I looked at Thorne with a deep, gnawing disappointment. Once, I had marveled at his features, seeing them as a living work of art. Now, his face filled me with nothing but disgust.

Just as Thorne was about to speak, Morgana interjected, her voice dripping with faux distress. "Alpha, I’m feeling dizzy again, and my cheeks are throbbing. Can you check if they’re swollen?"

Thorne’s gaze shifted immediately to her, his concern palpable. Morgana, seizing the opportunity, collapsed into his arms with an exaggerated sigh. The handprint I had left on her pale cheek was a stark reminder of the fury I felt.

Tears welled up in Morgana’s eyes as the Alpha gently wiped them away, his touch tender and familiar. I remembered when he had shown me such kindness. In our younger days, he would have helped me up if I fell and comforted me in a similar way. Now, those gestures of affection felt like a distant memory.

His expression had hardened, replaced with a chilling coldness. "Aria, apologize to your sister."

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. "No."

Thorne was visibly taken aback by my defiance. In the past, when he had held contempt for me, I had been careful in his presence, trying desperately to win his approval. Despite my genuine affection for him, it had always seemed insufficient, overshadowed by Morgana’s presence.

Looking back, Morgana’s animosity towards me was no secret. From our childhood, she had resented me for being the more capable one, a feeling that only intensified when I received the Moonstone, an heirloom she had long wanted.

When she discovered my growing affection for Alpha Thorne, she started showing him affection as well, but I had never anticipated her return to Silverclaw to disrupt my life further after her fated mate’s death.

Thorne was only surprised by a few seconds and he settled back on the couch, still cradling my sister. His voice cut through the tension. "Aria, don’t make me angrier."

The wolf guards, summoned by Thorne’s mind link, appeared and stopped me from going. They escorted me back to face Thorne and Morgana, their presence imposing and cold.

Thorne lounged on the couch, his posture relaxed, but the air was thick with tension. He looked at me with an almost casual disinterest. "Apologize to Morgana."

Morgana’s smile was a mixture of triumph and challenge. She turned to my mate, her voice soft and placating. "It’s alright, Alpha. Aria didn’t mean it."

Upon hearing that, Thorne looked at her with pity. "You’re too soft-hearted. Even though you’ve always been kind to her, she’s never seen you as her sister."

His gaze turned icy as he addressed me. "Anyone who hurts Morgana will pay the price."

Thorne’s intention was clear: he wanted to make me suffer. He signaled to the guards, who moved to force me into a kneeling position. As I lowered my head, Thorne’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. Meanwhile, one of the guards stepped forward, hand raised, ready to strike.

Morgana, however, intervened. "Alpha, she’s still my sister. I’m afraid the guards might hurt her too much. If anyone should teach her a lesson, it should be me."

At that moment, Thorne nodded in approval. That was when Morgana raised her hand and slapped me twice, her nails leaving sharp, painful marks on my cheek.

My sister looked at Thorne with a conflicted expression. "Alpha, I’ve hurt Aria. What should we do now?"

However, Thorne’s response was cold and dismissive. "She deserves it. You’re too kind, worrying about her even though she hurt you first."

The guards finally released me, and I collapsed awkwardly to the floor. Thorne’s gaze remained unwavering as he looked down at me. "You owe Morgana an apology."

Owe her an apology? It was Morgana who had belittled my son! She claimed my baby was lying! Cassian would never be a liar! Yet this good-for-nothing Alpha always took her side, no matter the circumstances.

I glared up at him, my voice thick with bitterness. "In your dreams!"

"I hate you, Alpha!" I shouted.

As I stared at Alpha Thorne, my eyes were devoid of any trace of affection, replaced instead by a deep, seething hatred. His brow furrowed in response, clearly unsettled by the intensity of my gaze.

"Aria," he said, his voice attempting a note of reason, "just do as you're told, and you can have whatever you want. We can celebrate your son's birthday, just as you wanted."

The words felt hollow and mocking. What was the point of such a celebration now that Cassian was gone? My mate had already made his choice clear, prioritizing Morgana over our son. The entire pack knew it—Thorne had always preferred my sister's company at banquets and public appearances, leaving me isolated and disrespected as Luna of Silverclaw.

Now, with Cassian’s death, he was using the promise of a celebration as a tool to manipulate and coerce me. It was a sickening attempt to lure me back into submission, exploiting my grief for his own convenience.

I fought to keep the pain from showing on my face as I met his gaze. "No need, Alpha. We’re done. I’m leaving this hellhole, just as you’ve always wanted. Enjoy your dream life with Morgana."

It seemed my departure was beyond Thorne’s comprehension. His sneer betrayed his disbelief. "What? Not coming to me, pretending you need me to play with your son anymore?"

His tone was dripping with scorn, a fact not lost on me. Before I could respond, Morgana interjected, her voice laden with feigned innocence. "Aria, stop deceiving our Alpha. If Cassian were really dying, why would you be here alone?"

I could no longer contain my fury. "Shut up! You have no right to speak of my son."

Morgana’s face fell, hurt masking her satisfaction. "Alright, I won’t mention him again. Don’t be mad at me, Aria."

The Alpha's irritation was palpable as he witnessed my hostility towards Morgana. With a cold chuckle, he pulled out his phone and dialed Beta Yuriel. To ensure I heard every word, he put the call on speaker.

"Beta Yuriel," Thorne said, his voice commanding, "find out where my son is. Bring him to me."

He looked at me with a self-satisfied smirk, as if this action would somehow reassert his control over the situation.

I managed a bitter smile, the dreariness of my situation washing over me.

Beta Yuriel’s voice crackled over the speaker, hesitant but clear. "Alpha… Cassian passed away days ago. It happened the day after you left the territory with Morgana."