Chapter 21: Blood Ties
ARIA POV
The broken glass bottle exploded across the floor as I dodged Elira’s attack. Her wolf was half-shifted, teeth bared, eyes burning with hate.
"You stole everything from me!" she screamed, lunging again.
I rolled behind an old table, sending dried herbs flying. Mira had already fled through the window, hopefully running for help.
"I didn’t steal anything!" I shouted back, my own wolf rising in answer to the threat. "The Moon Goddess chose this path!"
"Lies!" Elira snarled. "You’re nothing but a fake. You think knowing you’re some lost Alpha changes anything? You’re still the same useless girl who doesn’t belong here."
I felt my claws lengthen, my vision sharpening with silver light. "I know who I am now."
"Do you?" Elira laughed sadly. "Beta Marcus didn’t tell you everything. The curse isn’t just about the triplets—it’s about you too."
A sudden crash stopped us as the cabin door burst open. Lucien stood there, breathing hard, eyes glowing gold.
"Get away from her," he growled at Elira, his voice deeper than I’d ever heard it.
Elira backed away, but her smile stayed cruel. "Perfect time. The healer comes to save his little mate—or is it sister? I wonder which one you are."
