Lady Bernice’s POV
The tea had gone cold.
I noticed it only after I had lifted the cup to my lips and found no warmth left in it.
How long had I been sitting here?
I placed the cup back down gently and turned my gaze toward the window.
The courtyard below was quiet.
And a storm was coming.
Not the kind of storm that brought dark clouds and rain, but the kind that happened beneath the surface.
The kind that reshaped everything before anyone realized what had happened.
And at the center of it....was Valerie.
The girl was living my life.
Or at least, the kind of life I wish I had lived but never had the guts to reach for.
That is also why I was willing to provide my support, no matter how little.
A knock ca from the door, pulling back from my thoughts.
"Co in."
I didn’t need to look toward the door to know who it was.
Not many people dared to co to my chambers.
Many feared , while others didn’t know .
Lilith stepped in with soft steps.
"Lady Bernice."
"How is she?" I asked.
Lilith hesitated for a fraction of a second. And I knew there was trouble.
Or rather, Valerie had done sothing unconventional again.
"She is preparing for the business dinner."
"Did you get the professionals I told you about?" I asked curiously.
"No, the Luna said she didn’t need them. She can prepare alone."
As expected. Things didn’t go how others expected them to.
A faint smile touched my lips.
Lilith stepped closer.
"Should we arrange formal training for her?"
"No."
The answer ca quickly without hesitation.
That was because I knew that if it was , I wouldn’t want the hassle either.
Lilith looked surprised.
"But she has no experience in....."
"She doesn’t need it."
Lilith fell silent. I could tell she had reservations.
I turned to look at her then.
"Tell , Lilith. What do you think Valerie lacks?"
Lilith lowered her gaze slightly.
"Experience."
"Just that?"
".....and connections?"
I nodded slowly.
"Those can be built little by little."
Lilith frowned upon hearing that.
"Maybe knowledge..."
"She’s got more than enough of that."
Lilith looked up at . Her eyes filled with doubt.
I could understand why she was confused.
After all, Valerie had been nothing more than a shadow in this pack for years.
A slave.
A nobody.
Soone people stepped on without a second thought.
Even now, most still saw her that way.
But I didn’t.
Since the day I found out she was my son’s mate, I have been watching her closely.
And what I saw wasn’t weakness, but restraint.
Valerie was so restrained that even Mike probably thought she was just timid and submissive.
But there was no of that in her.
"You think I assigned you to her by accident?" I asked suddenly.
Lilith stiffened.
"No, Lady Bernice."
I turned back toward the window.
"Everything that is happening right now... is not coincidence."
Lilith remained silent.
"Valerie is changing the pack," I continued.
"She is building influence and changing things so people would kill to make them remain the sa. Her actions are dangerous."
Silence fell between us.
Then Lilith spoke carefully,
"Dangerous... to who?"
" It could be everyone. It could be Valerie. It could be just those clinging to power."
I stood up and walked slowly across the room while deliberating my thoughts.
"The n are unsettled, as they feel their control slipping away." I said.
"Yes."
"And the won are awakening."
"As for Mike...."
I paused for a mont.
"Mike is confused."
That, more than anything, was the problem. What could a confused alpha do?
"He doesn’t understand what’s happening," I continued.
"He thinks this is about authority."
Lilith frowned slightly.
"Then what is it about?"
I stopped pacing and turned back to face her.
"It’s about evolution."
Lilith gasped.
I am guessing that even if she thought about it, she never expected to bring it up.
"This pack has remained stagnant for too long," I said quietly.
"On the surface, it’s strong and feared. But it has been stagnant for so long that it could topple with a blow of the wind."
I could feel the weight of my own words. Because I had been part of that stagnation.
Part of the system that maintained it. And part of the silence that allowed it to continue.
"Since I beca Luna, I chose stability," I said softly.
"Stability over change."
Lilith didn’t respond. But I could feel her hanging onto my every word like the gospel.
"And now?" she asked carefully.
I looked toward the window again.
"Now... change has chosen us."
Even though I didn’t know why, I could tell that Valerie was special. And she was the push the pack needed to prosper.
That was the reason I was so supportive.
With her around, Mike would beco a great alpha.
A knock ca at the door.
"Enter."
Janice stepped in.
Her expression was slightly tense.
"Lady Bernice."
"What is it?"
"There are rumors spreading in the pack."
Rumors were practically part of everyday life now.
"About?"
"The Luna."
I didn’t react because there was no surprise in that.
"Continue."
"They say she forced Alpha Mike to take her to the business dinner."
Lilith glanced at briefly. As if expecting to explode. But I remained calm.
"And?"
"So of the warriors are unhappy."
That was expected. These people were too happy with the status quo.
"Others are curious."
"Let them be." I replied with a smile.
Janice hesitated for a mont before speaking again.
"There is more."
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Speak."
"She is gathering information."
I felt Lilith stiffen beside .
But I didn’t look at her. I gave her to Valerie to use for such matters. So, I wouldn’t punish her for doing her job.
But now I was curious about the information she was collecting that made her react like that.
"What kind of information?"
"About the won in the pack. Those who married into it."
I had suspected that she was up to sothing, but couldn’t guess what. Now, I knew.
"Should we stop her?"
"No."
I didn’t even stop to think before replying.
Janice looked surprised.
"But...."
"I said no."
She lowered her head quickly.
"Yes, Lady Bernice."
I waved my hand at her.
"You may leave now."
Janice left without another word.
The room fell silent again.
Lilith finally spoke.
"Lady Bernice... is it wise to let her continue?"
I turned to look at her.
"Do you think she can be stopped?"
Lilith hesitated.
"...No."
"Exactly."
I walked back to my seat slowly.
"Valerie is not acting blindly."
I picked up my teacup again.
Still cold.
But I drank it anyway.
"Tell , Lilith," I said quietly.
"If a person has already lost everything... what do they fear?"
Lilith thought for a mont.
"...Nothing."
I nodded.
"And that makes them unstoppable."
Silence settled heavily in the room.
Then Lilith asked
"Do you trust her?"
I didn’t answer imdiately.
Instead, I looked out the window once more.
At the quiet courtyard.
At the calm before the storm.
"No," I said finally.
"I don’t trust her."
Lilith’s expression tightened slightly.
"But...."
I continued before she could speak.
"I believe in her."
There was a difference.
A very important difference.
Trust could be broken.
Belief
Was sothing else entirely.
"Prepare for dinner," I said.
Lilith straightened imdiately.
"Yes, Lady Bernice."
"And Lilith..."
She paused at the door.
"Yes?"
"Stay close to her."
Lilith hesitated.
"...To protect her?"
I smiled faintly.
"Or to learn from her."
Lilith didn’t respond.
But I saw the understanding in her eyes.
Then she left.
I leaned back in my chair slowly and allowed myself to wonder.
When the storm finally arrived...
Would Valerie stand at its center..... or beco the storm itself?
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