Chapter Title: Shadows of Vengeance
Edward's POV
The room was quiet except for the sharp crackle of flames from the stone hearth. The scent of healing herbs mingled with dried blood hung heavy in the air. Edward sat hunched on the edge of his bed, bruised and battered. A thick bandage wrapped around his ribs, and a dark purple bruise marred the side of his face.
His fingers twitched slightly, clenched and unclenched, as rage simmered just beneath his skin.
The door burst open.
"Edward!"
Lady Celestina swept in, her emerald gown trailing behind her like a storm cloud. Her normally composed face was twisted in shock and fury as she rushed to her son's side.
"What happened to you?" she demanded, already inspecting his injuries.
Edward didn't flinch, even though her touch grazed a tender bruise on his shoulder. "Bryant," he muttered. "Your perfect son lost control… all because of her."
Celestina stiffened. "Rosa?"
Edward let out a low, bitter chuckle. "The Luna-toy. I touched what wasn't mine, and he snapped like the wild wolf he really is."
Celestina pulled away, her jaw tightening. "He dared to attack his own brother over a woman?"
"I provoked him," Edward said, his voice low. "But that's not the point, Mother. The point is—I've found his weakness."
Celestina stood still, absorbing his words.
"He doesn't love her openly," Edward continued, "but she is his addiction. His Achilles' heel. The moment I touched her, he lost himself."
Celestina narrowed her eyes. "And what are you planning to do about it?"
Edward leaned back with a smirk that stretched his injured face. "Break him."
"You can't challenge Bryant directly," she warned. "He's still Alpha. Respected. Loved."
Edward scoffed. "Which is exactly why I'll take him down from the inside. He's already unstable—he just hides it well. All I need to do is apply pressure… right where it hurts."
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Rosa."
Celestina crossed her arms. "You're treading on dangerous ground."
"I don't care," he snapped. "Let him have his crown. Let him feel safe. And then I'll burn it all down around him."
He looked up at his mother with eyes that gleamed, not with pain, but with purpose. "Do you remember what Father always said? 'The strongest wolves are the ones no one sees coming.'"
Celestina gave a slow, grim nod. "You'll need allies. People who are ready to follow when the time comes."
"They'll come," Edward said with certainty. "When Bryant starts to fall apart, they'll come running."
He paused, then added, "And I'll make sure Rosa plays her part. Whether she wants to or not."
Celestina's eyes held a flicker of worry, but she masked it with a tight smile. "Then rest now, my son. Heal quickly. The war you've chosen will require more than anger."
Edward nodded, closing his eyes briefly. But even in the quiet, his mind raced with plans, traps, and revenge.
Because in his heart, he believed this—
Bryant had won the title. But he would not win the war.
Not if Edward had anything to say about it.