Chapter 33
Riley’s POV
+8 Pearls
I stared at the ceiling, numb and hollow. The sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the hospital room, and the cold IV fluid. snaked into my arm. My entire body ached, but the pain barely registered–just another echo beneath everything else.
Theo’s voice came from the side of the bed, low and clinical. “You’re awake.”
I didn’t answer.
A soft rustle of paper, the sound of a stool being dragged closer.
“You don’t have to act like this,” he said. “You scared a lot of people last night.”
Still, I stayed quiet,
Theo let out a breath, his tone shifting. “How do you feel?”
“How do I look?” I asked flatly, turning my head toward him.
He flinched. “Like hell”
I didn’t laugh. I didn’t even smile. I let the silence stretch until he broke it again.
“Your injuries weren’t life–threatening. The finger was reattached. You’ll need some time to heal… but physically, you’ll
recover.
Physically.
He didn’t mention the emotional damage
. Or the kind of wound that wasn’t visible under a hospital gown.
He hesitated, then said, “When I was treating your back, I noticed an old scar. About the length of a hand. Lower left side. Riley you’re missing a kidney.”
I didn’t react
He continued, slower this time. That scar–it’s been there for at least a year. Probably longer. I don’t know what happened in that prison, but it wasn’t just bruises and cold floors, was it?”
I turned away from him.
Theo pressed, “Do you even know when it happened?”
“Does it matter?”
“You should’ve told someone-
I cut him off. “You think they didn’t know?”
He went still.
I looked at him, my voice steady despite the tightness in my throat. “The reason I couldn’t shift all these years… it wasn’t because I was weak or broken. It was because they took a part of me. A piece of my body. And maybe… a piece of my wolf.”
He swallowed hard, clearly shaken.
“You stood there and asked why I didn’t dodge the belt,” I whispered. “Theo, I couldn’t even run.”
He looked away, ashamed. But then–like always–he couldn’t leave it alone.
“You’re not exactly easy to help,” he muttered.
I laughed, dry and bitter. “And you’re not exactly helpful.”
His jaw clenched. “You’re always the victim, huh?”
I stared at him. “Get out.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Out.”
His mouth twisted into a sneer. “You know what? Maybe everything that’s happened to you–maybe it fits.
I closed my eyes.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Author’s POV
Back at the Ebonclaw estate, the morning sun filtered through the tall windows, illuminating the spacious kitchen in golden. light
Mia was carefully packing wolfbone congee and a few other tonic dishes into insulated containers. She had been up since dawn preparing food that would nourish Riley’s body–what little was left of it, anyway.
Just as she reached for the silver lotus and bloodroot soup, a delicate hand shot out and grabbed the bowl.
Mia looked up and froze. Scarlett.
Scarlett raised the bowl and smirked. “This looks nice. I’ll take it.”
Mia quickly stepped forward. “Miss Scarlett, that’s for Miss Riley. She’s still recovering.”
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “And who are you to tell me what I can or can’t eat in my own house?”
Mia hesitated. She knew better than to challenge her openly. But she had
to try.
“Miss Riley needs it more. The doctor said her internal balance is still unstable-”
“Oh, because the broken little bird needs special treatment now?” Scarlett snorted. “Please. She’s not even a proper Ebonclaw. She didn’t shift until yesterday. If that.”
Mia flinched.
“You think just because the Alpha let her stay here that she’s earned anything? My father still says she’s an embarrassment.”
“She’s still his daughter,” Mia murmured.
“Barely.” Scarlett sneered. “And don’t forget, I’m the one he chose to inherit the northern estates.”
Before Mia could respond, heavy footsteps echoed down the hall.
Alaric and Zara entered.
“What’s this noise?” Alaric’s voice was sharp as a whip crack.
Scarlett immediately switched gears, voice trembling, eyes shining with unshed tears. “Father, Mia said I wasn’t worthy of eating the family food because I’m adopted.”
Mia’s jaw dropped–1 never said—”
Zara’s face twisted with disgust. “Is that true, Mia?”
I swear–1 just said Miss Riley needed it for recovery-
Alaric slammed a hand on the counter. “You dare question who’s worthy in this household? Scarlett is my daughter in all the ways that matter Riley? That little criminal should be grateful she hasn’t been cast out like the stray she is.”
He snatched the bowl from Mia’s hands and shoved it into Scarlett’s.
And with that, she sauntered off.
Mia stood frozen in place, trembling.