Chapter 2: Lila’s Secret Letter

"What's this supposed to mean?" Rowan's voice was low, almost a growl, as he slid a folded piece of parchment onto the table. His piercing gaze bore into mine, but my eyes were fixed on the letter.

I looked at it as though it could singe me if I reached for it. The ceremonial hall was quiet, except for the soft crackle of the fire behind us. The majority of the group remained outdoors, celebrating the union of Jared and Lila beneath the moonlight, yet here I stood—confronted by something I hadn’t anticipated.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” I answered hesitantly, yet my tone revealed the unease twisting in my gut.

“Don’t deceive me, Claire,” Rowan retorted, his hands pressing on the table as he leaned in closer. His Beta authority was unmissable, even for someone as obstinate as I am. "You were close to her tent before." “Did you forget this here?”

I gulped and shook my head, my fingers itching to grab the letter. "Negative," I murmured. “However... what does it contain?”

Rowan exhaled slowly, brushing his dark hair back with his hand. "I really shouldn't be revealing this to you." Yet there was something about it that seemed strange. "You have every right to witness it."

He pushed the letter nearer. My fingers lingered over the coarse paper before I grabbed it, unfolding it with shaky hands. The graceful handwriting was identifiable—it was Lila’s.

Jared,

This evening, everything will transform. Once the Moonrise Ceremony concludes, you will understand the reality: that I am your sole option, for the pack, and the future we’ve always envisioned. Claire might believe she’s destined for you, but we both understand that the connection of hers is fragile. She is fragile. The elders cannot dispute my ancestry or my power. And if they happen to… therefore, they won’t.

I've managed it.

Believe me, my dear. When this night concludes, you will be certain of who your real Luna is.

Eternally yours,

Lila

The colour faded from my face. My fingers held the letter with such strength that the corners wrinkled beneath my touch.

"I whispered, struggling to express the words, 'She was aware.'" "She arranged it." Everything.

Rowan nodded solemnly, observing my response. "Seems like it." She didn't leave it exposed, however—I discovered it concealed within her cloak while she was preoccupied with enjoying her new position as Luna.

I gazed at the words once more, each one slicing deeper than the one before. What is her meaning of 'managed it'? What was her action?

"That's what I'm curious about." Rowan’s voice lowered, his tone laced with doubt. “Claire, if Lila’s interference in any way impacted Jared’s choice this evening—”

"Certainly it did!" I lost my temper, and my frustration finally erupted. I pushed the letter back across the table in his direction. “Do you believe he would have turned me down by himself?” She… she controlled him. She was untruthful. "She… she took him away from me."

Rowan's jaw clenched. “Take care, Claire.” Making baseless allegations won't benefit you in any way. “To dispute this, you’ll require more than just a love letter.”

"Evidence?" I responded with bitterness. "This letter serves as evidence!" She confessed to interfering with something.

Rowan moved his head from side to side. "It’s insufficient." Not for the older ones, not for the group. "Not even for Jared."

I started to speak to dispute, but the words stuck in my throat. He was correct. Lila had planned it all, and still, this one letter failed to reveal her. The pack had already recognized her as their Luna. Jared had picked her instead of me.

The injustice of everything caused my chest to constrict, yet I couldn’t allow myself to break down at this moment.

“What are we going to do?” I inquired, my tone lower at that moment. "How can we prevent her?"

Rowan's demeanour softened slightly, reminding me that he was not my foe. "We will remain silent about this for the time being." If Lila is concealing something significant, she will eventually make a mistake. In the meantime, you should be wise regarding this, Claire. "Do not let her find out you’ve observed this."

A deep silence enveloped us. The burden of all that occurred tonight—Jared’s refusal, Lila’s treachery—weighed on me like an overwhelming wave. Yet beneath the hurt and frustration, a glimmer of resolve started to emerge.

I couldn't allow her to succeed. Not in this way.

Rowan got up, his chair dragging along the stone floor. "I'll conduct some investigation," he stated, his voice resolute. “You ought to take a break.” "You've experienced plenty for a single evening."

Relax. That could happen.

I nodded nonetheless, folding the note and placing it into the pocket of my dress. “Thanks, Rowan.” “To demonstrate this to me.”

"Don't express your gratitude just yet," he murmured. "If Lila is prepared to lower herself this much to achieve her desires, it's uncertain what her next move will be." "Keep an eye on your back, Claire."

He pivoted and exited the room, his steps diminishing in the hallway outside. I lingered, gazing at the flames while the letter scorched a hole in my pocket.

The fire flickered and swayed, throwing elongated shadows on the walls. My thoughts surged with inquiries, uncertainties, and ideas.

What actions had Lila taken to "manage" the situation? Had she intimidated someone? Corrupted the elders? Altered the bond itself?

And even more crucially—how far would I need to go to reveal her?

The soft noise of footsteps drew me back to the moment. I glanced back, anticipating Rowan's presence once more.

However, it wasn't him.

Lila lingered at the entrance, her silver gown gleaming in the flames, her gaze sparkling with doubt.

“What brings you here, Claire?” she inquired, her tone overly saccharine. “Isn’t it time you started grieving for your little illusion?”

My heart raced when her eyes darted to the table where the letter lay just moments before.

I managed a smile, concealing the turmoil of feelings raging within me. “Merely savouring the flames,” I replied casually. “Every day isn’t an opportunity for me to sit in the ceremonial hall.”

Lila's smile faltered, yet she chose not to pursue the matter. "Alright, but don't linger too much," she remarked, pivoting to go. “You wouldn’t want anyone believing you were looking to cause trouble.”

As she vanished down the hallway, my fingers grazed the creased note nestled in my pocket.

Issue? Oh, I was merely beginning.

The next morning, as I returned to my quarters, a scrap of parchment lay on my bed. It wasn’t the letter I’d hidden away—it was something new.

Four words, written in the same elegant script: “Stay out of this.”