Chapter 57
“Alpha?”
+8 Pearls
Lucien Duskgrave snapped out of his thoughts, glancing down at the intricate peony stitched in vibrant silk across his chest, then to the unconscious girl in his arms.
If her embroidery skills were truly exceptional, perhaps she could even complete The Blooming Grace. That way, he might surprise his grandmother again during this year’s Mooncycle Festival.
Without further hesitation, he scooped Riley into his arms and placed her gently in the car. But the moment he touched her. he sensed something was terribly wrong. Her body was too hot, her breathing shallow–clearly drugged.
“Hospital. Now,” he ordered.
When Riley woke up again, she was in a sterile, white hospital room.
The unbearable heat that had consumed her was gone. Her mind was clear. Too clear.
She sat up slowly, and with each second, the memory of Scarlett’s poisonous smile and what she had done at the banquet clawed deeper into her heart.
Burning with rage, Riley pulled off the thin blanket, got out of bed, and left the hospital.
When Duke returned with hospital documents and a few daily necessities, the room was empty. The bed was cold.
Half an hour later, Riley arrived at the Ebonclaw Pack estate by taxi.
The moment she pushed open the door, she didn’t even have time to stand straight before Alpha Alaric’s furious roar slammed into her like a storm.
“You’ve got some nerve coming back, you disgrace of a daughter!”
Before his words finished echoing, a teacup came flying toward her.
Riley’s eyes narrowed–she sidestepped easily.
The porcelain shattered on the floor with a sharp crash.
Alpha Alaric stormed toward her, veins bulging. “How dare you dodge?! I’ll beat some manners into you, you ungrateful
wretch!”
Scarlett stepped in, all feigned sweetness and concern. “Dad, calm down. I’m sure Riley didn’t mean it.”
“She pushed you down at the banquet in front of the entire Stormridge nobility, got you filthy and humiliated! She did it on purpose–she’s jealous! Jealous of you and wants to ruin our Pack’s name!” Alaric’s voice cracked like thunder. “Riley, get on your knees!”
But Riley didn’t flinch.
She stood tall, eyes locked on Alaric’s with an icy defiance.
“Why should I kneel? Scarlett drugged me–she wanted to ruin me in front of everyone. And instead of questioning her, you’re blaming me?“:
Scarlett’s eyes welled with tears instantly. “I was the one who got pushed in front of everyone, and I didn’t even
blame you. How could you lie like this?”
Alaric’s expression darkened. “Still lying? Scarlett has always been kind and obedient. She would never stoop to such filth. If you don’t apologize right now, I’ll teach you what it means to be part of this Pack!”
Zara hesitated, eyes flickering, but in the end she sided with Alaric. “Riley, just say you’re sorry. Don’t let this tear us apart.”
+8 Pearls
Kael Vale’s expression was cold. “You went too far today. Apologize to Scarlett.”
Riley looked around at the faces that were once familiar. Now, they felt like masks.
The fire inside her exploded.
Her composure cracked, and all the grief, betrayal, and rage she’d buried for years surged out of her like a tidal wave.
Her eyes turned bloodshot. Her wolf pulsed beneath her skin.
You all side with her. Always her. Fine.”
She snapped.
Riley lunged toward the coffee table, grabbed the heavy crystal ashtray, and before anyone could react, she had tackled. Scarlett to the floor.
Then she struck.
“AHH- Scarlett screamed, her face twisted in horror.
The ashtray crashed down again and again, Riley’s face twisted with fury.
“Die. All of you–just die!”
Alaric roared and leapt forward. “Stop it, you crazy bitch!”
He raised his hand to strike her–no hesitation, no hesitation at all.
But Mia, the housekeeper, rushed over and threw herself in front of Riley.
“Alpha! No! If you injure her, the alliance with Lucien will fall apart!”
“Move, now!” Alaric bellowed. He grabbed a flowerpot off the table and raised it high, aiming for Riley’s head.
There was no love in his eyes–only the urge to crush her completely
Every time he struck Riley, it was never discipline. It was annihilation.
Mia stood firm between them, refusing to let Alaric go further.”
Riley’s ashtray kept swinging, blood already staining Scarlett’s golden curls.
Kael rushed forward, grabbing Riley’s arm and yanking her back.
“Enough! How long are you going to keep acting like a lunatic?”
But Riley’s mind was no longer hers.
She had snapped.
And the only thing holding her back now… was revenge.