Bound by Alpha's Deception: My Step-Brother's Secret Vengeance novel Chapter 6

The words struck Percival like a silver blade, draining all color from his face.

He stared at the broken seeing-stone in Lloyd's hands, his mind unable to process what he was hearing.

With a snarl that revealed slightly elongated canines, he grabbed Lloyd's ceremonial collar, fingers curling into near-claws as his voice shook with barely contained rage and fear.

"How did this get into your possession? Where is Rosiane? WHERE. IS. SHE?"

"What do you mean 'sank beneath the waves'? Say it again—clearly!"

Lloyd knew every detail of the revenge hunt Percival had orchestrated.

Seeing his friend's reaction, he released a heavy sigh.

"She sent this moon-marked package two days ago. I found it at the territorial boundary, saw your name on the binding runes, assumed it was for the ceremony, and opened it."

"Percival, your pack-sister is gone. This very morning. I've traced her crossing path—the vessel caught in the silver storm has been confirmed lost by all neighboring packs. The Alpha Council has already sent formal acknowledgments of mourning."

"You wanted her life as payment for your mother's suffering. Well, the Moon Goddess has granted your wish. Rosiane is gone—there's no need to shame her memory with those captured moments..."

"Percival, whatever her blood, she was your pack-sister. The one you scent-marked and protected for six winters..."

Percival's body swayed dangerously, his balance failing.

He nearly collapsed, reaching for the wall to steady himself as whispered denials escaped his lips.

"No. Impossible. She can't be gone. This must be her challenge to me!"

"She's angry that I'm taking another mate, that I broke faith with her."

"We shared a mind-link this morning—she promised to attend my ceremony! She wouldn't lie to me. She can't be gone..."

Lloyd's face showed painful compassion as he placed the damaged seeing-stone into Percival's trembling hands.

"Perhaps that was true before, but now she's discovered your hunt. Did you honestly believe she would appear at your ceremony?"

"Did you expect her to stand before the pack while you projected memories of your shared den? To watch her mother be labeled an interloper and cast out and submit willingly to your revenge?"

"Percival, I don't know if Hannah truly disrupted your parents' bond, but in this hunt, Rosiane was the innocent prey. As a newcomer, the pack never truly accepted her. As your step-sister with different blood, she received no protection except yours."

"If we're speaking truth between packmates, the Dreadhowl Pack owes her more than she ever owed you."

"Your revenge was meant to strip Rosiane of her pack status and make Hannah regret her choices. Now, with Rosiane gone to the eternal hunting grounds, your vengeance is complete without the ceremony. Let the memories remain buried."

Lloyd turned to leave, his shoulders hunched with the weight of conveyed news.

"Percival? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost wolf."

"Is Rosiane throwing a tantrum and refusing to attend?"

"You've always been too soft with her. She may be your enemy by blood, but you've indulged her for six years. She's like a spoiled pup who doesn't know her place. After today, she'll be too ashamed to show her face in pack territory again."

"Honestly, Percival, your're so kind. You should never have allowed Hannah and Rosiane into the pack. They should have been left as rogues, carrying the shame of interloper status forever."

"Why sacrifice your own happiness for this revenge? It pains me to see you suffer needlessly..."

The barely concealed satisfaction in her tone pierced his heart like thorns.

He recalled his private communications with Eloise.

The seeing-stone in the totem had been her suggestion.

Besides Lloyd, only she knew of its existence.

With a sudden growl, he gripped Eloise's wrist, fingers shifting into partial claws as his face contorted with fury.

"How did Rosiane discover the seeing-stone? Did you tell her?"