Broken Ring, Hidden Queen

Chapter 5

Aria's POV

When dawn broke, I opened my heavy eyes.

I felt a sharp pain all over my body.

"Aria, you have a severe spiritual virus infection."

"You came in time, or your wolf would be in danger. We tried to call your mate, but..."

"I see. Thank you," I forced a weak smile.

I pulled my phone.

More than ten missed calls from Julian popped up.

Why would he call me?

Then, someone was calling again.

"Lara?" I spoke, my voice raspy.

"You bad woman! Are you trying to kill Kierra?!"

I froze.

"Lara, what are you talking about?"

"Stop pretending! Kierra wore your pajamas last night, and now she is sick! Daddy stayed up all night by her side! I hate you!"

"Lara, calm down. I put herbs into the fabric, because you and Issac loved the smell before. How is that my fault?"

"You're lying! I don't believe you!" Lara slammed the phone.

My vision blurred.

Suddenly, a little hand reached out, holding a tissue.

"Please don't cry."

I looked up.

It was Nola, the little girl from the next bed.

"Thank you, Nola," I said and smiled.

"When you smile, you look like a glowing fairy!"

"Too bad... my Daddy already has Mommy. But my uncle is single! He is super handsome!"

"Nola, I already have a mate."

"Really? Then where is your mate?" Nola asked innocently.

"When Mommy gets sick, Daddy stays up all night to watch over her!"

The smile faded from my face.

The weak Mate Bond felt frozen and dead.

Yes, Julian had spent the whole night watching over Kierra.

A few minutes later, Julian called.

"Where are you now?"

"I'm at the hospital."

"Hospital? Well, good. I am at the hospital too. Come to the VIP room. Now."

With that, he hung up.

Ten minutes later, I appeared at the door.

I was in my hospital gown, and I felt weak.

"You are sick? Why didn't you call?" Julian frowned, looking at me.

"I'm OK. I can take care of myself."

"Aria, are you just trying to make me mad?"

Then, the pups ran out.

Issac froze when he saw me.

"Mommy... are you sick?"

Lara stood frozen, her eyes turning red.

"Mommy... why are you in the hospital too? Did my curse come true? No... I didn't mean it..."

"Thanks to you, I am sick, but still breathing."

The pups began to cry.

"Issac, Lara, what happened?" Kierra came to the door.

But she lost her balance and fell toward the floor.

"Kierra!"

The pups gasped.

They let go of my hand and rushed to Kierra.

Julian quickly caught her in his arms.

"You are sick, just stay in bed!" Julian held her tightly.

"I'm fine... I was just worried about Issac and Lara."

Kierra leaned against his chest.

"Aria, you're here too? I thought you were with that man last night..."

Julian stared sharply at me.

"You were with a man?"

"And, why were there herbs in your pajamas?"

"Yes! Mom! Kierra almost died because of it!"

I looked at the "family" hugging together.

"Because of you all."

"You used to say you loved the warm herb smell on me. That's why I put those Healer herbs into every piece of clothing I made for you. They help young pups grow. Alpha Julian, you smelled it countless times in our bed. How can you forget it?"

Julian turned furious.

"No matter what, Kierra got sick because of you. Give the painting your grandfather left you to her. Then, apologize."

My heart skipped a beat.

"What?"

That painting was the only thing left by Lance, my grandfather.

It was priceless, and it was my only link to my family.

Kierra saw it once and told Julian that she wanted it.

"Julian, if Aria likes that painting so much, maybe I'll just borrow it. It's just a painting..."

"That is my grandfather's gift to me, Julian! You have no right to give it away!" I shouted.

"Aria, watch your tone!" Julian roared.

"Mommy, Kierra said we must fix our mistakes!" Issac added. "It's just a painting. Why can't you just give it to her?"

I looked at my son. "Those are my pajamas. Whatever herbs I put in, I did so for me. Why was Kierra wearing them?!"

Issac went silent.

Lara was furious. "I don't care! You tried to poison Kerra! That's it!"

I didn't expect this.

I staggered backward and hit my head against the wall.

Suddenly, a warm little hand grabbed me from behind, holding me steady.

It was Nola.

The little girl blinked at me.

"Daddy said all pups love their mommies the most. So, don't be mad, they are just trying to protect their mommy."

I smiled bitterly. "Well, Nola, I am their mommy."

"What? Why?" Nola looked shocked.

Lara felt embarrassed.

She screamed and rushed forward to hit Nola.

I caught Lara's arm tightly. "Lara! What's the matter with you?!"

Lara began to cry loudly. "Mommy! You don't help me! You don't love me at all!"

Nola said bluntly, "But you helped that woman. She stole your mommy's pajamas. Do you love your mommy?"

"Shut up!" Lara shouted hysterically.

Issac yelled, "Kierra got sick because she wore Mom's clothes! So, it is Mom's fault!"

Nola asked, "So, did she force her to wear them?"

"No... Kierra wanted to wear them herself," Issac said.

Kierra froze, quickly turning her face away.

"Enough!" Julian let out a deafening Alpha roar and stared fiercely at me.