Broken Ring, Hidden Queen

Chapter 3

Aria's POV

On Sunday, I tried FaceTiming the pups.

Through the screen, I saw Lara and Isaac clinging to Kierra's silk dress. They weren't in any hurry to see me.

To them, I represented rules, health protocols, and quiet sighs; Kierra represented glamour, sweets, and indulgence.

"Aren't you guys excited to see your mommy soon?" Kierra asked, her voice dripping with sweetness.

"No way," Lara huffed, crossing her small arms. "We don't want her. We want to stay with you."

Kierra's lips curled into a smirk directed at the camera.

"Well, then, I have a little surprise for you." She paused for effect. "I'm going back with you this time."

"Yes!" Lara cheered, jumping up and down.

My call flashed on their screen again. With a flick of her thumb, Lara declined it. When the phone buzzed a second time, she blocked me.

I stared at the "Call Failed" message on my screen. A cold pit formed in my stomach. Desperate and trembling, I called the estate's head maid.

"Luna..." the maid whispered, sounding conflicted.

"The pups are fine. Kierra is taking great care of them. They're actually with her right now, playing dress-up."

I froze.

The rejection stung worse than the bond snapping.

"That's... that's OK," I managed to choke out. "As long as they're OK."

I moved to an apartment, and for the first time in years, I felt relaxed.

My neighbor, Ralph, was a cranky old man. He would spend his mornings yelling at me from across the balcony.

"You're drowning those flowers, girl!" Ralph barked.

I actually laughed. "I'm trying, Ralph!"

Ralph was blunt, but he was teaching me how to nurture something other than a family.

For the first time, I was living for myself.

That evening, my mentor, Jane, called with an invitation to a Gala.

It was the same one I asked Collin about.

"You were the best Alchemist I ever had in the studio, but you threw it all away for Julian," Jane said bluntly. "Just come back. You don't belong in that kitchen."

I stayed silent, listening.

"The Starks have been looking for a Master Alchemist to lead their new high-end healing line," Jane whispered. "They're integrating traditional herbs with lunar-blessed aromatics. It's your soul-work, Aria. Come back to the lab."

The Starks were the rising dynasty of the shifter world.

Their Alpha, Jake Stark, was a man of cold precision.

He knew that a healer with the right scent profile was more valuable than a thousand soldiers.

As an Omega, I had been told my only purpose was to soothe my Alpha's temper.

But my blood gave me a gift beyond biology.

I could weave peace into a perfume.

I could mend a fractured soul with a single note of sandalwood.

"Yes, I'd love to go!"

The day soon came.

The Gala was grander than I thought.

As I walked to the main hall with Jane, a sharp, familiar scent hit my nostrils.

"Aria? What on earth are you doing at a Healing Gala?"

It was Clara, Julian's sister.

Lacking any scent-sensitivity herself, Clara had always been jealous of my abilities.

To her, my gift was nothing more than a domestic tool to make the Bolton pack house smell nice.

"This is an event for the elite, Aria," Clara sneered. "Shouldn't you be back at the villa? Julian and the pups returned tonight."

"Julian is back? I hope he enjoys the silence of the house."

Clara's eyes narrowed.

"Don't get cocky. My mother needs that 'Silver-Finned' infused oil you make. So, send it over tomorrow."

For years, I had used my precious healing gift to dull the Bolton family's aches, receiving nothing but disdain in return.

"No, Clara," I said firmly. "If your mother is in pain, tell her to get a sedative. I'm no longer the pack's dispenser."

Clara's jaw dropped.

"How dare you?! You're an Omega! You were born to serve the pack!"

"My blood," I countered, stepping closer until she backed away, "belongs to me now!"

I turned back to Jane, ignoring Clara's sputtering rage.

"I'll take the Stark contract."

"That's the spirit!" Jane beamed.

A few hours later, the Healing Gala was winding down.

Jane had left early to finalize the Stark contract, leaving me to walk the halls alone.

As I stepped out onto the curb, a sleek black SUV pulled up.

The window slid down to reveal a man with kind, steady eyes.

"Aria? It's raining. Can I give you a lift?"

It was Lucas, a high-ranking Alpha from a neighboring pack.

I'd just met him at the gala.

Unlike Julian, his energy felt like a calm lake.

"Looking for a new Alpha already, Aria?"

Clara taunted with her arms crossed.

"Your taste is getting worse," Clara laughed, her voice cutting through the rain.

"If it weren't for your healing blood, Kierra would have been Julian's Luna years ago."

"If you're going to hunt for other males, do us all a favor and sign the divorce papers. Stop dragging the Bolton name through the mud!"

"I've already done it," I said. "Consider your wish granted."

Clara stiffened.

"You'd better mean it."

She turned on her heel and climbed into her car.

I offered Lucas a weary smile.

"Sorry you had to see that..."

"There's no need to apologize," Lucas replied softly. "I know a diamond in the rough when I see one. Stay safe, Aria."

He waited until my ride arrived before pulling away.

I slumped into the backseat of my car; I had a bad headache.

I noticed that Lara had finally unblocked me.

And she posted a photo.

The four of them were in matching bear-themed pajamas.

I had spent months making those pajamas...

Back then, Julian said they were "childish."

The pups complained they were "itchy."

Now, they were wearing them like a uniform.

My wolf roared in agony, demanding I reach out to my pups one last time.

I dialed Lara's number.

But, then again, she didn't pick up.

Suddenly, a violent tremor racked my body.

I coughed blood—the mark of a Healer's internal collapse.

The driver gasped, "Are you alright? I'll drive you to the hospital now!"