing the healers from arranging a transfusion or moving her in time.”
“The High Moon Council has opened an investigation into your suspected violations of the Moonbound Code and your abuse of Alpha authority to obstruct the Luna’s emergency treatment. Return to the Central Territories and submit to questioning immediately.”
The phone fell from Adrian’s hand and struck the floor.
His mind went blank.
How could this be possible?
“Elena… Elena…”
He scrambled to his feet.
Ignoring Serena, who stood frozen nearby, he stumbled out of the suite.
“Get a plane! Find me a flight back right now!”
“She’s not dead! She can’t be!”
He ran down the hallway, shouting until his voice broke.
By the time he returned to the Central Territories, his gentle, obedient mate wasn’t waiting for him.
Instead, there was an Official Death Scroll marked with blood, along with an order of Royal Sanctions from Silvercrest Dominion. The High Moon Council had also forbidden him from leading Blackthorn Pack until his trial was over.