Chapter 441:

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But beneath the pain, something else was growing. Anger. Not the wild anger everyone accused me of having. This was colder, sharper, focused.

“You should have killed me before you came to warn me,” I whispered.

I wasn’t going to run. I wasn’t going to confess. And I wasn’t going to let my sister bury me beneath a lie she had created. If they wanted to execute Victoria Blackwater, they would have to prove she was guilty.

And before that happened, I would uncover exactly who had put my name on those documents. Even if the truth destroyed my family. Even if the person standing behind the betrayal was the woman I had once loved more than myself.

𝗬о𝘂𝘳 n𝘦𝘅t 𝘧𝘢𝗏𝗼𝗋i𝗍e 𝗿𝖾ad 𝘪𝗌 𝗈𝗇 𝗀𝗮𝗹n𝗈𝘷𝘦𝗹s.сo𝗆

Kade POV

I had Victoria brought to Nero’s office, the folder of evidence sitting between us like a loaded weapon.

“You have one chance to speak,” I said. “Defend yourself.”

Victoria met my eyes without flinching. “I am innocent. And I know who is responsible.”

“Tell me who did it.”

Victoria sat across from me in Nero’s office, her hands resting calmly in her lap despite the guards standing behind her. She looked tired, but she wasn’t frightened, and that surprised me. Most wolves summoned into this room under suspicion of treason could barely look me in the eye. Victoria had spent the last several minutes answering every question I threw at her without once lowering her head.

“I can’t.”

My fingers tightened around the edge of Nero’s desk. “You just told me you’re innocent.”

“I am.”

“And you told me you know who is responsible.”

“I do.”

“Then give me a name.”

Victoria’s eyes moved toward the documents scattered across the desk. Her expression tightened. “Not yet.”

I stared at her. “Do you understand what you’re asking me to do?”

“Yes.”

“No, Victoria. I don’t think you do.” I pushed away from the desk and stood. “Your name appears on documents containing information that should never have left Moonstone. The Rashford pack has been driven from its territory because someone discovered they were investigating an informant. Half the council thinks you’re guilty, and the other half is demanding that I prove you’re not. And you’re sitting there telling me you know exactly who did this, but you refuse to tell me.”

“I know how it sounds.”

“It sounds like you’re protecting someone.”

“Maybe I am.”

The words made my jaw tighten. “Who?”

She shook her head.

I walked around the desk slowly until I stood in front of her. “Victoria, this is your chance. I’m giving you an opportunity to defend yourself before I take this matter to the council and the other Alphas. If you know something, now is the time to speak.”

“I can’t give you a name without proof.” She looked up at me. “That’s the problem, Kade. Whoever did this wanted you to find exactly what you’ve found. They wanted my name sitting on those papers.”

I studied her face. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying you will destroy this family without proof.”

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