Zeph’s breath hitched as she stared at the identical mark on Ashral’s shoulder. Her mind raced with questions.
“You are from the starlight pack,” she finally said, her voice hoarse from the lingering effects of the poison.
Ashral nodded. “So are you.”
“So, not all were wiped out?”
“Not entirely,” Ashral murmured. Some of us survived, scattered across different territories. Hiding.”
“From who?”
“Our enemies”
“Don’t you know who they are?”
“I don’t. "How did you end up in this situation where Ryker wanted to brainwash you?”
Zeph exhaled, her body still weak but recovering. “It’s a long story.”
Ashral gave her a pointed look. “I think we have time.”
Zeph let out a breath, her body still heavy and useless against the cold stone beneath her.
“Ryker rejected me as his mate because I was a powerless omega with no wolf, and he later found out about my powers, and apparently, he’s really interested in them.”
Ashral clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “. Power-hungry fool.”
Zeph would’ve shrugged if she could move. Instead, she settled for a weak smirk. “Glad I’m the only one who sees it.”
Ashral ignored her sarcasm. “So, he kidnapped you. And now he wants to brainwash you into… what? Being his plaything?”
“Pretty much.”
Ashral sighed. “What powers do you possess?”
Zeph’s eyes flickered with suspicion. “Why do you ask?”
“Just answer me.”
Zeph hesitated but relented. “Fine… telepathy, healing, mind-reading.”
“Hold up.” Ashral’s entire demeanor shifted as she took a step closer, eyes sharp. “What did you just say?”
Zeph blinked. “Uh… telepathy, healing, mind-reading.”
Ashral’s expression hardened like stone. “You have more than one ?”
Zeph frowned, confusion knotting her brow. “Uh, yeah? Is that a problem?”
Ashral let out a slow breath, rubbing her temples as if she had a sudden headache. “Zeph, every Starlight Pack member, is born with a single unique ability. One. That’s how our pack has always been.”
“Well, I must’ve missed that memo because I clearly have multiple.”
Ashral looked at her with something close to disbelief. Then, realization dawned on her eyes. “That’s impossible… unless…”
“Unless what?”
Ashral hesitated before finally saying, “Unless you are the missing heir.”
Zeph blinked. “Excuse me?”
Ashral was too stunned to speak as she fell to the ground. “It couldn’t be…everyone thought you were dead. How are you still alive?”
“What are you even talking about??”
“Years ago, when the Starlight Pack was attacked, the Alpha’s only child—his heir, went missing as a baby. That child was said to be" one of those in our history who possessed multiple abilities.”
Zeph’s pulse quickened. “You’re joking.”
"I wish I was," Ashral said, her voice shaking. Then, to Zeph's surprise, tears welled up in her eyes. "I can’t believe I've found you..." Ashral whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "After all these years."
Zeph’s chest tightened. This had to be some kind of trick. Some sick game Ryker set up to mess with her mind.
"Your mother... she never lost hope. She was sure you were alive. And when she finds out...", she quickly wiped away a tear as her voice cracked. "She'll be so happy to know her daughter is alive."
Zeph’s breath caught in her throat.
“My mother?” she rasped. “My real mother?”
Ashral nodded solemnly. “Yes.” She adjusted her posture and took a calm breath. “Let me introduce myself again. I am Ashral, your mother’s sister.
Zeph’s mouth went dry. “You are lying." Ryker sent you here to trick me.
“Wouldn’t you have read my mind if I had evil intentions?”
She is right. Zeph thought.
“So that makes you…my aunt?” Zeph couldn’t believe her ears. “This sounds so unbelievable.”
“I understand how you feel. But first, we need to get you out of this dungeon. ”
“How? My body is paralyzed. I can’t move an inch.”
Ashral exhaled sharply, her gaze flickering over Zeph’s motionless body. “That poison Ryker used on you… it’s designed to suppress your abilities. He wouldn’t risk keeping you here otherwise.”
Zeph clenched her teeth, frustration bubbling under her skin. Of course, he would. Coward.
“I have already figured that out. So, what do we do? "Drag me out of here?” She tried to force her fingers to move, but nothing happened. A wave of helplessness hit her. She hated this feeling.
Ashral crouched behind the dungeon gate, lowering her voice. “There’s another way.”
Zeph’s breath hitched. “What do you mean?”
“You have multiple abilities—more than anyone from our pack has ever had. "You have the ability to burn the poison out of your body.
Zeph blinked. “Burn? As in… fire?”
Ashral nodded. “Heat, to be precise. Your body is capable of generating internal heat strong enough to neutralize the poison. But you have to will it.”
Zeph laughed bitterly. “And how exactly do I do that? I can’t even mo e.”
“I’ll guide you,” Ashral said firmly. “You just have to trust me.”
Zeph swallowed, staring at her. Trust. It wasn’t something she gave easily, but what choice did she have? She couldn’t stay there, waiting for Ryker to break her. And if Ashral was really her aunt…
She took a slow, shaky breath. “Alright. What do I do?”
Ashral’s expression softened. Close your eyes. Focus on your core. Find the spark inside you.”
Zeph inhaled, trying to picture it. At first, nothing happened. The cold still clung to her like a second skin.
Frustration curled inside her. “I don’t feel anything.”
“You will. Dig deeper.”
Zeph’s jaw tightened. She tried again, this time concentrating harder. She imagined a tiny ember buried within her, flickering weakly..
“You’re doing great,” Ashral murmured.
Zeph focused harder, willing the warmth to grow, to burn.
“I could feel something shift inside me…”
“It means it’s working.”
She could feel some kind of tingle moving through her arms and legs, like tiny sparks under her skin. She could feel the cold in her body starting to fade.
Her fingers twitched.
Ashral’s eyes narrowed. “You’re doing very well. Don’t stop.”
Zeph gritted her teeth, she felt her body get hotter, sweat began to form on her skin. The tingling turned to a slow-burning feeling that felt liberating.
Then, suddenly, her body jerked as a wave of heat pulsed outward.
Ashral grinned. “You did it.”
Zeph gasped, her limbs trembling as sensation flooded back. The poison's hold was loosening. Zeph tightened her fists, feeling her strength coming back. She sat up, stretching her arms and legs.
"Now it's time to teach that bastard a lesson."
“Calm your horses. Do you really want to fight against all his warriors?”
Zeph scowled, rolling her shoulders as the last traces of numbness faded. “So what? I’m supposed to sit here and let him get away with this?”
Ashral crossed her arms. “No, but you’re not going to charge in recklessly, either. You just regained your strength. Ryker is smart enough to expect you’ll fight back. You need to be smarter.”
Zeph exhaled sharply, but she knew Ashral was right. Her body was still recovering, and if she starts a fight now, she won’t be able to finish it.
“What’s our next move?”