Chapter 4 - Thanksgiving Was Never Going to Be His Night
Cassian grew more confident as Thanksgiving approached.
That was exactly what I wanted.
He invited the entire council.
Every elder.
Every high-ranking wolf.
Every neighboring alpha.
He announced a grand ceremony.
His words were carefully chosen.
"Family."
"Unity."
"Tradition."
"New beginnings."
I listened from the far side of the ballroom while Sloan stood beside him.
He smiled for the guests.
He touched her shoulder.
He looked happy.
I almost admired the performance.
Then he found me near the staircase.
"You should wear something nice."
"I will."
"Don't make a scene."
I smiled.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
He kissed my forehead.
The gesture disgusted me.
But I let him.
Because I wanted him comfortable.
That night, I met Garrick and the Vain Guard.
For the first time in twenty years, twelve wolves stood together beneath the Blackwater pines.
I knew several of them.
Some had aged.
Some were strangers.
But every one lowered their heads.
"My lady."
I looked at Garrick.
"Don't call me that."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not a queen."
One of the wolves smiled.
"Not yet."
I laughed.
It surprised me.
I had forgotten what that felt like.
Garrick handed me the command ring.
I put it on.
"This isn't about revenge."
They listened.
"This is about truth."
One by one, they nodded.
"And when it ends, nobody touches Cassian unless the law demands it."
Garrick looked proud.
"Your father would approve."
I looked toward the trees.
"I hope so."
Thanksgiving arrived.
The house filled with wolves.
The dining hall glittered.
Candles lined the tables.
Music floated through the air.
Sloan wore a silver dress.
Cassian wore black.
I wore dark green.
My daughter remained with my aunt in the private wing.
Safe.
Protected.
Before dinner, Cassian took the stage.
"My pack," he began.
Everyone turned.
He spoke about the future.
About continuity.
About the importance of a strong family.
Then he looked at me.
"Unfortunately, not everyone is fit to carry that future."
A murmur spread.
I stayed still.
Cassian called forward the blood-seer.
Elara.
She stood beside him.
She held a crystal bowl.
"I have examined the Luna's bond," she announced.
"The bond is compromised."
Gasps.
Cassian looked sorrowful.
"I did not want this."
I almost laughed.
Elara continued.
"Marin Vain has shown instability."
The council looked at me.
One elder asked:
"Evidence?"
Cassian raised a folder.
"Medical records."
My clinic records.
Altered.
I already had the originals.
Another folder.
"Neglect."
He had fabricated reports.
Another.
"Emotional instability."
He had used messages from postpartum conversations.
Private.
Twisted.
I looked around the room.
Every eye was on me.
Cassian smiled.
"Marin, you deserve dignity."
There it was.
The final insult.
He wanted me to beg.
Instead, I stepped onto the stage.
"Are you finished?"
Cassian blinked.
"What?"
"Your speech."
A whisper moved through the crowd.
I turned toward the council.
"My husband has presented evidence that I am unstable, neglectful, and unfit."
I smiled.
"He forgot one thing."
I held up a small recorder.
"He spoke too much."
The room fell silent.
I pressed play.
Cassian's voice filled the hall.
She was never my mate.
A collective gasp.
Then:
Just a broodmare with a good bloodline.
Sloan closed her eyes.
Cassian went pale.
The recording continued.
The trust.
The winter festival.
The plan to replace me.
The intention to take my daughter.
The council listened.
Nobody moved.
When the recording ended, Cassian looked at me.
"You recorded me."
"Yes."
"You can't use that."
Ruth stepped forward.
"Oh, but she can."
She placed the original trust document on the council table.
Cassian's face changed.
Ruth read Clause Eleven.
"Betrayal includes public repudiation of the mate bond and planned replacement of the lawful Luna."
One elder whispered:
"Then the trust cannot transfer."
Cassian turned toward Sloan.
"This isn't what we agreed."
Sloan stepped away from him.
"No."
He stared.
"What?"
"We didn't agree to murder her life."
His eyes darkened.
"Traitor."
Sloan flinched.
But she didn't move.
Then the doors opened.
Garrick walked in.
Behind him came the Vain Guard.
Twelve wolves.
The room erupted.
Cassian stared.
"The Vain Guard."
Garrick bowed to me.
"Awaiting command."
I looked at Cassian.
"You're done."
He laughed.
"You think twelve wolves can remove an Alpha?"
"No."
I stepped forward.
"The council can."
He looked around.
One by one, elders stood.
The first removed his ceremonial chain.
Then another.
Then another.
Cassian realized what was happening.
The title was being challenged.
Not stolen.
Judged.
He looked at me with pure hatred.
"You planned this."
I answered honestly.
"Yes."
He lunged.
Before he could reach me, Sloan stepped between us.
Cassian stopped.
For one second, nobody moved.
Then a voice came from the back of the hall.
"He isn't even a Morell."
Silence.
Everyone turned.
Marius Vale entered.
Cassian's face went white.
Marius held up the original blood record.
"Ask him who his father really was."
Cassian backed away.
And for the first time, fear appeared in his eyes.
May you like
Not fear of losing me.
Fear of losing everything.
