Crowned in Ash and Silver

That afternoon, at the Elders' council meeting, I dropped a bombshell on the pack's leadership.

"The Blight in the southern forest is spreading." I tossed a handful of corrupted, blackened soil onto the conference table. "The source is in the mining territory you manage, and you are completely unaware."

Chief Elder Marcus slammed his fist on the table. "Sienna! You have no place to speak here! Are you trying to get the Alpha's attention with these scare tactics again?"

"Attention?" I sneered, presenting more evidence: preserved bodies of dead animals, mutated plant samples, and a report on the poisoned water supply. "Look at this! This corruption... it preys on those with gifts first. It will destroy our home!"

The room fell silent. Everyone knew I possessed the gift of Earth Empathy.

"Nonsense!" Marcus's face flushed red.

Just then, the door was thrown open.

Horton strode in, his icy gaze sweeping over the council before landing squarely on me.

"Sienna, what are you up to now?" His tone held no warmth, only a thick layer of impatience. "What is this about a Blight? Have you stooped to fabricating lies like this just to get my attention?"

I looked at him, my heart aching as if it were being torn from my chest.

In my past life, he had disbelieved me in the exact same way, right up until it was too late.

"I'm not lying." I pushed the soil sample toward him. "Have the pack doctor run his own tests. Horton, while you've been busy hating me, our home has been dying."

His jaw tightened, his golden eyes filled with disappointment. "You think a stunt like this will make me look at you? Sienna, you're beyond saving."

My heart sank to the floor.

I turned to leave, but my eyes caught a poster on the wall for the "Starfall Festival Blessing Ceremony."

On that night in my past life, Horton had danced with Chloe under the moonlight. That was the softest I had ever seen him.

"You should take Chloe to the Starfall Festival," I said, my back to him, my voice as still as a frozen lake. "She is so pure and kind. Perhaps her prayers can move the Moon Goddess to bless our lands."

I could feel every eye in the room on me, especially Horton's, which was boring into my back with suspicion.

"What are you planning to do to her now?" he asked coldly.

I turned, a brilliant but hollow smile on my face.

"Do to her? I'm simply suggesting you should be with the one you truly love. After all, in three days, I'll no longer be your mate."

"…What are you talking about?" Horton’s pupils shrank to pinpricks.

"I said," I enunciated each word, delivering the final blow, "in three days, you're free, Alpha. You can be with Chloe, openly and without guilt."

I saw a crack appear in the icy mask on his face. He watched me warily, as if trying to decipher what terrible new scheme this vicious woman was plotting.

"Goodbye, Alpha." I gave a slight bow to the entire council. "I just hope you all realize the danger before it's too late."

I strode out of the room, shutting the door on all the shock and suspicion behind me.