CHAPTER 86: LET’S BE SISTERS, VICTORIA.

Meanwhile, in Mirabel’s room...

Different servants were going in and out, their arms filled with napkins and bowls of warm water. The scent of herbs saturated the air, mingling with the loud wails of pain and heartbreak that echoed from within.

Mirabel lay on the bed, her bare buttocks exposed to allow treatment, her body trembling as she cried out. Her face was buried in the pillow, and the only comfort she had was the warm grasp of her mother, who sat beside her, weeping profusely as she held onto her daughter’s hand.

A female doctor sat on a low stool near the bed, focused on gently applying thick green herbs to the wounded flesh. Her fingers moved with care, though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her fear.

"She’s healing slowly... but she’s still beautiful. Very beautiful, Mrs. Ashford," the doctor finally spoke, her voice soft and measured as she rubbed the herbal mixture over the bruised skin. "The sticks used on her were coated in a special herb....one that slows down a werewolf’s natural healing process. It was done on purpose. The pain will last longer, and the wounds will remain fresh for a few days. But I’ll do everything I can to speed up her recovery."

She paused, shifting her focus to Mirabel’s legs.

"As for her feet... they will heal soon. Two nights, at most."

"I want everything healed now!" Mirabel suddenly screamed, lurching forward and grabbing the doctor by the hem of her gown. Her voice was shrill and broken. "I need to teach that wrecked girl a lesson she will never forget!"

The doctor flinched, blinking rapidly. "You will heal, Miss Mirabel, I promise. But please... you must try to calm your emotions. Your anger is intensifying the pain and slowing down your recovery. If your heart rate keeps spiking like this, it’ll worsen the wounds...."

"Stop saying rubbish, you bitch!" Mrs. Ashford screamed, grabbing the other side of the doctor’s gown and yanking her forward violently. Her tear-streaked face twisted with fury. "Just make sure my daughter heals! If not, I swear on the Moon Goddess, I’ll make sure you disappear from this pack. You and your pathetic family! Do you understand me?"

The doctor swallowed hard, her hands trembling as fear contorted her features. "Y..yes, ma’am. I understand... I’ll go and prepare more potent herbs and painkillers. I just need a few minutes."

As soon as the women let her go, the doctor scrambled to her feet and fled the room, nearly stumbling over a servant by the door as she ran.

"Mother!" Mirabel broke down again, sobbing as she collapsed into her mother’s arms, squeezing her hand tightly. Her tears flowed freely, her pain no longer just physical. "My brothers are bewitched! They’ve all turned against me... because of Victoria. My heart hurts so much. They chose her over me. Me!"

"I understand, Mirabel... I feel the same." Mrs. Ashford’s voice cracked with sorrow, her eyes glistening with renewed tears. "I’m angry, hurt... confused. Your brothers....our boys....they betrayed our blood. Yes, the punishment they gave you was harsh, but your father... your father might have done worse. He could have banished you from the mansion entirely. Even so, it wasn’t their place to carry out such a disgraceful punishment. And especially not over that stupid girl."

"Victoria has to be punished, Mother!" Mirabel cried, her chest heaving as fresh sobs overtook her. "I’m in this mess because of her. The pain, the shame, the betrayal....all because of that bitch! I don’t understand. I sent those men... I know I did! I checked afterward. I found traces that they carried out my instructions. So how the hell does she still have the Virginity Mark?!"

Mrs. Ashford gasped, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "Exactly! How is it possible? What in the world did that girl do? She’s playing us... she pretends to be naive, but she’s cunning. Cunning and clever. We underestimated her, Mirabel."

"I swear she’ll regret this, Mother," Mirabel declared through clenched teeth, her voice seething with venom. "I don’t need to pretend to care about her anymore. That mask? I’m throwing it away. From now on, it’s war between me and her. I’ll make her regret ever stepping foot into this mansion... into the academy... into this world."

"Exactly!" Mrs. Ashford chimed in, her voice sharp and cold. "The mask I’ve been wearing slipped too, but now I’ll put it back on....only tighter. Victoria may no longer trust me, but I no longer care. I’ll make sure she’s punished. Thoroughly."

She rose from the bed and began pacing the room, her long robe trailing behind her as her heels clicked furiously against the marble floor.

"Thank the goddess your father left for that business trip to the other pack. And Damien? Though he’s acting as temporary head of the family, he still can’t defeat me. He’s my son anyways hence I know how to control him."

She turned sharply and looked at her daughter, a wicked smile spreading on her face.

"But we’ll be patient," she added with a glint in her eyes. "We’ll wait for the second full moon ceremony. That’s when everything changes. That’s when your mate will be revealed....or maybe not. Either way, Victoria’s story ends that night. She’ll be gone from our lives forever."

Mirabel’s eyes darkened with determination. "Even if the Alphas aren’t my mates, I’ll make them mine regardless. Whether they like it or not, I’ll marry them. All of them. I’ll make them belong to me."

Mrs. Ashford nodded approvingly, her expression one of twisted pride.

****

Meanwhile...

In a grand hall adorned with exquisite silks, shimmering chandeliers, and elaborate designs carved into the walls, Victoria sat around a large table with Theo, Callum, Darius, Lucian, and Anna. The atmosphere buzzed with light conversation and quiet movement.

Servants dressed in crisp matching uniforms moved gracefully around the hall, refilling glasses and adjusting cutlery. The rich scent of food wafted through the air from the nearby kitchen, particularly from the open window where steam rose and pots clanged softly.

Inside the kitchen, Damien could be seen overseeing the cooking, sleeves rolled up, his movements precise and commanding as servants scurried to assist him.

"I’m about to die from hunger," Callum finally complained, dramatically clutching his stomach. He swallowed hard, eyes fixed longingly on the kitchen window. "Seriously, what’s taking him so long?"

"Are we really spending the night here again, sister?" Darius asked, his tone laced with irritation as he turned toward Anna. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Anna rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair, completely unfazed. "Then leave, Darius. If you don’t want to stay, no one’s forcing you. I want to be here, so stop acting like a child."

"It’s madness," Darius muttered under his breath, scoffing. "It was supposed to be one night, Anna. One! Now it’s two, and next thing I know it’ll be three or four. What is all this nonsense?"

Anna ignored him. Instead, her eyes shifted to Victoria, who sat quietly at the far end of the table. Her arms were folded over her chest, and her gaze was locked on the kitchen window but her mind was far away.

Suddenly, a voice echoed softly in her ears....a voice only she could hear.

"I just passed Mirabel’s room," said Leo, the invisible guardian spirit beside her. His tone was laced with amusement, followed by a low chuckle. "And Victoria... you’re in serious trouble. Both mother and daughter are planning your downfall."

Victoria didn’t flinch. Her jaw tightened slightly, but she remained still.

"Your peaceful days are over," Leo continued with a serious edge now in his tone. "From this point forward, it’s war. Be careful, little one. Very careful."

Victoria lowered her gaze, her expression unreadable. "I know," she whispered under her breath, just loud enough for Leo to hear. "And I’m ready."

Leo nodded silently, his presence calming yet intense.

Just then, Anna, who had been silently observing Victoria, leaned forward with a soft expression.

"Victoria," she said gently, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Are you still thinking about what happened earlier? That incident... it’s in the past now, darling. Don’t let it weigh on your heart."

Victoria blinked, then turned to Anna with a small, polite smile. "Oh... that’s not it, Miss Anna. I promise, I’m okay."

Anna wasn’t convinced. She moved closer, took a seat beside Victoria, and reached for her hand.

"I know you feel sad," she said warmly. "But I want you to remember something: you have me now. I’m not just Darius and the others’ big sister...I’m yours too. You’re not alone, Victoria. If anyone dares to bully you again, I’ll be the first to defend you. I promise."

Before Victoria could even respond, Anna slipped off her two golden bangles and gently placed them on Victoria’s wrists.

Victoria gasped softly. "Wait....Miss Anna, you don’t have to...."

"Shh," Anna cut in with a smile. "Let’s be sisters, Victoria."