Chapter 21 CHAPTER 21: Wolf in Another’s Skin
"Did you find out what I asked for?" Uthred asked, his gaze shifting to the raven perched inside its cage.
"Yes. I followed him closely, but then—he vanished. I think this Alpha Demetrius is one of us."
Uthred smiled, turning fully toward the voice. "I knew it. He is not my Alpha. Where is my Alpha?" His words were more to himself than anyone else as he sank onto his seat.
He looked up at the mage in a black cloak. "Does this mean this Alpha is a Lycan ?"
A heavy silence filled the room.
"I can't say for cert—"
"Before you finish that thought, I’ve seen him shift into a wolf."
The mage swallowed.
"Then it’s rare, brother. There is no record of a Lycan being born. Even among mixed bloodlines, one either takes the father’s side or the mother’s. That is the way of things."
"Well," Uthred murmured, a slow grin spreading across his face. "We have our first Lycan. "
The mage’s eyes gleamed. "I know a way to find out for certain."
Uthred leaned forward, intrigued. "Tell me."
"Get a lock of his hair—and bring it to me."
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Aurora Fang stalked through the packhouse corridors.
She had been searching for Aria's chambers for what felt like forever, and frustration curled in her gut. This place was a damned labyrinth.
As she turned a corner, three maids approached, their laughter fading as they noticed her blocking their path.
"You. Tell me where your Luna’s chambers are," Aurora demanded, her tone sharp, her gaze cold.
The maids exchanged looks before one scoffed. "Excuse me?"
Aurora folded her arms. "Are you deaf? I said—"
"You said nothing worth answering," the first maid sneered. "Who do you think you are to command us?"
"Some mongrel from the Crimson Moon Pack, that’s who," another chimed in, eyeing her with disdain.
"And you think you deserve to be shown the way?"
Aurora clenched her fists, barely holding back a snarl. "Watch your tongue. I asked nicely."
The third maid smirked. "That was your version of nice?" She stepped forward, jabbing a finger into Aurora chest. "Try again. Beg us properly."
Aurora jaw tightened, but before she could retort, another jab forced her back a step. Then another.
Her spine hit the sun-warmed stone wall, and a flicker of unease ran through her.
The maids exchanged wicked smiles.
"Girls, it seems this Crimson Moon stray thinks she’s important because of that traitorous bitch, Aurora Fang ," one mocked.
"Why don’t we remind her of her place?"
Before Aurora could react, fingers tangled in her hair and yanked—hard.
Pain exploded across her scalp, forcing a sharp gasp from her lips. Her hands shot up, grabbing at the wrist of the maid pulling her, but the grip was like iron.
Rage and humiliation burned through her veins. If she had her wolf, these wretched dogs wouldn’t dare touch her.
"How dare you lay your filthy hands on me?" she snarled, fury trembling in her voice.
A sharp slap cracked across Aurora face, snapping her head to the side.
She gasped, her cheek stinging, but before she could recover, another blow landed—this time to her ribs.
. Pain flared, stealing her breath.
"You think you're something special?" one of the maids taunted, gripping her by the collar and shoving her harder against the wall. "You should have kept that arrogant mouth shut."
Aurora tried to shove them off, but a knee slammed into her stomach, and she choked on a scream.
"Listen to that," another laughed. "She squeals just like a helpless little pig."
A fist tangled in her hair again, yanking her head back. "Say 'please,' Crimson Moon scum. Beg us."
"Go to hell," Aurora spat, tasting blood.
The words cost her—a brutal shove sent her sprawling to the ground.
Then the kicks came.
Blinding pain shot through her ribs, her back, her legs. She curled in on herself, her arms wrapped around her head as their boots slammed into her body.
She refused to cry out.
But when one of them stomped hard on her hand, pain so sharp it stole her breath, a strangled cry finally tore from her throat.
A triumphant chuckle. "Not so tough now, are you?"
\---
Aria stepped outside, her heart pounding. The moment the maids saw her, their faces paled, and they scattered like frightened rats, vanishing down the corridors.
She wasted no time, rushing to where Aurora lay groaning on the cold floor. Blood smeared her lip, and her hair was a tangled mess, she could remember her as the girl was a substitute for.
" Aurora ," Aria called, kneeling beside her.
Behind her, she heard the rustle of movement. She didn’t turn. The slight creak of the door and the faintest shift in air told her he was gone.
A wretched sob from Aurora through the tense air, loud enough to draw attention.
More footsteps. More voices. A crowd began to form, murmurs rising.
Then—
"Aurora ! What’s happening here?"
Aria turned, and there she was—Lydia.
Her face paled at the sight of the bruised girl on the floor—then, to Aria's shock, she didn’t rush to her.
She came straight to Aria .
Grabbing her arms, Lydia’s touch was urgent, her eyes frantic as they scanned for injuries.
"Are you hurt?" she demanded. "Did they touch you?"
Aria couldn’t speak.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
The one on the floor was her real daughter, Yet here Lydia was, shielding her, worrying over her—as if she truly was Aurora Fang.
A lump formed in Aria's throat.
Then—
A sniffle.
Aurora shifted on the ground, her hand weakly pressing against her bruised cheek. Her lips quivered as she looked up at them.
And then she whispered, voice thick with heartbreak.
"Why did you hit me, Luna Aurora ?"
Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd.
"What did I do to deserve this?"
Aria stomach dropped.
This conniving bitch!!!