Two days had passed since Aella's tragic end, and each second felt like an eternity. The world outside my grief continued as if nothing had changed, but inside me, a storm raged. I had buried my daughter beneath the ancient trees of our territory, whispering promises to the wind that I would protect her memory. My heart felt hollow, consumed by despair, yet Aspen roamed the halls of our home, blissfully unaware of the tragedy that had befallen us.

Then came Aspen, storming through the door like a thunderclap, his expression a mix of fury and confusion. “Where is Aella?” he demanded, his voice sharp enough to cut through the fog of my sorrow.

I looked up from where I sat, surrounded by the remnants of Aella’s things. Her favorite scarf lay crumpled in my hands, its warmth a cruel reminder of what I had lost. “She’s not here, Alpha,” I replied, my voice strained and weary.

Aspen’s brows knit together in frustration. “What do you mean? Ember is convinced Aella caused her allergic reaction! I need to know where she is so I can—”

“Punish her?” I interrupted, unable to contain the anger boiling beneath my grief. “You think Aella would do something like that? How can you even consider it?”

He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing, oblivious to the truth that gripped my heart. “I don’t care about your emotions right now, Artemis. I need to keep my pack safe. Ember is not just anyone; she’s my fated mate!”

Fated mate. The words felt like daggers, slicing deeper into my wound. “Your fated mate?” I echoed, bitterness lacing my tone. “What about our daughter? What about the family we were supposed to have?”

Aspen's face hardened. “You know how it is—pack first. Aella’s actions could put us all at risk.”

“Actions?” I nearly spat. “You’re still clinging to Ember’s lies while your daughter is out there, possibly in danger! She would never do this!”

A flicker of confusion crossed his face. “What are you talking about? Where is she?”

“Do you even care?” I shot back, the flood of emotions threatening to drown me. “You’re so wrapped up in Ember’s drama that you’ve forgotten about your own flesh and blood!”

“A flesh and blood that could be a threat!” he countered, the Alpha in him flaring, but I could sense a crack in his confidence.

“I swear, Alpha, if you don’t stop believing Ember’s manipulations, you’ll lose Aella forever!” My voice cracked, the finality of my words hanging in the air.

Aspen stood before me, fists clenched, his eyes blazing with misplaced fury. “You’re defending her! Aella almost put Ember’s life in danger, didn’t she?” His voice echoed off the stone walls, a twisted accusation that made my blood boil.

“Danger, you say?” I shot back, incredulous.

“Ember isn’t even allergic to peanuts! This is just another one of her games, and you’re too blind to see it!”

Aspen’s jaw tightened. “Don’t try to twist this, Artemis. Ember is suffering, and our daughter was the last one with her. It’s too coincidental!”

“Coincidental?” I scoffed, my voice rising. “You think she would purposely hurt someone? Aella would never do that! She’s just a child! Your precious Ember is the real threat here, using her false allergies to pit you against your own family.”

Aspen’s expression darkened, the flicker of doubt I had hoped to see snuffed out by his anger. “You’re only saying this because you want my sympathy. I can’t trust you anymore. You always find a way to manipulate situations to your advantage.”

“Manipulate?” My heart raced, the pain in my chest threatening to suffocate me. “You think I’m lying? Our daughter is dead, Aspen! She died because of Ember’s lies!”

“Dead?” His eyes widened, confusion mixed with disbelief. “What are you talking about?”

“The rogues! They attacked her when she was scared and lost, trying to get medicine for your damned fated mate! She’s gone!” I fought to keep my voice steady, but the anguish slipped through, a raw edge to my words.

He stepped back as if struck, his mind racing. “You’re lying,” he said, shaking his head as if willing my words to disappear. “This is another one of your ploys to gain my sympathy. You’ll do anything to keep me away from Ember!”

“Anything?” I echoed, incredulous. “Aspen, I would never lie about this! She’s gone! I held her in my arms! Don’t you understand?” My voice cracked, the weight of my grief crashing over me like a tidal wave.

But Aspen stood firm, his gaze hardening. “You think I’ll fall for your tricks again? Locking you up was the only way I could protect my pack from your lies!”

“Locking me up? You think that’s what I deserve?” My anger flared. “You’ve lost your way, Alpha. You’re so wrapped up in Ember’s manipulation that you can’t see the truth right in front of you!”

He turned away, pacing the room, the conflict within him palpable. “I can’t let you manipulate me. I won’t.”

“Fine,” I said, my voice low and fierce. “Lock me up. But know this: Aella is dead because of Ember, and you’ll have to live with that choice. You’re choosing her over your own daughter!”

In a swift motion, Aspen crossed the room and gripped my arm, dragging me toward the door. “Enough!” he shouted. “I can’t let you do this. You need to think about your actions.”

“Think about my actions?” I was nearly screaming now. “What about Aella? She’s the one who’s gone! You’re more concerned about saving face than finding the truth!”

Aspen’s face twisted with frustration. “You’re not in your right mind, Artemis. I’m doing this for your own good.” He shoved me into the small room that served as a makeshift cell, slamming the door shut behind me.

“Let me out!” I banged on the door, desperation clawing at my throat.

But my words fell on deaf ears. I heard his footsteps retreat, and the sound of his heavy heart echoed in my mind. The silence that followed was suffocating, the reality of my situation crashing down on me. I sank to the floor, my back against the cold stone wall, tears streaming down my face.

In that moment, I realized how alone I truly was. The pack I once called family had become a prison, and the man I had loved was lost in a haze of loyalty to a woman who sought only to destroy us. Grief twisted into something darker, igniting a fire within me—a determination to uncover the truth and avenge my daughter.