Seraphine’s fingers tightened around the bottle of warm water while Voren’s question kept turning over and over in her mind, and for a second she almost said yes right away because she hated how too many she-wolves were coveting her husband.

Yet another thought rose just as fast to remind her there were still too many loose ends hanging around and far too many questions that only Daisy could answer.

’Yes,’ she finally answered through the mindlink. ’But not until I get the answers I need from Daisy. You already know the kind of chaos that’s going to explode once everyone finds out about our relationship.’

Voren’s lips curved into a faint smile. Of course. He understood exactly what she meant. Ravyn alone would lose it the second he learned the truth and attention would completely be diverted from Daisy. Also, the other Alphas... most of them still didn’t like Voren because he never supported their shrewd ways of thinking.

They obeyed him because they feared him. Respect was one thing, but loyalty was something else entirely. The second the world found out about his relationship with Seraphine, those especially who were already craving her partnership would begin planning evil.

Then those who wanted her but were afraid of the Alpha code against exes would find ways of causing problems for them.

Even knowing that, Voren couldn’t wait. This would be the last time Seraphine had to handle everything by herself. After tonight, anyone who wanted to challenge her, question her, or even get near her would have to answer to him first.

Across the hall, Nicole kept working frantically over Daisy. She checked her pulse and pressed gently against her chest, refusing to stop until Daisy opened her eyes again. Meanwhile, Ravyn’s attention never left Raul. The fury pouring off him had only gotten stronger.

"Silver chains," he ordered, his voice cold enough to cut through the air.

Damon walked straight to the weapons cabinet and came back moments later carrying thick silver chains, protective gloves already on his hands. Everyone knew why.

Silver weakened a werewolf the second it touched skin, and even an Alpha wasn’t immune. Ravyn pulled on a pair of gloves, took the chains, and wrapped the cold metal tightly around Raul’s body without hesitation.

The reaction hit instantly. Raul screamed as his wolf weakened and every ounce of strength drained out of him. He collapsed against the floor, trembling hard.

"Knife."

That single word carried enough menace to freeze the whole room. Before Damon could even move, Raul burst into panicked cries.

"Alpha Ravyn, please..." His voice shook so badly he could barely get the words out. "Daisy was my woman. She promised me...once Bryan was old enough... he’d become Alpha...then she’d divorce you and marry me."

His shameless confession sucked every bit of air out of the room. Ravyn’s face went frighteningly still. Only his eyes gave him away—they had turned completely black with rage. His grip tightened on the silver chains until they dug deeper into Raul’s flesh.

Raul cried out in agony, his breathing turning ragged as the silver kept draining his wolf and made every second more unbearable than the last. Ravyn leaned in closer, jaw clenched tight.

"And you had the guts, to call her your woman?"

Raul could barely breathe. Pain shot through every part of his body and his vision blurred, but survival forced him to keep talking.

"Alpha Ravyn..." He coughed hard. "I’m... not the only one..."

The room went dead silent. Raul swallowed painfully and forced out the next words. "Daisy... has... a lot of boyfriends."

Everything inside Ravyn stopped. For one heartbreaking second, he couldn’t even think. His parents had warned him again and again. They had chosen Seraphine because they believed she was the right Luna for him.

But he had rejected their choice, convinced himself they were just trying to control his life, and told himself Daisy was the woman he truly wanted, his own choice.

Now the truth crashed into him like a tidal wave. Pain, regret, and humiliation slammed together inside his chest until he could barely contain them. His breathing turned uneven and the veins in his neck stood out.

"Knife."

This time his voice was pure ice. Damon tossed the knife without hesitation, Ravyn caught it effortlessly. Raul barely had time to react before a bloodcurdling scream ripped through the hall.

Blood splattered across the stone floor as Raul writhed violently, clutching himself while unbearable agony tore through him. Ravyn had completely separated his manhood from his body. Several Lunas gasped in horror. Others looked away completely. Not a single person dared step in.

Ravyn slowly rose to his feet, his face showing no emotion and his voice completely empty. "Throw him into the dungeon."

The warriors hurried forward as Ravyn looked down at Raul one last time. "This is only the beginning."

Without another word they dragged Raul away. His desperate painful groans fading through the hall long after he was taken away. Everyone listened in terrified silence.

Ravyn’s icy gaze slowly moved and landed on Nicole. She had finally managed to bring Daisy back.

Daisy blinked weakly, and the first thing she heard was Raul’s agonizing screams growing fainter in the distance.

Her heart sank as fear unlike anything she’d ever known swallowed her whole. She slowly lifted her head and saw Ravyn walking toward her, one step, then another, each footstep sounding like a death sentence.

Unable to stand the suffocating atmosphere any longer, Alpha Mat suddenly pushed himself to his feet. "Alpha Ravyn..." His voice shook. "I’d like permission to leave."

Before Ravyn could respond, Voren spoke calmly from where he stood. "I’m afraid that won’t be possible. The snowstorm has gotten much worse. We may all be trapped here until morning."

Alpha Mat’s expression stiffened. For a split second, genuine panic crossed his face before it disappeared just as quickly. He forced a smile. "I... understand." Slowly he lowered himself back into his chair.

Voren watched him quietly. Something about the Alpha’s behavior didn’t sit right. It was obvious the man was afraid. The only question was... afraid of what?

Ravyn finally stopped in front of Daisy. His towering figure cast a shadow over her trembling body. "How many men?" His voice stayed frighteningly calm. "How many other men have you slept with?"

The question hit Daisy like lightning. Her lips parted but no words came out.

Memories flashed through Ravyn’s mind, the first night they slept together, there had been no blood.

When he questioned it, Daisy had smiled sweetly and claimed she’d gotten up during the night to change the sheets because he was obsessed with cleanliness, and he had believed her. Now he realized every word had been another lie.

"Daisy." His tone turned even colder. "Answer me."

Her entire body trembled. "R-Rav..." Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. "I swear... it was only you... and Raul."

The sentence had barely left her mouth when Ravyn’s foot slammed into her stomach with brutal force. Daisy screamed as her body flew across the room and crashed hard into the wall.

The impact knocked the air from her lungs. She slid helplessly onto the floor, coughing and gasping in pain.

Seraphine’s eyes widened. She immediately caught Damon’s attention and gave him a quick signal. Understanding instantly, Damon rushed forward before Ravyn could attack again.

"Ravyn." His voice rang through the silent hall. "You need to be careful. She’s pregnant."