Seraphine’s bladder had been screaming at her for what felt like forever after she’d been stuck standing in the same spot. Pregnancy had a nasty way of turning every little discomfort into something she just couldn’t push aside anymore.

The pup seemed dead set on reminding her that putting herself last wasn’t going to fly much longer. Figuring she’d waited more than long enough, she drew in a slow breath and stretched out her stiff legs, rolling her shoulders to work out the worst of the tension.

The second Damon stepped forward to take over the confrontation, she knew the timing couldn’t have lined up any better if she’d planned it herself.

Without making a show of it, she slipped her hand around Athaliah’s arm and gave a gentle tug, steering them both toward the ladies’ restroom.

Going alone would’ve been a disaster. Corvine would insist on tagging along the second he noticed her leaving, and she needed him right where he was. Too many questions still hung in the air, and nobody could be allowed to slip off without answers.

As they made their way through the crowded hall, another thought hit her hard.

Voren.

She hadn’t laid eyes on him in a good while. She pulled out her phone and typed a quick message.

’I’m thirsty.’

He’d blocked their mindlink, so it was pretty obvious he and Bloodfang were dealing with something serious. Looking at the tension thick in the room, whatever it was couldn’t be anything good.

To her surprise, her phone buzzed almost right away. ’Give me a few minutes. I’ll bring you warm water.’

Even with everything going on around her, a soft smile pulled at her lips before she could stop it.

Outside, the snow kept coming down in thick white sheets, turning the air bitter and freezing. The fact that he remembered she couldn’t touch cold water while she was pregnant warmed her up inside far more than any blanket ever could.

She was just about to type back when familiar voices floated out through the restroom entrance.

"I still say Sera’s a total bitch. Yeah, she got her divorce, but why the hell claim a kid that isn’t even hers? I got so tired of watching her make Luna Daisy look bad."

Another voice answered, a little more careful this time. "Didn’t you hear Alpha Ravyn killed her child?"

"Oh, come on." A sharp scoff bounced off the walls. "Wasn’t she the one up on that hill screaming about how much she loved Alpha Ravyn? She got exactly what was coming to her. She drugged him, slept with him, got her wish, and now she’s walking around acting all pathetic."

A softer voice cut in. "Even the princess and the prince are backing her. I’d be careful if I were you."

A snort followed right after. "I’m not planning a damn thing. Everybody hates her, but she still walks around like she’s better than the rest of us. Back at the academy I actually respected her because her parents were Betas, then she became Luna. Now she’s lost both titles. Turns out her parents are nothing but lowly Omegas. We Lunas should stick together."

"I don’t like her either," another voice agreed. "She’s always pushing against the traditions. A Luna’s supposed to obey her Alpha, not fight him every chance she gets. She can’t even handle something that basic, yet somehow she’s out there running a corporation in the human world."

"I’m glad you brought up the human world." The woman’s laughter carried clear into the hallway. "Over here she’s nobody without a title. Every Luna in this room outranks her, even if the prince and princess support her. I already made my wish during the Blood Moon Festival for Alpha Voren to become my mate. Once that happens, I’ll finally put Sera in her place where she belongs."

Another woman let out a dramatic gasp. "You wished for him too?"

"So did I."

"Same here." A younger voice joined in, full of confidence.

"You all already have kids. I’m the only Luna here without one. It’ll be easy for me to become Grimroot Pack’s Luna. And when I do, Sera’s going to regret the day she kissed Alpha Voren in front of everyone."

One of the women chuckled.

"If our wishes come true, Alpha Voren won’t be able to reject what the Moon Goddess has already destined. He’s the one leading the restoration of the mate bond. That alone proves he respects the Goddess’s will."

Right then, one of the women stepped out of the restroom. Her feet locked up the second she saw them.

Every bit of color drained from her face so fast it looked like someone had pulled a plug.

Her eyes went so wide they seemed ready to pop right out of her head.

Before she could get a single warning out, the other two walked straight into her back.

"What are you—"

The words died the moment they looked up. All three women froze solid, standing there like statues. Seraphine just looked at them.

There was no anger, hard glare, or mocking little smile, but that calm expression hit harder than any outburst ever could have.

Athaliah stayed just as quiet beside her.

Without giving a single one of the insults they’d overheard so much as a second of attention, the two of them walked right past the three Lunas like the women weren’t even there.

The three of them stayed rooted to the floor. None of them could tell whether Seraphine had heard every word or nothing at all, and that uncertainty alone was pure torture.

The second they stepped inside the restroom, Athaliah quietly locked the door behind them.

She moved from stall to stall, pushing each door open to make sure nobody else was hiding inside.

Once she was satisfied they were alone, she turned around and folded her arms across her chest.

"I honestly don’t get why you kept your relationship with Alpha Voren a secret."

Seraphine stepped into one of the stalls and finally took care of the problem that had dragged her there in the first place.

Only after she finished and came back out did she answer.

She washed her hands slowly under the warm running water, watching the soap bubbles swirl and disappear down the drain.

"If I hadn’t asked him to keep it quiet..." A small smile curved onto her lips as she reached for a paper towel. "How else was I supposed to figure out who my real friends were?"

She left the rest of it unsaid. There was no point bringing up the fact that several of those same Lunas still owed her money.

And Athaliah didn’t need to know just how many secrets those women had trusted her with over the years.

Everything clicked into place for Athaliah in that moment, her smile faded, and her eyes dropped, quietly taking in Seraphine’s words.

Maybe her own life wasn’t all that different. Everyone treated her with respect because she carried the title of princess.

Without it, would anybody still care about Athaliah herself? The thought settled heavy and cold in her chest.

She lifted her eyes again and looked back at Seraphine. "So, when are you planning to tell everyone the truth?"

Seraphine’s lips curved into a knowing little smile. She had barely opened her mouth when a piercing scream tore through the hallway outside.

The cry sounded hauntingly familiar. "Daisy..."

Both women locked eyes, alarm flashing between them.

Without wasting another second, Athaliah unlocked the restroom door and they rushed out into the hall.

The moment they reached the open space, both of them stopped dead in their tracks.

Shock drained every last bit of color from their faces.

Chuck and Noelle were lying motionless on the floor, battered, with missing body parts.