Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Astrid’s POV
Kaeleen’s question hung in the air, a gentle probe into the deepest recesses of my past. The high of standing up to Leon and the Elders was fading, replaced by a familiar ache, the ghost of a life I’d lost, a sister I’d mourned, and now, a stranger wearing her face.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "It’s a long story," I began, my voice a little shaky. "And it’s not a pretty one."
Alex, sensing my discomfort, squeezed my hand. "You don’t have to, Astrid," he said softly. "Not if you don’t want to."
I managed a weak smile. "No, it’s okay. Kaeleen deserves to know." I turned to him, meeting his concerned gaze. "Clara and I were twins. Identical. We grew up in the Wildthorn pack. It wasn’t... the best place. My father was a stern man, obsessed with tradition. Clara was everything he wanted in a daughter, obedient, quiet, graceful. I... wasn’t."
I paused, the memories flooding back, sharp and vivid. "I was always getting into trouble. I was reckless, impulsive. I craved adventure. Clara was more cautious, more content with the familiar. But we were close, despite our differences. Inseparable, really."
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing. "When we were seven, I convinced her to go with me to the forbidden forest. It was stupid, I know. Everyone warned us never to go there, but I was curious. I wanted to see what was so dangerous about it."
My voice broke, and I had to stop for a moment to compose myself. Kaeleen’s hand tightened around mine, offering silent support.
"We found a river," I continued, my voice barely a whisper. "It was beautiful, sparkling like jewels. I was so caught up in admiring it that I didn’t notice Clara had wandered off. She slipped on a rock and fell into the water. The current was strong, too strong for her."
Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. "I tried to save her, but I couldn’t. I fell and hit my head. I ran back to get help, but it was too late. They never found her body. They only found her dress, caught on a branch."