A Sister's Game

The moon hung high over the Crescent Pack, casting pale light over the silent streets. Two figures moved like whispers through the shadows, their steps light and deliberate. Fenrir's spies had made it past the borders undetected, slipping through the blind spots of the pack's patrols. They had one task—watch Lucian and Selene, find their weaknesses, and report back.

Perched on the roof of an abandoned storage house, the spies observed the Alpha Mansion. Inside, they could see Lucian sitting on the edge of his bed, his face buried in his hands. His posture was tense, his breathing heavy. The larger of the two spies, a man with sharp amber eyes, smirked.

"He doesn't look like an Alpha who just chose his true mate," he murmured.

The second spy, leaner and more cautious, nodded. "Something's wrong. Look at him—he's struggling."

The door to Lucian's room creaked open, and Selene stepped inside. She moved gracefully, her voice soft as she approached him. "Lucian," she whispered, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder.

The moment she touched him, Lucian tensed—but then, his shoulders slowly relaxed. His eyes, which had been clouded with confusion and frustration, dulled slightly.

The spies exchanged glances.

"She's keeping him under control," the lean one muttered.

"Not perfectly," the other replied. "That means there's a crack in her spell."

The spies had seen enough—for now. They moved silently, making their way toward the packhouse where most of the warriors resided. They were about to leave when they heard voices from an open window.

Inside, Magnus stood with his fists clenched, glaring at a group of guards. Rowan stood beside him, looking equally determined.

"I don't care what orders you were given," Magnus growled.

"Where is Adira?"

The guards shifted uncomfortably. One finally spoke, his voice hesitant. "Alpha Lucian commanded us to take her out of town… to make sure she never returns."

Magnus's expression darkened. "And you just followed orders? You knew she was his mate!"

One of the guards lowered his gaze, but another straightened. "He rejected her. We had no choice."

Rowan stepped forward, anger flashing in his eyes. "Lucian isn't himself. Something is wrong, and you know it."

Magnus took a deep breath, his rage barely contained. "Find her. I don't care what it takes. She's not gone, not yet."

The spies retreated into the darkness. This was unexpected. Magnus wasn't just back—he was searching for Adira. And if he found her, everything could change.

Hours later, the spies knelt before Fenrir in his darkened hideout.

The rogue Alpha leaned against his chair, fingers tapping against the armrest as he listened. His expression was unreadable, but his golden eyes gleamed with interest.

"So… Magnus is looking for Adira," Fenrir mused. "That's an interesting turn of events."

Thalia, sitting nearby, crossed her arms. "Lucian's spell is weak. If Magnus finds Adira and brings her back, it could break completely." She smirked. "Selene won't be able to hold him forever."

Fenrir chuckled, a low, dangerous sound. "Perhaps we should let Magnus do the hard work for us."

One of the spies hesitated. "What if we find Adira first?"

Fenrir's gaze sharpened. "Then we'll have the advantage. And if she is what I suspect she is…" His lips curled into a smirk. "She'll be far more useful in my hands than in Lucian's."

Thalia studied him carefully. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Fenrir leaned forward, his voice smooth. "Oh, I am. Because no matter who finds Adira first… Lucian is already losing."

"Maybe I should return to the Crescent Pack," she said casually, her eyes held sharp intent.

Fenrir raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Thalia leaned forward, resting her hands on the table. "Think about it. Magnus is stirring up trouble, questioning the guards, and pushing for Adira's return. If I'm there, I can keep an eye on him—and on Lucian. Maybe even plant doubts in his mind about Selene."

Fenrir studied her for a long moment before chuckling. "Clever. You were Alpha before Lucian took your throne. They'll still respect you."

Thalia shrugged. "Some do. Some don't. But I can manipulate the ones who do." She tilted her head. "And if I play my cards right, I can figure out where Magnus is looking for Adira. Maybe even lead him into a trap."

Fenrir's smirk deepened. "You always did know how to twist the board in your favor." He stood and walked toward her, his

presence imposing. "Fine. Go back. But don't get caught—if they suspect your true allegiance, it's over."

Thalia scoffed. "Please. They still see me as Lucian's sister before they see me as a threat. That's their mistake."

Fenrir chuckled. "Then go. Play your game. And when the time comes, make sure the pieces fall in our favor."

By midday, Thalia rode into Crescent Pack territory on horseback, her posture regal, her expression unreadable. The guards at the border recognized her immediately, stepping aside without question.

As she approached the Alpha Mansion, she spotted Magnus and Rowan near the training grounds, speaking in hushed tones. She smirked. Perfect.

One of the warriors saw her first and hurried inside to inform Lucian. Moments later, the doors swung open, and Lucian stepped onto the porch. His face was unreadable, but there was a flicker of surprise in his stormy gaze.

"Thalia." His voice was guarded. "What are you doing here?"

She dismounted smoothly, brushing nonexistent dust from her sleeves. "What? No warm welcome for your dear sister?"

Lucian didn't respond. Magnus, however, stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Why now?" he asked suspiciously.

Thalia turned her gaze on him and smiled. "I heard rumors that the pack is in chaos. That our dear Alpha has taken a new mate but doesn't seem quite himself. That Magnus, of all people, is stirring trouble." She tilted her head. "So, I came to see for myself."

Lucian's jaw tensed. For a moment, his wolf stirred, sensing something familiar in Thalia's words—something that made his head ache.

Selene suddenly appeared beside him, her presence almost too conveniently timed. She smiled sweetly at Thalia, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. "Lucian doesn't need distractions right now," she said.

Thalia's smirk widened. "Oh, Selene, darling, I'm not a distraction. I'm family." She glanced at Lucian. "And family always looks out for each other."

Lucian clenched his fists. His wolf stirred again, growling low inside his mind.

Something wasn't right. "Let me out!" He pleaded weakly.

But with Selene, rubbing her hands across his arm, Lucien could think of nothing else as his eyes glazed over.

"I'll be I my chamber." He mumbled incoherently as he turned to go back. He almost lost his step, but Selene quickly held him, eyeing the guards to stay away.

Thalia and Magnus shared a look before looking away. Each with his or her own motive and reasons.