CHAPTER 452: COHORTS

The air inside the healer’s hut was thick with the scent of crushed herbs and old magic. Flickering candlelight danced across the wooden walls, casting soft shadows as Nanny Nia stood over the altar, her fingers tracing the lines of an ancient symbol etched into the wood. Fiona sat nearby, clutching a steaming mug between her palms, her face drawn and tense.

"She’s not safe," Nanny Nia murmured, more to herself than to Fiona. "Not out there. Not with Xaden missing and that wretched Alpha Hunter involved."

Fiona leaned forward. "We have to do something. We can’t just sit here hoping Erik finds her in time."

Nia turned sharply. "I’m not sitting. I’m thinking. There’s more at play than just Jasmine being gone. The energy in the air, the way Anna and her friends were celebrating—as if they knew something."

Fiona nodded grimly. "They’re up to something. Lisa and Lily have been sneaking around, whispering at odd hours. I wouldn’t be surprised if they knew more about what happened to Rudy than they let on."

Nia’s lips tightened. "Then we need to act before they get another chance. Jasmine’s already risked everything to go after Xaden. We must ensure there’s a pack for her to return to."

Fiona stood. "What’s your plan?"

The old woman turned to her, eyes burning with quiet fire. "Expose them. Not just Anna, but all of them. Whatever they’re hiding, we bring it into the light. Anna thinks she’s clever, but she’s reckless. If we press the right places, she’ll unravel."

Fiona stepped closer, her voice low. "I can do it. Get close. Pretend to forgive her. She already let her guard down once."

Nia gave her a sharp look. "You sure about that?"

"I can stomach it if it means protecting Jasmine. She’s my sister in every way that matters."

Nia’s expression softened. "Good. Then we’ll start tonight."

That evening, the pack house buzzed with quiet tension. With Erik gone, the energy had shifted. Damian, now acting Alpha, kept a watchful eye, but whispers flowed like poison through the halls.

Fiona reentered the courtyard where Anna was once again lounging, her glass refilled and her smirk returned. Lisa sat beside her, quieter than usual, while Lily kept glancing over her shoulder.

"Anna," Fiona called smoothly, catching the girl mid-sip.

Anna stiffened, clearly unsure of Fiona’s intentions. "Come to gloat?"

Fiona shook her head, wearing a carefully constructed mask of peace. "No. I came to talk."

Anna narrowed her eyes. "About what? How Erik’s madly in love with you?"

Fiona ignored the jab and stepped closer. "Look. We’ve both said things we regret. I don’t want bad blood between us—especially not now. The pack needs unity."

Lisa and Lily exchanged surprised glances. Anna didn’t respond, her face hard to read.

Fiona pressed on. "We’re stronger together. And honestly, I could use your help."

Anna blinked. "My help?"

"I want to make sure Jasmine doesn’t return and cause more problems. You and I... we both know she’s a threat to the pack."

Nia had taught her well. Learn their language. Feed their delusions.

Anna’s mouth curved. "Now you’re talking sense."

Back in the healer’s den, Nia watched the moon rise through the open shutters. Beside her, she’d arranged several talismans—each one representing a piece of the pack’s spiritual strength.

She whispered a blessing over them, fingers dancing with precision.

"Let the truth surface," she said to the stars, "let the Goddess reveal what shadows hide."

By morning, Fiona had what she needed.

Anna had spoken freely over more wine—careless, overconfident.

"She’s not coming back," she had laughed, swirling her glass. "Even if she does, it won’t matter. Not after what we’ve done."

Fiona had kept her face neutral, heart pounding.

She returned to Nia with a whisper of triumph. "They did something. I don’t know what yet. But it’s serious."

Nia didn’t smile. She only nodded. "Then it’s time to watch them closer."

The next step came in whispers. Nanny Nia called on old allies—those in the pack loyal to truth and balance. Quietly, she asked them to report on Anna’s comings and goings. To watch the kitchens, the stables, the woods. To listen.

Then came the harder part.

Confronting Uther.

Nanny Nia found him in the training yard, overseeing drills. The sun caught his graying hair and the shine of his sword hilt. He looked every bit the warrior he once was—but there was rot beneath that surface, and Nia could smell it.

"Uther," she said, her tone polite but firm.

He turned, eyes narrowing slightly. "Nia. What is it?"

"I need a word."

He nodded, dismissing the warriors and following her to the shadow of the sparring pavilion.

She didn’t waste time. "You’ve been whispering with strangers in the woods. You’ve been meeting with people Erik doesn’t know."

Uther’s expression didn’t change. "I don’t answer to you, Nanny."

"No," she agreed. "But you will answer to the Goddess. If your hands are dirty in whatever coup is coming, She will not be kind."

His jaw twitched. "You’re meddling in things you don’t understand."

"I understand treason," she snapped. "And I understand fear. Jasmine’s gone, Xaden’s missing, and you—who should be helping—are plotting."

His silence was answer enough.

"I suggest you tread lightly, Uther," she finished. "Because when Jasmine returns, and she will, she’ll bring fire with her."

That night, Fiona crept into the eastern wing of the pack house. Lisa had gone into the storage room earlier, and hadn’t come out for some time. Fiona waited until the hallway was quiet before slipping through the door.

Inside, the room smelled of dust and dried roots. But something else, too—something metallic.

She moved toward a large trunk and opened it.

Inside was a bundle wrapped in cloth. When she peeled it back, she saw bloodstained leather—clothing. Not Jasmine’s. Not Erik’s. Someone else’s.

She recognized it.

It was Rudy’s.

Heart hammering, she stepped back.

They’d hidden the evidence. Why?

Fiona didn’t stop to ask. She rewrapped the bundle and carried it straight to Nia.

By dawn, they had the beginnings of a case. Rudy’s death wasn’t a suicide. It was a cover-up.

And now they had a link to Anna’s circle.

Nia placed the bundle on her altar and whispered an oath.

"The Goddess sees you, child. May Her light guide us to justice."

Fiona stood beside her, eyes blazing.

"We’re not stopping."

"No," Nia said, voice fierce. "We’re just beginning."