Chapter 10 One Last Time
Charles whipped me ten times before the guard carelessly tossed me out the door, like a broken toy.
+8 Pearls
I lay there on the cold ground for what seemed like forever, the blood on my body having dried and formed into crusts. Only when I finally regained enough strength did I manage to struggle to my feet.
Stumbling, I made my way downstairs, barely able to stay upright, to tend to the wounds that marked my body.
The next few days passed as I slowly recovered in the hospital.
During this time, Evelyn couldn’t resist sending me a few taunting messages. Each one included pictures–Lucas cooking for her, his face warm with affection; Alexander, despite his own illness, sacrificing his comfort to take her shopping; and Charles and Elizabeth, drafting a will that promised half of the pack’s wealth to her in a bid to case her mind.
As I looked at those photos, I should’ve felt something, but after all the hurt they’d caused me before, there was only emptiness.
I knew that once the test results were out, they’d regret every single thing.
But by then, I’d be far away from them, leaving them behind for good.
Once I was discharged from the hospital, I decided to visit Margaret at the nursing home.
When she saw me, a warm smile spread across her face. “Aly, what are you doing here by yourself? Didn’t Lucas come with you?”
I wasn’t sure how to respond, my gaze momentarily flickering away. Not wanting to trouble her, I quickly changed the subject. I just missed you, so I thought I’d come visit.”
She took my hand in hers, asking about how I had been, showing concern for me.
Her words wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, though a bitter edge tinged my heart.
We talked for a while until she dozed off, tired from herage.
After tucking her in, I carefully took out the wolf fang necklace that represented the Obsidian Pack and placed it gently on the table.
This necklace had been given to me by my grandmother when I first arrived at the pack. She had put it around my neck herself, marking her approval and blessing me as Luna.
But now, I no longer had any use for it.
I cast one last glance at Margaret’s peaceful face before leaving her room.
As I opened the door, I walked straight into Lucas.
His eyes gleamed with mockery when he saw me. “What are you doing here? Planning to report me again?*
“Im not doing anything.” I replied, trying to stay calm. “I just came to see Margaret one last time.”
“One last time? What do you mean? Don’t think you can fool me.”
He wasn’t blind, and I knew he had seen the wolf fang necklace I left by her bedside.
“Why would you leave something so valuable here?” he asked, his tone laced with contempt.
pressed my lips together, meeting his gaze coldly. “As you wish, it’s going back where it belongs.”
For a brief moment, confusion flickered across Lucas’s face.
He opened his mouth, and I could already tell he was about to make a biting remark.
Chapter 10 One Last Time
+8 Pearls
‘s Luna, and you took it. You took the title
“Is this some kind of joke? This necklace was meant to belong to the Obsidian Pack’s L of Luna for yourself.”
I knew explaining myself was pointless, so I said nothing. Instead, I simply turned and walked away.
On my way home, I made up my mind. I would leave this continent for good and head north to the cold, isolated Winterville.
When I got back, I found Evelyn lounging on the couch, looking at me with a mocking smile.
“Alicia, didn’t you promise Victoria you’d leave? Why are you still hanging around here? How shameless can you be?”
Her words carried an undercurrent of meaning, and I narrowed my eyes, becoming wary. “How do you know about that?”
Evelyn sneered, pulling out the agreement and speaking with scorn. “Of course, Victoria told me. You took her money and promised you’d leave, but you’re still here. You’re still trying to seduce Lucas, trying to get both the money and him. You’re nothing but a greedy little bitch!
“She told me she’ll spend whatever it takes to get rid of you. In her eyes, you’re a cursed wolf, and I’m the true Luna. I’m the jone who belongs with Lucas. She’ll never let you, the one cursed by Loki, become the Luna of the Obsidian Pack. She won’t let you ruin Lucas’s life.”
