g nothing. "I couldn't sleep with tomorrow's succession cer

then fell on my ash-stained hands. "Lillian, you have a cerem

uous, but I knew he

s chest. I whispered, "I just miss Father. After tomorrow, I'll be the true leade

and and stroked my hair, his voice gentle. "If our great f

my father that way ma

borders have been in chaos lately, and rogue werewolves have been spotted in the

to take the leader badg

his hand to stop him

't changed at all, but a look of worry was e

I can't command th

to do tonight is go back and rest." As he spoke, he used a little more

k my b

rther. I simply turned an

k, he suddenly g

and sank into my skin. The pain made my fingers go n

to my eyes. "You seem a li

had kissed earlier. "I'll be the leader tomorrow. Of course I'm nervous. Erick, you said that

that. He froze for a moment, then leaned

.

horn of the ceremony so

when screams erupted from outside. "S

found Noah collapsed at th

de him, cradling

lay a shatt

used to hold the tonic Noah took

oa

d, but two prie

aside, but Misha yan

eyes red and swollen. "Lillian, how much

us froze, staring over w

rising in my chest. "Wh

toxin in Noah's body. Based on the dosage, he's been poisoned for at least six months.

ly broke into loud,

Lawson was

s mother? Why wou

new all along Noah wasn

said and knelt dow

d the moment he saw me, tears spi

d over his mouth. "Don't be afraid, Noah. No

ad, reaching out his han

ood up and looked toward the healers from the apothecary. "Ha

and not a single one dared step forwar

think I wouldn't come

six months, your attendant has come to the apothecary every seven days to get some Bloodvine Powder. Bloodvine Powder on its own can strengthen the bones

he record bo

Powder bore my seal, even with

t anyone to collect

I closed the book an

d, the leader badge he had taken from

him. "You know I wasn't the on

ed Noah's arm, showing everyone the

ight. Lillian beat him regularly and forced him to drink the poisonous medicine. Because she has no wolf,