Author’s POV

Back at the Vale estate, Scarlett’s excitement only grew the longer ric spoke.

+8 Pearls

Sheughed coldly. “If bthat’s /bthe case, then perfect. With Riley’s crippled body, I doubt she’dst a day under that Stormridge Alpha’s hands. She’ll die before I even lift a finger.”

Scarlett leaned in close to ric, her eyes gleaming with malice. “When are you nning to act, Father? Just don’t let Kael find out. He’spletely on Riley’s side now. If he knew, he’d raise hell.”

ric scoffed. “I’ll handle it. You keep ying innocent. Don’t slip up.”

Scarlett nodded eagerly. “I’m just waiting to watch that little bitch scream for mercy when Northhaven’s Alpha gets his hands on her.”

At the hospital, Riley sat upright in bed, staring nkly out the window. Her body was still aching, wrapped in gauze band /bshadows of exhaustion.

The door opened. Zara walked in with Mia close behind, carrying a thermos of hot food.

Riley slowly turned her head. Her eyesnded on Zara–and chilled over.

Zara approached cautiously and sat beside her, her tone soft. “Sweetheart, you must be hungry. I brought-

“You’re bnot /bmy mother,” Riley said tly.

Zara’s breath caught. The air seemed to still between them.

“Whether you ept it or not, I am your mother. bThat /bwon’t change.”

“It already bhas/b,” Riley replied, her voice cold as the frost “Birth without care is no bond at all. I gave you back what I owed. bThat /bwas the end.”

Zara’s eyes welled with tears. “You really hate me that much? What do I have to do, Riley? Tell me. What bwill /bmake forgive bme/bb!/b”

Riley didn’t answer.

Not because she bdidn’t /bhave one–but because there was nothing left to say..

Zara tried topose herself. “Just eat something, okay? We can talk after-

“Leave.”

The word cracked like ba /bwhip.

Zara flinched. “Riley, bplease/b…

Riley didn’t raise her voice. bShe /bdidn’t bhave /bto..

“Looking at you kills my appetite.”

you

Zara stumbled to her feet like she’d been struck. Her hand flew to her mouth to muttle the sob threatening to break free. She rushed out the door.

Outside, she copsed against the wall, trembling, holding back her tears with a force that made her shoulders shake. She wept silentlyb, /bbashamed /bto let the bnurses /bsee her fall apart.

Minutes passed. When she looked back into the room through the ss bpane/b, her heart twisted.

bMia /bsat by Riley’s side, bfeeding /bher gently with a spoon. Riley–cold, silent Riley–was bsmiling/b,

A real bsmile/b..

Her eyes glowed softly. Her lips moved in conversation. She wasughing. With Mia.

Zara’s heart clenched.

She had never seen that smile directed at herself. Not once.

Not even as a child.

It was Mia who received her daughter’s warmth.

A truth settled over her blike /bash: Riley didn’t want her. Might never forgive her. Might never even try.

She waited buntil /bbMia /bstepped out.

Mia jumped slightly, startled to see Zara still bthere/b. “Luna Zara, I thought you’d already gone.”

“Go on ahead,” Zara said curtly. “I’ll stay.”

Mia hesitated. “Luna, Riley is very tired. Maybe it’s better if-”

Zara’s expression darkened. “Are you telling me when I can see my own daughter?”

Mia lowered her gaze. “Of course not. I’ll wait downstairs.”

bZara /bdidn’t wait. She pushed the door open.

Riley didn’t react.

But this time, she didn’t send her away either.

She turned her face toward the window again, as if preparing for a storm.

And deep inside, her wolf stirred again–quiet, alert, ready.

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