Chapter 56 Helping Out

Chapter 56 Helping Out


Nova tilted her head to the side. The she blurted out. "No, she wasn't."

Eretria scooted closer to the camera. “I'm quite certain she was," she said. "That's what the records say."

Rune turned to Nova, giving her a questioning look. “What makes you think she had a sister? There's no record of any relatives. She was alone."

Nova opened her mouth, then closed it. Had her visions been wrong? Was Eloise just a figment of her imagination?

"Your Luna is correct." Lyria's voice was quiet but firm. "Veronica did have a younger sister."

Eretria whipped toward her sister. “Since when?"

"I found it in one of the old texts from the basement. A few citations mention a younger girl with Veronica. There was no name, and the girl died shortly after. That's likely why she was erased from history." Lyria explained. “That could be the girl you’re mentioning, Luna.”

Eretria blinked. "I need to read more."

Lyria rolled her eyes.

Cassian finally spoke from the side. "That changes nothing. If the girl died young, Nova couldn't be her descendant."

Rune's gaze settled on Nova. "There's a more important question." His voice was measured. "How did you know about the sister in the first place? Did Lucien tell you?"

Nova bit her lip. She had no excuse for knowing that kind of information, sos he decided to come clean. "I saw them."

"Saw who?"

"Veronica. And Eloise."

Eretria narrowed her eyes. "You saw Veronica?"

Nova nodded slowly. “I had a dream." She paused. "Several of them."

Rune frowned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought I was hallucinating." Nova's voice was quieter now. "Until last night."

His eyes widened. "Is that why you fainted?"

"Yes." She nodded. Then she turned and looked at Lyria. "Eloise was her sister, and she was very much alive. Do you know how she died?"

Lyria thought of it for a moment before answering. “The records say it was a freak accident.”

Nova’s heart dropped a little. 

Eretria leaned forward, her expression brightening. "This is good, isn't it? If you're having visions, it means the blessing in you isn't as small as we thought."

Lyria nodded. "Sister, handle matters here. Alpha, I need permission to visit your pack. While you're away, I'll get to the bottom of this."

Rune agreed. He trusted Lyria, and knowing a powerful witch would be present in his absence brought some ease.

Nova sank back into her chair. She had been so certain Eloise was her connection to Veronica. Now that thread felt thin. A dark unease settled in her chest. How had Eloise died? Had she been caught with the resistance? Would that have been what pushed Veronica over the edge?

But the records said she died through an accident. Nova ran a hand through her hair, frustration coiling in her stomach.

The call ended shortly after.

Rune turned to her. "You should have told me about the visions."

"I know." Nova exhaled. "I'm sorry. I didn’t understand why I kept seeing her. I thought I was hallucinating.”

Rune brushed a hand through her hair. "Hopefully, Lyria will have answers. I'll prepare for her arrival."

Cassian rose from his seat. "Leave the preparations to me. You have matters in the human world to handle."

Suddenly, Rune felt a bit reluctant to leave. This new information could be valuable to them.

“Why don’t I stay for the investigation?” He suggested.

"The autopsy isn't ready yet. Our men are already investigating." Cassian met his gaze evenly. "There's nothing more you can do here. If we want the revelation to go smoothly, your presence is needed there now. You can return once things are settled."

"But—"

"No buts. We can handle ourselves. If there's another attack, we won't be caught off guard." Cassian glanced at Nova. "And I'll look after your mate."

Rune sighed. Cassian was right. Challenging human leadership was a large-scale operation. The council needed to ensure nothing went wrong, that no one went too far. There was too much at stake.

"When do you leave?" Nova asked.

"This afternoon. I'll be back next week." His reluctance was clear.

"Stay safe," she said.

Rune placed a hand on her head, a brief, fond touch. "The pack is in your hands now."

\---

Afternoon came quickly. Rune packed and left.

Cassian was heading out when Nova stopped him.

"Cassian." He turned. "I want to visit the hospital and see the injured wolves. It's the least I can do."

He pause, lifting his brow. "Are you sure? Most of them won't be welcoming. Word of your escape has spread and they blame you.”

Nova straightened. "I want to."

Cassian gazed at her for a minute before shrugging. "Then come on."

They drove to the hospital in silence. Nova recognized the building immediately. It was the same place she had been held when she first arrived. How much had changed since then.

The moment they stepped inside, conversations faltered. Eyes followed her across the lobby, through the corridors, to the elevator. Cassian stayed close, but even he couldn't shield her from the weight of their stares. 

Some were of curiosity, some contempt, and others, doubt. She let it all settle over her skin without flinching. She sighed.

Her escape had been poorly timed. It was as if someone was deliberately trying to frame her. Was it just coincident that the pack was attacked on the day she tried to escape or was it planned?

No one knew of her plan except her and Lucien, and she was confident Lucien hadn’t tattled. So who could it be?

The elevator doors opened. Nova stepped out, her pulse quickening. She felt nervous facing the warriors. What if no one heard her out?

"What if they—"

"You face your fears," Cassian interrupted, and before she could respond, he pushed open the ward door before she could chicken out.

Every pair of eyes turned to her.

Nova froze for half a second before quickly composing herself. A few warriors bowed their heads in acknowledgment before looking away. Nurses did the same.

"Luna!" A voice shouted.

Nova looked up and her eyes softened when she found Austin, the omega who had represented them in the duel. He was beaming and waving at her.

"Austin." She approached, leaving Cassian by the door. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Luna. What are you doing here?"

She gestured vaguely at the room. "I came to see the injured warriors. See if I can help." She replied slowly before her gaze travelled down his body. His hand was bandaged up but apart from that, he looked fine. "Are you badly hurt?"

"No. It’s just a bite. Sarah wants us to stay in case of infection." Austin lowered his voice. "Those rogues were strange. She wants to make sure we didn't catch anything."

“Ah,” Nova nodded. It made sense. If the rogues had an infection or virus, it was better to catch it quick before it spread among the pack. “I can't believe you're already a warrior."

Austin smiled shyly. "Still in training, actually. But I was allowed to patrol. That's how I got caught in the crossfire."

"I'm sorry."

His brow furrowed. "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault."

From across the room, a warrior snickered. "It's completely her fault. We would have caught those rogues sooner if everyone wasn't so worried about her."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the ward.

Austin sat up straighter. "That's not true. We were caught off guard because no one expected an attack of that scale. It wasn't her fault."

"Doesn't change the fact that she lured them here." Another voice joined in. "That's what Amberle says, and I believe her. She left us all to die."

Austin's jaw tightened. He had grown go distaste Amberle after she had suppressed them all this years. “I thought everyone stopped believing everything Amberle says. She wants to be Luna. Of course she'll take any chance to throw shade at Luna Nova."

The other wolf growled. Nova stepped between them before it could escalate.

"Enough."

The room fell silent.

Nova exhaled. "Leaving like that was wrong. I was shortsighted, and I'm sorry for making everyone worry." She met the eyes of the warriors who were watching her. "But I had no part in the rogue attack. I'm not working with anyone—human, rogue, or otherwise—to destroy this pack. I would never put any of you in danger." She let the words settle. "I mean that."

Austin smiled. She smiled back.

"That alone won't fix anything," someone muttered.

"I know." Nova lifted her chin. "That's why I'm going to help. In any way I can. I know many of you don't trust me, but I'll earn it." She turned to the nurses. "I want to help. Whatever needs to be done—cleaning, carrying supplies, anything. Tell me."

The nurses exchanged uneasy glances. One of them whispered, "The Alpha will have our heads."

Nova met her gaze. "It's a good thing he's not here, then."