Episode 15
1333 Words
Clara’s POV
Before I got to the center of the hall, I could hear Caleb’s deep, serious voice clearly. “Ethan, I’m asking you again. Were the things you just said true?”
I held my breath, waiting for my son to answer.
“They… they’re true,” Ethan’s small, timid voice trembled with uncertainty. “She took the necklace Frost left in the bathroom when she went with me… and told me not to tell anyone…”
I stood there, listening to my own son frame me. Every word cut through me like a knife, leaving my chest raw, bleeding.
Frost, hearing Ethan, immediately lowered her head and forced a concerned expression, grabbing Caleb’s arm.
“Don’t be angry, Caleb. If Luna wants it, I can give her the necklace. I was only worried she’d influence Ethan and Emilia…”
“Influence my puppies? I wonder who really influences them,” I said as I stepped into the room.
Ethan lowered his head almost instantly, avoiding my gaze. But I knew it wasn’t remorse—it was guilt and fear.
“Look who’s here.” Natasha said sharply, glaring at me. “Thief Clara. You’re that desperate for money? Stealing Frost’s necklace… shameless, really.”
“Luna Natasha, do you have any proof?” I asked calmly.
"Your own son reported you. " Natasha snapped back. “Ethan already told us everything! Ethan, don’t be afraid, your family will protect you. This blind b***h won’t hurt you.”
Blind b***h. Calling me that in front of my own son… No wonder Ethan dared to do something like this.
Ignored her, I turned to Caleb. “Do you think I stole it?”
His gaze flickered. “If you took it by mistake, just give it back.”
I almost laughed in disbelief at him. “After all these years as your mate, I thought you should know me.”
“That necklace is important to Frost,” he said, his eyes earnest, as if I should care about her. “If you want, I can buy you a new…”
I couldn’t take it anymore. “I didn’t take it,” I repeated firmly.
Caleb looked disappointed, frowning. “Ethan is just a kid. He would not lie.”
Wouldn’t lie? I didn’t answer, only casting a last hopeful glance at Ethan. “Ethan, I’m asking you one last time. Are you sure it was me who took Frost’s necklace?”
Ethan shrank against Caleb, biting his finger nervously. His voice wavered, but he still said, “I saw it.”
My heart shattered completely. Expressionless, I flipped my bag over and emptied everything onto the table.
There it was—the necklace.
“See?! You stole Frost’s necklace! How could a thief like you could be Luna of Silvercrest,” Natasha hissed, venom in her words.
“If you think I’m unworthy of being Luna, we can break the matebond,” I shot back.
“Clara!” Caleb looked at Natasha with disapproval.
“Don’t blame Clara! Maybe she took it by mistake since she can't see,” Frost said, feigning pitiful innocence. “But this necklace is very important to me. Please… could you please give it back, Luna? I beg you.”
She fell to her knees, sobbing against my dress. Her fingers dug into the fabric as she begged. An Oscar-worthy act.
I stepped back and pulled my dress free from her hands.“Save your tears. I actually have good news to share with you.”
I blinked. “I’ve been taking medication ever since I was discharged. This morning—my eyesight came back.”
I paused to enjoy Frost and Natasha’s expression. Their eyes wide. “W-what?”
“I’m so glad you’re happy for me,” I smiled, ignoring the stiffness on their faces.
“But… but your own testimony—how can that count?” Natasha insisted, still refusing to give up.
So I took out my phone. “That’s exactly why I’m going to show you this video.”
I played the clip I had just received from Harper—the hallway surveillance footage, clearly showing Ethan slipping the necklace into my bag.
The hall fell completely silent until Caleb's arms wrapped around me from behind.
“Clara…” he said softly. “I’m so…happy for you.”
I didn’t answer, and he turned to Ethan awkwardly, his voice snapped like a whip. “Ethan! How could you do this?”
My son flinched but didn’t back down. His little chin jutted stubbornly.
“Ethan,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm despite the rage and heartbreak, “Mommy sacrificed her health and her wolf nature to bring you into this world. I love you. You can dislike me, but you shouldn’t lie and accuse me.”
His face scrunched, and then he began to cry violently. His tears broke my heart, but I continued, "You should apologize to mommy, Ethan."
“Enough, Clara!” Caleb grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “He’s just a child. He doesn’t understand. Don’t expect too much from him.”
He stepped in again. Always watching, always stopping me. He never wanted me and Ethan to get close!
I ignored him, crouched down, and looked straight at my sobbing son.
“Ethan,” I said gently, choosing every word with care, “Mom isn’t trying to force you. But hurting others just to reach your goal… that’s not okay.”
“Just apologize and Mommy will forgive you. Okay?” I knelt in front of Ethan, trying to guide him to do the right thing. His eyes flickered. I could see him hesitating.
“You know what’s right. You just need a little courage. Right, baby?” I stroked his shoulder, encouraging him. I believed in my son.
With my patient prompting, Ethan finally opened his mouth.“I-I’m sorry. It's...it's Frost—”
“Ethan!” Frost had come up behind me without me realizing it. “You made such a big mistake. Your mom would never forgive you!”
Ethan’s eyes widened, filled with panic and distrust towards me.
“Shut up!” I growled. The hidden threat in her words made my skin crawl. And I have heard it. It's she who asked my son to do it.
My anger raging in my mind, I took a step forward.
“Clara, enough!” Caleb commanded with his alpha voice, “This ends here. The banquet is over. Take Ethan and Emilia back.”
"You heard it! I want Frost to apologize!" I shot back.
He grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer. His voice was low and controlled, “Don’t go too far, Clara.”
His words carried both a threat and a protection. I could feel the weight of his presence pressing against me.
I closed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. Fine. Ethan has learned his lesson. Frost and Caleb are no longer worth my concern.
I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded. He released my wrist and stepped back. “Good.”
Everyone left quickly, until there’s only Frost and me.
“Clara,” she recovered from her feigned panic and cooed with false sweetness, “how do you feel?”
“How do I feel?” I said. “You took my mate and my puppies. I spent years getting them, and you stole everything in an instant.”
Frost curled a cold smile. “Do you know why?” she asked.
I said nothing, just stared at her, waiting for the venom to come out.
“Because you’re too strong. You’re a warrior,” she said bluntly.
She paused, letting the words settle. “I’ve seen many she-wolves like you. Beautiful, determined, capable, always clawing their way up. But you know what? Alphas and puppies don’t need you to be strong.”
“On the contrary, they fear the strong.” She tilted her head, smiling.
- Writer
