>>>>>>

Silence stretched in the room, and none of them spoke a word to each other.

Beth's eyes remained wide open in surprise that Thalia now had an idea of what was happening. Thalia wasn't that smart to fully understand its implications, but a few months back, Lyra had briefed everyone on how to identify a pureblood line. No reward was mentioned for who uncovered anyone, but it was no secret that the Northerners were very wealthy. Thalia may not grasp the significance despite the lectures, but she would whisper every word of it to Madam Estelle and Lyra.

Thalia's lips curled into a smirk that made Akira's stomach twist.

Though she didn’t say a word–at least not yet–her eyes darted from the bed to Akira’s blood-stained thighs.

This secret was never supposed to leave that room, and now someone had seen it. Not just anyone, but her number one enemy in the Northern pack.

Akira held her breath, watching Thalia. Every muscle in her body screamed to move, to perhaps say something before that smirk turned into words.

Akira's blood felt cold and hot all at once; she didn’t dare to breathe too loudly now. Thalia was the one person she couldn't afford to be sniffing around with what had happened here.

She hated her, but now she needed her. She had no choice.

Beth moved instinctively, stepping closer to Thalia. Her voice flattened, now soft. “T-Thalia… Trust me, it’s not what you think.” Her voice trembled slightly.

Silence followed–the kind of silence that told them Thalia didn’t buy their nonsense.

Akira's heartbeat doubled, loud enough for anyone next to her to hear. She kept her gaze fixed on Thalia, not trusting her silence.

Beth swallowed, glancing at Akira as if silently begging her to back her up, even if they were enemies.

It's best if they put away their differences right now. Of course, it’s for the better.

“Really. We were just–” Beth's voice faltered, searching for something believable. She knows Thalia doesn't like her either,but not as much as she hates Akira.

A small, cold smile curved at Thalia’s lips. She didn’t argue. Didn’t say one more word, She simply let the silence drag long enough before she turned and stormed outside.

Akira almost had a heart attack watching Thalia walk off; she knew what that meant–she was going straight to Madam Estelle.

Beth's heart sank deep into her stomach as she watched Thalia storm away. Her eyes narrowed at Akira's own, and without a second thought, she rushed after Thalia.

The sound of Beth's racing footsteps fading should have been a relief for Akira, but instead, it left her with dread. Beth was always scared of Thalia; she could never convince her not to speak, so going after her was useless.

Akira's knees felt weak.

“Wait–wait–wait, Thalia, wait…” Beth chased after Thalia, her fingers catching Thalia by her hair.

Thalia stopped and turned slowly, a cruel, satisfied smile already curling at her lips.

“What is it, Beth?” She raked her eyes over Beth. “Why the hell are you following me?”

“Please,” Beth’s voice cracked. Her fingers tightened on Thalia’s arm. “Please, I promise you, it's not what you think. It's not… don’t–”

“Don’t what?” Thalia tilted her head, smugness dripping from her tone. “Don’t tell Madam Estelle?” She chuckled mockingly, leaning closer. “You’ll have to kill me to silence me.”

“Fuck you and that bitch. Get the hell out of my way!”

Beth swallowed hard, trying to steady her shaky arms. “Where… where are you going right now?”

“To Madam Estelle, of course,” Thalia replied.

“No. No, no, no, no, no,” Beth pleaded, her words tumbling over each other as she panicked. She knew what would happen if Madam Estelle got wind of what had just occurred in the room. It would be a feast day in the pack since today was still the howling night.

“Please do not tell Madam Estelle or Lyra.”

“Why shouldn't I?” Thalia cruelly widened her eyes. “Why? I hate that Akira bitch, so yes, I will tell Madam Estelle once I get to the kitchen.”

“Now get the fuck out of my face before I smack you!” she threatened, and Beth stepped back, scared.

Still, Thalia shoved Beth to the side, almost pushing her over the mini tower stairs.

Akira stood still, watching Thalia walk down, her heart continuing to race. If Thalia left and got to Madam Estelle, that would be it. She'd lose her only friend. The Northerners hearing of a pureblood line? They'd go berserk.

She stood there, heart racing, then her eyes dropped down–down the height of the tower–and then darted back to Thalia, who was slowly going down the stairs.

The wind was cool, and the whole place was silent. No one was near–no maid, no guard, no warrior in sight; everyone was in the main pack house, a quarter of a mile away from the senior maids’ quarters.

Without a second thought, Beth moved. The sound of her footsteps was the only warning that she was coming, and before Thalia could turn, Beth lunged forward, slamming both of her arms into Thalia’s back with brute force, sending her off the tower.

A gasp escaped Thalia's lips as she glanced down at the spiraling drop. Once Thalia slammed to the stones, silence followed.

Beth froze, her whole body shaking, knees buckling, breath coming in jerks. She stepped closer to the edge, but her vision blurred, her stomach lurching at the sight of the long, dizzying drop.

Her fingers curled into fists, nails biting into her palms as the reality sank in. She had just killed Thalia. She swallowed hard the moment she remembered Akira and rushed back inside at once.

Once the door creaked open, Akira turned to her. “How did it go, Beth?” She rushed toward her, still nervous.

Beth ignored her, slamming the door shut and locking it. “It went well. Thalia agreed not to talk to Madam Estelle about what happened here,” she lied.

“Come on. We have to switch this bed immediately.”