Third Person’s POV:

“Alpha?”

+8 Pearls

Lucien Duskgrave snapped out of his thoughts, ncing down at the intricate peony stitched in vibrant silk across his chest, then to the unconscious girl in bhis /barms.

If her embroidery skills were truly exceptional, perhaps bshe /bcould evenplete The Blooming Grace. That way, he might surprise his grandmother again during this year’s Mooncycle Festival.

Without further hesitation, bhe /bscooped Riley into bhis /barms and ced her gently in the car. But the moment he touched her. he bsensed /bsomething was terribly wrong. Her body was btoo /bhot, her breathing shallow–clearly drugged.

“Hospital. bNow/bb,/b” he ordered.

When Riley woke up againb, /bshe 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 bhad /bdone at the banquet bwed /bdeeper into her heart.

Burning with rage, Riley pulled off the thin nket, 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 bwas /bcold.

Half an hourter, Riley arrived at the Ebonw Pack estate by taxi.

The moment she pushed open the door, she didn’t even have time to bstand /bstraight before Alpha ric’s furious roar mmed into her like ba /bstorm.

“You’ve got some nerveing back, you disgrace of a daughter!”

Before his words finished echoing, a teacup came flying toward her.

bRiley’s /beyes narrowed–she sidestepped easily.

The porcin shattered on the floor with a sharp crash.

Alpha ric 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.”

b“/bShe pushed you down at the banquet in bfront /bof the entire Stormridge nobility, got you filthy and humiliated! She did it on purpose–she’s jealous! Jealous of byou /band wants to ruin our Pack’s name!” ric’s voice cracked like thunder. “Riley, get on your knees!”

But Riley didn’t flinch.

She stood tall, eyes locked on bric’s /bwith 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 ming me?“:

Scarlett’s eyes welled with tears instantly. “I was the one who got pushed in front of everyone, and I didn’t beven /bme you. How could you lie like this?”

ric’s expression darkened. “Still lying? Scarlett bhas /balways been kind band /bobedient. 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 ric. “Riley, bjust /bsay you’re sorry. Don’t let this tear us apart.”

+8 Pearls

Kael Vale’s expression was cold. “You bwent /btoo bfar /btoday. Apologize to Scarlett.”

Riley looked around at the faces that were once familiar. Now, they felt like masks.

The fire inside bher /bexploded.

Herposure cracked, band /ball 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 bwith /bbher/b. Always her. Fine.”

She snapped.

Riley lunged toward the coffee table, grabbed the heavy crystal ashtray, band /bbefore 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!”

ric roared and leapt forward. “Stop it, you bcrazy /bbitch!”

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.

b“/bbAlpha/b! No! If you injure her, the alliance with Lucien will fall apart!”

“Move, now!” ric bellowed. He grabbed a flowerpot off the table band /braised it high, aiming for Riley’s head.

There was no love in his eyes–only the urge to crush herpletely

Every time he struck Riley, it was never discipline. It was annihtion.

bMia /bbstood /bfirm between them, refusing to let ric go further.”

Riley’s ashtray kept swinging, blood already staining Scarlett’s golden curls.

Kael rushed forward, grabbing Riley’s arm and yanking her bback/b.

“Enough! How long are byou /bgoing to keep acting like a lunaticb?/b”

But Riley’s mind bwas /bno longer hers.

She had snapped.

And the only thing holding her back now… was brevenge/b.

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