Chapter 25 #2
The door slams open. The air in the room turns heavy, pressing against my skin. Footsteps follow, sharp and fast, heels clicking against the floor.
“Wake up, bitch.”
The blanket is ripped away, and I lock eyes with Lorraine. Fury burns in her stare. I freeze as she stands over me, lips pressed tight, breathing hard. Her gaze drops to my red, swollen eyes.
“I knew you were listening,” she says. “Hurts, doesn’t it?”
She throws a document onto my lap. My discharge form. My mouth opens and closes, searching for words that might fix this. Nothing comes. There’s nothing I can say.
“How was it?” she asks. “You must’ve had a good laugh behind my back.”
“No,” I say quickly. “I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did,” she snaps. “That’s what you always do.”
“I never…” I shake my head.
She studies my face, every inch of it. Her jaw stays tight, like she’s holding back something ugly. Then her fingers lift, twisting a few strands of hair beside my face.
“Must be nice,” she says quietly. “That big mansion. All those pretty dresses. Pure Alpha blood running through you, plus magic.”
She yanks my hair. I cry out as pain explodes through my scalp. My hands grab her arm, trying to pry her fingers loose.
“Let go,” I plead.
“The way your mother died protecting you from a rogue attack,” she snarls, teeth grinding.
“The way your father rushed to marry anyone who could play mom,” she continues, her voice sharp in my ear. “Everyone’s always protecting you.”
Her voice cracks. “And now you’re mated to our Alpha.”
I swallow hard, fear twisting in my chest, mixed with something that almost feels like pity. “Did you… were you sleeping with him?”
“Yes,” she says. “It’s been a year.” Her voice grows hoarse. “If only you would…” she goes quiet, “…disappear,” she whispers.
I gasp as both her hands close around my neck. Air vanishes instantly as her fingers dig in. My mouth opens, desperate for oxygen. It’s not new. But this time, her claws sink into my throat, sharp and merciless, and the pain is worse than ever.
“How dare she?” Mythril roars. “Let me out, Alexa. I’ll tear her apart.”
I grab Lorraine’s wrists, trying to break her grip. She doesn’t budge. Her arms stay locked, strong enough to block every breath I need. My eyes squeeze shut as silent groans escape my throat, no scream able to form.
“Say my name, Alexa. C’mon. Damn it, this stupid chain.”
I don’t know what else to do. The only sound left in my head is Mythril’s voice. My wolf. Half of my soul. My partner.
“Gabriel, help.”
My chest tightens even more. Tears spill from the corners of my eyes as my mouth opens wide, desperate for air.
“No. Not Alpha Gabriel. Mythril.”
“Mythril.”
“Yes,” my wolf squeals.
My right arm swells, thick black fur bursting over my skin. My grip on Lorraine’s wrist tightens. She freezes, stunned by the sudden change, just long enough to lose focus.
I rip my arm free and slam her body into the nightstand. The impact is loud, brutal. Lorraine screams as she collapses to the floor.
The clink of metal rings inside my head. Every time Mythril pushes against the chain, pain splits my skull, like something is pulling me in two directions at once.
I groan as the pain tears through my body. This time it’s worse. Stronger. Mythril’s fury surges, dragging me with it, forcing me to feel her rage as my own. I straighten up and glare at Lorraine.
“No,” she cries, scrambling backward. “Stay away from me, you freak.” Her whole body shakes. “How did this happen? Mrs. Geeny said your wolf was chained.” The shock on her face almost feels unreal.
“What the hell is going on?” Gabriel’s voice cracks as he bursts through the door. He stops short the second he sees me.
I blink, realization crashing over me. My breath catches as I lift my right arm. It’s still covered in black fur. One of my claws has torn through Lorraine’s dress, the fabric snagged and shredded. She was almost hurt. Almost.
“I…” My voice trembles. “I…” Mythril growls low in my chest.
“She attacked me,” Lorraine sobs, scrambling to her feet. “Help me.” She runs straight into his arms.
Oh Goddess. What did I do?
I look up at Alpha Gabriel. His mouth hangs open as he stares at me. At my transformed body. At everything wrong and unfinished about me.
Why are you looking at me like that? Are you scared of me?
“It’s okay, Alexa,” he says slowly. “Mrs. Geeny can handle this. She’ll fix everything. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
He swallows hard. His lips twitch into a tight, awkward smile. That’s when I crumble, sinking to the floor as my sobs finally break free.
* * *
Back to present day
Since that cursed blessing ritual, Mrs. Geeny came every single day for a full week. Without me realizing it, she tampered with my memories, slipping in lies so smoothly they felt like truth.
She made me believe my father died quietly in his bed from a heart attack, not because my own hands had taken his life. She also erased the memory of nearly killing Lorraine in the hospital.
After another full week under Mrs. Geeny’s influence, the incidents blurred and then vanished.
I forgot them entirely. Still, fragments lingered, sharp and out of order, resurfacing at random and leaving my mind in chaos for the next six years.
The memories never fit right, like broken glass that refused to form a picture.
But one thing remained clear, even through the fog. Lorraine and Gabriel had betrayed me.
Now, after taking full control of Mythril a few days ago, everything rushes back. Every memory, good days, and grim nights. Every truth I was forced to forget. It’s all just brutal clarity.
And even after everything I’ve done, every mistake I’ve made, Gabriel still wants my power. Mrs. Geeny still clings to her belief that I am the Supreme Luna from her book.
The irony almost makes me laugh.
“So, that’s it?” Gabriel says, his voice rising as disbelief flashes across his face. “You turned me down because you were jealous of Lorraine?”