"Oh, please. Your words are untrue. Though I must admit, your version is far more dramatic. You should write a book, Lydia—call it Delusions of a Dying Luna. I’d read it. Maybe."
"Maeve." Ivan’s tone was a sharp warning.
"YOU WERE TRYING TO KILL ME, BITCH!" The Luna screeched. "That is why you drew that dagger!"
Every head in the room was turned to me, waiting—hungry—to see how I’d respond. I thought fast, my brain moving a mile a minute.
Lydia was doing a fine job acting insane. Maybe it was time I leaned into that narrative and handed the crowd a conclusion, not just suspicion.
So I did the one thing that always worked when logic wouldn’t: I burst into tears.
The tears came hot and fast, so sudden that even Ivan looked startled.
"I’m sorry," I choked out between sobs, really leaning into the pity. "I didn’t want to have to say this in public, but you leave me no choice, Lydia."
"What are you going on about, you skank?" she snapped, the only one not fazed by my crying.
I took a deep breath, steadying my voice as I prepared to lie like my life depended on it. And in a way, it did.
"I didn’t want to do this, but I’m afraid I have to." I lifted my head, letting my gaze sweep across the room. "Members of Ash Creek, it appears the Luna’s condition is far worse than we originally believed."
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Ivan asked, his eyes narrowing, uncertainty flickering across his face.
I sniffled loudly, wiping snot from my nose.
"I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, Ivan. I conducted a more in-depth diagnosis this morning. And I discovered... the Alpha Queen is currently in the final stage of the pitting disease."
"The final stage?" Ivan inhaled sharply, though his eyes stayed narrowed. "I wasn’t expecting that."
"I’m sorry, but it’s true. It’s the major cause of her current psychotic meltdowns."
"Psychotic," Lydia echoed with a guttural snarl. If she could have ripped me apart right then and there, I knew she would’ve tried.
I lowered my head, willing myself to look utterly devastated. I needed to sell this—every word of it.
Karma really was a bitch. Who would’ve thought I’d ever have the chance to dismantle Lydia’s pristine reputation in front of the whole pack?
"You know what?" I said softly, twisting the knife with a little more flair. "I didn’t want to say this, but seeing as everything has spiraled out of control... I guess I have no choice but to speak the truth."
"What... truth?" Ivan already looked like he regretted asking.
"Luna Lydia was the one who cut her hair off."
Gasps exploded across the room.
I gestured toward Lydia’s gleaming bald head as my sobs finally softened into small, broken hiccups.
"You lying bitch! How can you stand here and lie in front of my son? I should have you locked up in the dungeons. That should teach you a thing or two."
I didn’t flinch. Instead, I shook my head slowly and turned to Ivan, my tone slipping into something grave.
"I realize it was wrong of me to keep such an important piece of information from you. And while it’s true that I don’t care much for any of you..."—I paused, letting that truth settle—"...somehow, I found myself wanting to protect the Luna’s reputation."
"From what?" Ivan asked, his voice lower now, strained as though he were holding his breath.
I clenched my fists tightly, forcing my lips not to curl. Then, with the same calm used to deliver a death sentence, I announced:
"Due to the pitting, I’m afraid the Luna has finally lost her sanity."