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Chapter 5
“Alina, we’re here. Let me come in with you–can’t have that little fake princess bullying you again!”
Looking at Freya, whose eyes were as red as mine, I hesitantly shook my head.]
All these years, just trying to defend me, she’d suffered countless schemes from Zaria Ironpelt.[]
Freya was too straightforward and trusting–Zaria could dig a trap right in front of her and she wouldn’t see it coming.
And Lucian, using his status as the Bloodstone heir, always took Zaria’s side, making Freya cry with frustration.[]
I was about to… leave this place, and I couldn’t let her get in trouble for my sake anymore.]
It’s okay, Freya. I’m just grabbing my pack registration papers and travel documents. I’ll be right back out.“]
I took a deep breath and lifted my heavy skirts, walking into the Darkwood family estate.[]
The moment I stepped inside, I saw Zaria Ironpelt–the girl Kaelan and Lucian claimed was “crying her heart out“-lounging on the sofa, twirling her hair around her finger with a huge grin on her face.
“Oh, sister’s back? I remember Lucian left less than an hour ago. The ceremony ended that fast?“]]
She pretended to gasp in shock, covering her mouth. “What happened to your gown? Even if Lucian can’t stand you, he shouldn’t have poured wine on you. That’s what Luna Isabella left you, after all.“|[]
Seeing my completely emotionless expression, the smile in her eyes finally began to fade.
I couldn’t summon even a spark of anger–just a bone–deep, crushing sadness that made my wolf whimper in my chest.
Even she remembered it was Mom’s gift to me, but Kaelan… had forgotten.]
Before she could speak again, I cut her off, my voice hollow.
“It wasn’i Lucian.”
She froze. I continued: “It wasn’t him. It was Kaelan.“]]
Zaria’s expression completely froze. She opened and closed her mouth several times but couldn’t get a word out.
“You don’t need to scheme anymore. Kaelan, Lucian–take them both. I don’t want anything anymore.“[]
My voice broke slightly on the last words, years of pain finally bleeding through.
I tried to walk past her to my room, but she suddenly lunged forward, grabbing my wrist in a death grip that made me gasp.[] Something I’d said had clearly hit a nerve, because Zaria’s emotions exploded with terrifying intensity.[]
“Give them to me? What do you mean give them to me? You’re just too pathetic to fight! You never could compete with me!”[]
Chapter 3
“I don’t want anyone’s charity! I won fair and square–I WON!“]]
She showed me that vicious expression she only wore when we were alone, her eyes wild with manic glee that made my skin crawl.
“Alina Darkwood, you lost! You lost to me! Hahahahaha!“]
I thought she’d completely lost it. Her grip on my wrists was painful, her nails digging into my skin.[]
“Zaria Ironpelt! Are you insane?!”
I couldn’t take it anymore and pushed her away–barely using any force at all.
But she screamed like I’d tried to kill her, throwing herself against the display cabinet by the wall with theatrical precision.]
CRASH-
The entire cabinet toppled over in an instant.[]
My treasured possessions from over a decade–broken, shattered, destroyed beyond recognition. Photos of my parents, childhood mementos, everything that connected me to who I used to be…
I stood there stunned, staring at a broken glass jar on the floor that had held pressed flowers from my mother’s garden, when someone shoved me hard from behind.[]
“Get away from her! I came here to apologize to you, and the moment I’m not watching, you’re attacking Zaria!“]
Lucian, who’d just arrived, pushed me onto a pile of glass shards. My ankle immediately started bleeding, the sharp pain nothing compared to the agony in my chest.
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