Chapter 77: Silver Wounds and Pack Politics
Chapter 77: Silver Wounds and Pack Politics
(Celeste’s POV)
I woke to the now–familiar burn of silver poison coursing through my veins. It crawled beneath my skin like liquid fire, relentless and consuming. Every pulse of pain threatened to extinguish my resolve, but I forced my face to remain calm.
Victoria’s sacred dagger hadn’t just left its mark on my face. It had carved her betrayal into my very soul.
The scar stretched angrily from my temple to the corner of my jaw. Its raw, jagged edge throbbed with a pain far deeper than its physical sting–a reminder that the woman who once called me daughter had raised a blade against me.
My wolf remained eerily silent, retreating somewhere deep within. She didn’t even growl. Just soft, invisible keening as she licked wounds both physical and emotional.
Beside me, Nina moved swiftly and carefully, as though one small mistake might shatter what remained of my composure. Her silver–gray wolf exuded protective energy, its concern wrapping around me like a shield.
With steady hands, Nina applied another layer of moon–blessed healing salve to my cheek. The cool touch of the ointment contrasted sharply against the burning pain beneath my skin.
“The swelling’s gone down,” she murmured, her tone almost too hopeful, as if willing the truth into existence. “The cut is healing faster than expected. That salve is working wonders.”
I let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Working wonders, is it?” I echoed, the bitterness in my voice unmistakable. “Fitting. I’ll carry another scar for the Winter family’s legacy.”
Nina paused, her hand stilling mid–motion. The hurt in her eyes was painfully apparent.
“Don’t say that,” she said quietly. Her voice wavered. “You’ve endured too much already. You don’t deserve-”
“I deserve every scar,” I interrupted sharply. My tone cut through her words like a knife. “They serve as reminders–of mistakes, of misplaced trust.”
Her shoulders tensed at my words, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she reached for the wooden bowl next to the bedside table, its contents a concoction strong enough to neutralize silver poison.
Chapter 77: Silver Wounds and P…
“You need to take this,” she said, her voice firmer now. She held the bowl out to me, her
silver–gray wolf whimpering quietly at the hesitation in my gaze.
The smell alone was enough to churn my stomach. My wolf flinched internally, recoiling from
the thought of ingesting something so vile.
“Nina, I’ve taken worse,” I began, a weak attempt to brush her off. But her glare told me she
wasn’t playing games.
“Drink it, Celeste.” Her words left no room for debate.
I took the bowl reluctantly, raising it to my lips. The bitter liquid coated my throat like sludge,
its foul taste clinging to me long after I forced the last drop down.
“Happy now?” I asked, my voice hoarse from the effort of swallowing.
“It’s not about happiness,” she said matter–of–factly, placing the bowl aside. Her silver–gray
wolf whined softly. “It’s about keeping you alive.”
I huffed a quiet breath, leaning back against the pillows as the concoction began its work. The
fire within me softened slightly, but it was nowhere near extinguished.
Nina’s movements quickened as she cleaned up the remaining tools and dried cloths
scattered around. But her body language betrayed her unease.
She was holding something back.
“What is it, Nina?” I asked abruptly, my tone sharper than intended.
She froze for a moment, her hands tightening on a jar of salve. “What do you mean?”
“You have that look,” I said flatly. “That ‘I know something, but I’m afraid to tell you‘ look.”
Her wolf gave a guilty whimper, and she sighed deeply, lowering the jar in her hands.
“They punished Lucas and Scarlett last night,” she admitted carefully, her words slow and
deliberate.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips, humorless and sharp. “Punished,” I repeated, as though the very concept was foreign. “What does punishment even mean to this pack?”
Her wolf bristled slightly, uneasy at my tone. Still, she continued. “They were taken to the Sacred Moon Temple. Chained with silver.”
My eyebrow lifted, the faintest trace of amusement creeping into my voice. “Silver chains?” I echoed mockingly. “For how long?”
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Chapter 77: Silver Wounds and P…
Her hesitation answered before she did.
“Scarlett didn’t make it through the night,” she said finally. Her voice was tighter now, frustration leaking into her words. “She… collapsed before dawn. They released her early.”
The irony of it was almost too painful to bear. Another laugh bubbled in my throat–low and
bitter.
“One night,” I muttered, more to myself than her. “One night, and she collapses. How
predictable.”
Nina’s wolf bristled again, its energy sharp and protective now. “Lucas is still there,” she added
hastily. “Alpha James ordered him to endure three full days.”
“Three days,” I said dryly, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. “Seems generous, considering he hired mercenaries to kidnap me.”
A low growl escaped Nina’s throat, her wolf’s anger barely contained. “It’s not enough,” she
snapped. Her hands trembled slightly as she replaced the salve jar on the table. “After
everything he’s done, three days is nothing.”
Her rage simmered just below the surface, raw and unfiltered. I softened my gaze slightly,
reaching out to rest a hand on her trembling arm.
“Nina,” I said quietly, my voice gentler now. “I know how you feel. But we can’t afford to act recklessly.”
Her silver–gray wolf whimpered softly under my touch, its fierce loyalty dimmed momentarily by my calmness.
“I’m tired of seeing them get away with everything,” she muttered. Her voice was thick with
frustration. “They’ve torn this pack apart. They’ve hurt you more than anyone.”
I nodded slowly, letting her words sink in. “They have,” I agreed. “But retaliation won’t solve
this.”
She looked at me, her expression caught between confusion and resignation.
“We need strategy,” I continued firmly. My violet eyes locked onto hers, unyielding. “The kind
that exposes the truth without us becoming monsters in the process.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she nodded reluctantly. The tension in her shoulders
eased slightly, though her wolf’s bristling energy didn’t fully subside.
As she busied herself with tending to my bandages, I leaned back, letting my eyes drift toward the window. The storm outside mirrored the storm within, each rumble of thunder vibrating in
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Chapter 77: Silver Wounds and P….
8 Point!
time with the silver burns on my skin.
“How does it look?” I asked after a moment, motioning toward my face.
Nina studied the mirror’s reflection carefully before answering. “The scarf hides it well,” she
said softly. “No one will notice unless they look closely.”
I nodded, satisfied enough. “Good. I don’t want Eleanor worrying more than she already does.”
Her expression shifted immediately, her wolf letting out a quiet whimper. “She’s stable,” Nina
assured me quickly. “The pack healer said her wolf is holding steady.”
Relief surged through me, easing some of the tension in my chest. Eleanor’s fragile health had
been my greatest concern since last night.
I pushed the blankets off me carefully, ignoring the sharp protests of my muscles.
“Celeste,” Nina began urgently, rushing to steady me. Her silver–gray wolf pressed protectively
against my side. “You shouldn’t-”
“I need to see Eleanor,” I interrupted, my voice firm despite the exhaustion clawing at me.
Her silver–gray wolf whined quietly, torn between obedience and concern. But she nodded,
falling into step beside me as I tested my balance.
“You should rest,” she urged one last time, her tone softer, almost begging.
“I need to see her,” I repeated resolutely. The determination in my voice left no room for
argument.
Nina helped me into my outer robes, her movements quick but careful. She ensured every
button was secured, every scarf properly arranged to hide the evidence of my weakness.
As we stepped toward the door, I glanced back at her one final time.
“If Eleanor asks,” I said evenly, my voice steady, “tell her the silver poisoning is barely affecting
me.”
Nina hesitated briefly, her wolf’s whimper betraying her reluctance. But she dipped her head in
silent agreement.
