(Audrey’s POV)

The hallway outside Florian’s territory den seemed to crackle with unspoken tension. Cassandra Stormhowl blinked rapidly at my direct question about already having each other’s pack contact information, her perfectly manicured eyebrows rising in feigned surprise.

“Added? When did I add you? No way!” Sheughed, the sound a bit too high-pitched to be natural.

I maintained my pleasant smile, pressing gently. “Ah? You didn’t?”

Her eyes darted toward Florian’s study behind me, as if seeking silent permission or confirmation. Something must have passed between them, because her expression suddenly transformed, enlightenment dawning on her features.

“Oh, right!” Cassandra touched her forehead dramatically with her palm. “My memory these days… Pregnancy brain, you know?”

I nodded politely, though I strongly suspected she wasn’t pregnant at all. This was clearly some kind of act.

“I was actually hoping to discuss Florian’s leg pain with you further,” she continued smoothly. “He can be so stubborn about his recovery.”

She turned her head slightly toward the study, raising her voice. “Isn’t that right, cousin?”

I couldn’t hear Florian’s response, but whatever gesture he made seemed to satisfy Cassandra, who turned back to me with a bright smile.

“Let’s re-add each other on our primary packm-links,” she suggested. “That other one is hardly ever used. Must have been some cross-tform mix-up.”

I yed along, pulling out my phone. We exchanged polite smiles as we updated our contact information properly.

“There,” she said with satisfaction. “Now I can reach out if his condition worsens again.”

I nodded, sensing that my time here hade to an end. “Please tell Florian I said goodbye. I need to check on my grandmother at the Wolf Medical Center.”

“Of course,” Cassandra replied warmly. “I’ll make sure he takes his healing herbs tonight.”

As the door closed behind me, I couldn’t help but wonder what game these two were ying. The fake messages, Cassandra’s convenient arrival, Florian’s sudden vulnerability—it all seemed calcted, though to what end I wasn’t entirely sure.

The elevator arrived with a soft chime, and I stepped inside, my thoughts still swirling with confusion about Florian Stormhowl’s true intentions.

(Florian’s POV)

The elevator doors had barely closed when Cassandra strolled back into the territory den, a Cheshire-cat grin spreading across her face. She leaned against the doorframe of the living area where I’d just wheeled myself, watching me with undisguised

amusement.

“What are you looking at?” I snapped, irritated by her smug expression. “Do my healing runes spell out ‘intrigue’?”

Cassandra’s grin only widened. “No, no, no,” she purred, twirling a strand of her dark hair around her finger. “Though you do seem to be nursing quite the borate scheme, dear cousin.”

Her tone shifted subtly, bing honeyed. “Speaking of borate things, I happened to see the most exquisite custom- forged moonstone ceremonial dagger at the Pack Antiquities Guild today.”

I knew immediately where this was heading. Cassandra never mentioned expensive items without wanting someone else to pay for them.

“It costs a fortune in rare sunstone-infused silver and enchanted herbs,” she added, her eyes gleaming with desire. “Quite the collector’s piece.”

“No,” I said tly, turning my wheeled healing chair toward the window.

Cassandra’s expression immediately transformed into one of wounded disappointment. “Well,” she sighed dramatically, “if you’re going to be like that, I might just have to ‘identally’ rify to your ‘ordinary pack friend’ the real story behind that first pack message…”

I closed my eyes briefly, suppressing a growl. Cassandra had always excelled at dramatic revtions, particrly ones that caused maximum inconvenience to others. Thest thing I needed was for Audrey to know I’d stooped to faking messages to get her attention.

“Fine,” I relented with a sigh, pulling out my pack device. “How much?”

Cassandra’s face lit up instantly. I authorized the transfer of pack resources, and her device chimed with the notification. The amount was significant-enough to make me wince internally-but keeping Cassandra quiet was worth it.

“So generous all of a sudden?” she asked, eyeing me with mock suspicion.

“It’s hush resources,” I admitted gruffly, not bothering to disguise the truth. “And since I’m being so generous, I’d like to request a favor in return.”

Cassandra’s eyes sparkled with interest. “I’m listening.”

“Use your connections in Alpha Luna Riverwind’s circle,” I said. “That elder she-wolf you’re friendly with. Find out what you can about Lyra Riverwind’s sudden appearance as Alpha Luna Riverwind’s daughterst year.”

Cassandra nodded, visibly relieved that my unusual generosity served a practical purpose beyond silencing her. “Consider it done. Beta Thornleaf loves to gossip after a few sses of wolfsbane wine.”

She couldn’t resist adding with a mischievous smile, “Switching tactics to win Audrey’s affection, are we? From ying hard- to-get to the ‘pitying pup with a sore paw’ routine?”

I narrowed my eyes. “I can always revoke the dagger’s resource allocation.”

Cassandra merely waved a dismissive hand, clearly unconcerned by the empty threat now that the transfer had beenpleted.

I decided to change tactics. “Will you be bringing Leo back to Central Territory now that you’ve returned for a while?”

A sh of maternal guilt crossed Cassandra’s features. “Yes, I’m picking him up from the ancestral den tomorrow. He’ll stay with me for the weekend.”

“I could look after him,” I offered casually, adjusting the nket over my legs as if the suggestion wasn’tpletely out of character for me.

Cassandra froze, her eyes widening in shock. She knew me too well-my impatience with young pups was legendary within the pack, a trait that had only worsened after the debacle with the Serena Shadowcrest impostor.

She approached me quickly, reaching out to touch my forehead as if checking for fever. “Are you ill? Or has that explosion damaged more than just your leg?”

I dodged her touch impatiently. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“This is the wolf who once said, and I quote, ‘I’d rather hunt a silver-toothed rogue without a pack than babysit a teething pup for an afternoon’,” Cassandra reminded me, crossing her arms.

I shrugged, attempting nonchnce. “She-wolves often have a soft spot for pups,” I muttered. “Thought it might help with Audrey.”

Understanding dawned in Cassandra’s eyes. “Ah! So, you want my little Leo to help you woo your destined Luna?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is there an issue?”

A slow, calcting grin spread across Cassandra’s face. She held out her hand palm-up in a clear bargaining gesture. “It’s certainly doable… but this kind of high-level diplomatic assistancees at an additional premium.”

Of course she would try to extract more resources from me. I should have expected nothing less.

“Our Leo is the apple of the Stormhowl elders’ eyes,” she continued, “and he doesn’tck for basic pack privileges or shiny trinkets. How much are you offering for his… services?”

I didn’t hesitate. “No problem. Once Leo arrives tomorrow, he can have ess to whatever training simtions or rare pup- treats he desires from the Stormhowl vaults.”

Cassandra eyed me warily, clearly surprised by my immediate agreement. “Are you serious? No ulterior motives or hidden packw uses?”

I simply met her gaze with a confident arch of my eyebrow. The price was worth it if it helped bring Audrey closer. Maneuvering my wheeled healing chair to therge window, I lifted my eyes to the sprawling, moon-drenched city outside. The myriad lights seemed to merge with the stars, creating a tapestry of illumination against the darkening sky.

I didn’t believe in fate. I only believed in finding the true Serena Shadowcrest. Or rather, I believed in Audrey Winter, the Audrey Winter she was now.