Episode 12
1144 Words
Clara’s POV
It was already dusk when I arrived.
As I walked toward the front entrance, I saw Caleb opening the back door of his car. Ethan and Emilia hopped out, bouncing like excited little pups.
I stopped and smiled, watching them run toward me. “Hi—”
But Ethan’s smile faded the second he saw my face. His steps slowed. His mouth tightened.
“Don’t talk to me,” he said sharply, then brushed past me, giggling as he ran toward someone behind me.
“Auntie!”
“Oh my little pumpkin!” Quinn—Caleb’s sister—swept him into her arms.
Emilia glanced at me, hesitant, then followed him and threw herself into Quinn’s embrace too.
My heart dropped. The smile froze on my lips, and my hand trembled awkwardly in the air. I lowered it as if nothing had happened, pretending that I did not notice the eyes on me.
They still need some time. I comforted myself.
Caleb came after them, whistling at me like I was something he’d just unwrapped.
Then he took my hand.
Warm. Steady.
A feeling I hadn’t felt in a very long time.
My jaw twitched. Goosebumps crawled on me. I tried to pull my hand back, but his other hand slid around my waist, sending chills down my spine.
“You look so beautiful tonight, Clara.” He leaned down, his mouth brushing my ear. “I love how you dress for me.”
For you?
I laughed silently in my head, fighting the sudden urge to shove him away.
This dress had stayed in my closet for years. Caleb once watched me try it on and didn’t even bother to look up.
“It’s not appropriate for you,” he said.
And I—like an i***t—had mistaken that for care and affection. I tried the dress again and again after that, but never wore it outside.
And now he “loved” it?
“Good,” I said quietly. “I’m glad you like it. Finally.”
“Luna.” Before Caleb could react, a sweet voice floated from behind him suddenly. And I didn’t need to look to know who it was.
Frost.
She stepped out of the car Caleb and my puppies had just ridden in and walked towards me, stopped right beside my mate.
I clenched my jaw and whispers rose among the pack members.
“Frost,” I forced myself to say calmly, “I didn’t know maids would join tonight’s dinner too.”
Caleb’s eyes flickered with anger. “Don’t, Clara.” Warning dripped from his tone. “Frost is our Gamma now. I gave her a ride.”
A ride.
“Good evening Luna.” Frost approached, her smile bright enough to cut skin. She offered her hand. “About what happened earlier today—I’m truly sorry.”
She mentioned that again. I knew she wanted to humiliate me.
I looked at her hand. Then looked past it, ignoring her completely.
“Frost!”
Fast footsteps clicked behind me. Natasha, former Luna of Silvercrest—my mother-in-law—walked out from the hall. In a fitted black gown, she made her hair in a tight bun, radiating power and cold discipline. Her eyes swept over me, then dropped to Frost’s extended hand.
“Frost, dear,” she said warmly, taking both of Frost’s hands, “I’m so glad you could come. I hope you enjoy tonight.”
Then she turned toward me, her expression cooling in an instant.
“Ah. Blind Clara. You’re here too.”
Blind Clara.
Not her son’s mate.
Nor Silvercrest’s Luna.
Just a blind burden.
I didn’t answer. My gaze drifted to Caleb again. He didn’t even try to defend me.
Fine. I’d take it.
Call it my last bit of patience before I leave..
“Good evening, Natasha,” I bowed.
She nodded, faced Frost again. Smiling like a wicked witch. “Let’s head inside. Clara still has a ritual to complete.”
Ritual?
I peeked at Caleb from under my sunglasses. But he seemed confused too.
Natasha clapped her hands. Several omegas stepped onto the open square in front of the hall, carrying silver whips and bowls filled with water soaked with wolfsbane flowers.
My stomach twisted.
“What is this?” Caleb asked.
“This is a necessary ritual,” Natasha explained, “Clara was unconscious for five years. And now she lost her wolf and her sight. The witch says this is a sign of misfortune. She will bring bad luck for all of Silvercrest. The curse must be cleansed with silver dipped in wolfsbane.”
She said and clapped again. The omegas lifted the whips and formed a circle around me.
I let out a slow breath, more annoyed than afraid. “If my presence bothers you, I can skip the dinner.”
“No.” Caleb’s brows pulled tight, disapproving. “The important figure is here tonight. You must attend.”
“It’s only symbolic,” he added, patting my shoulder like he was soothing a child. “It won’t hurt.” Then he released me and walked straight into the hall, leaving me alone in the circle.
I stood alone in the circle of silver and poison, surrounded by stares that weren’t mine and a husband who stood beside his pretty mistress.
Natasha held Frost’s hand tight, like she was proudly showing everyone who her real pick for Luna was.
She never liked me since I mated with her cute baby Caleb. She wanted to banish me out of Silvercrest for a long time.
Too bad for her. She was about to get exactly what she wanted soon.
I closed my eyes. Hope tonight’s important figure and whatever opportunity came with them would be enough to make up for the damage I would suffer.
Natasha raised her hand. “Begin.” And the whips came down immediately.
Pain tore across my back, sharp and hot, then cold where the wolfsbane seeped in.
I tasted iron. My fingers curled into fists, but I didn’t move.
Another strike.
A third one ripped skin.
I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, but I stayed still.
For my puppies. For everything I still had to do.
Frost covered her eyes and hid herself behind Caleb, while he turned his head away.
I took a deep breath and waited for the next whip, but footsteps suddenly pounded behind me.
“Stop! Don’t hurt my mommy, please!” Emilia cried, her tiny arms spread wide as she tried to shield me. Her voice shook, but she didn’t move an inch.
Somehow, Emilia burst through the line of omegas and threw herself in front of me!
The whip was already mid-air, about to strike her.
My heart lurched.
“Emilia—!”
- Writer
