Riley's POV My claws were inches from tearing into his throat. The bastard lay slumped against the corridor wall, dazed from the impact. Blood trickled down his temple, mixing with dirt and ceramic shards. I didn't even remember grabbing the potted plant, but the crash of it shattering against his skull still rang in my ears like thunder. He groaned, trying to get up. I stalked closer, my hackles raised, breath hot and heavy. He dared lay a hand on Mia. He dared raise a cane at the old woman who had shielded me-someone I didn't even know. He dared call me nothing. I wasn't nothing. I was the damn white wolf of the Ebonclaw Pack, and for once in my life-I wasn't going to run. A snarl built in my chest, low and deadly. My muscles coiled. I was ready to end this. "Riley, stop!" Mia's voice cut through the haze like a whip. I froze. "Put your claws down," she choked out, clutching her bruised cheek, eyes wide with panic. "You know the law. No bloodshed among Pack unless ordered by Council. You show those claws now-and they'll lock you up again. For good this time." Her words hit harder than the blow to my back. The Rogue Tribunal. The isolation cells. Cold steel chains digging into my wrists. No. Not again. My snarl died in my throat. I forced the shift back, bones creaking, limbs trembling as fur receded. My vision blurred, but I stayed upright. My breath came in ragged gulps. I was shaking.Mia reached out, steadying me with both hands, then out on my clothes. "It's over. Let's go." Still dazed, I turned and pushed open the hospital room door-just in time to walk into a nightmare. The air inside was thick with panic. I saw her-Scarlett-claws digging into another girl's throat. Her name hit me a second later. Tessa. Her lips were blue, her eyes glassy. Her hands scratched helplessly at Scarlett's wrists, trying to breathe. A switch flipped inside me. I charged forward with a scream, grabbing Scarlett by the hair and yanking her back with every ounce of fury I had left. "Let go of her, you psycho!" Scarlett shrieked, her grip finally loosening. We both stumbled back, crashing into each other, clawing, kicking. Gone was her usual trembling and sweet act-what surfaced now was feral, vicious, real. Her nails raked down my arm, slicing skin open like ribbons. "Crazy b*tch!" she screamed, scratching, kicking, flailing. "Keep going," I snarled, "and I swear, I'll show you what a real Luna looks like." Mia and Mrs. Beck lunged in, each grabbing one of Scarlett's arms and holding her down as she thrashed and howled like a cornered animal. I dropped to my knees beside Tessa. She wasn't moving. Her face had gone ashen. No breath. No heartbeat I could feel. No... No. "Tessa?" My voice cracked as I shook her. "Tessa-wake up!" Nothing. "Tessa!" I screamed, hands flying to her face, then her chest. "Breathe! Please-breathe!"My whole world cracked open. The only person who could prove my innocence... was slipping away before my eyes. "Mia!" I turned, sobbing. "Call the doctors! Get help! Now!" Mia let go of Scarlett instantly, bolting for the door- But the doorway was already blocked. Three men. Towering. Dangerous. And one of them, leading the charge, looked like he was carved from rage itself. Dark brows drawn tight. Eyes like knives. His voice hit me like a slap. "Riley Vale, what the hell are you doing to Tessa?!" I blinked up, stunned by the venom in his tone. Ronan Duskcliff. His fury slammed into the room like a shockwave. Behind him were guards-armed, tense. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. The sob stuck in my throat turned into a whimper. He didn't wait for an explanation. He stormed forward, grabbed me by the arm, and ripped me away from Tessa's body. I stumbled backward- Straight into another chest. Hard. Familiar. Burning hot. My breath caught. I looked up. And met Maddox's eyes. Cold. Piercing. Nothing like the ones that used to gaze at me with gentle curiosity.His hands tightened on my shoulders-not with comfort, but judgment. Pain bloomed across my chest deeper than any wound. The look in his eyes wasn't anger. It was disappointment. "Riley..." His voice was low, full of thunder. "What happened to you?" I could barely hear myself. "I didn't-It wasn't me. She-Scarlett-she was-" "Is this really who you are now?" Maddox's voice cracked. "Where's the girl I knew? The girl who once believed in justice? In kindness? Bring her back to me, please..." I looked at him through the veil of my tears, my skin still stinging from Scarlett's claws.