Chapter 4
Her father’s face stiffened, the Alpha power in his eyes flickering momentarily.
His past proclamation of banishment had returned like a rogue wolf’s curse, tearing at his own pack bonds. The Moon Goddess had a way of making Alphas taste their own bitter declarations.
The once–proud Alpha lowered his head in supplication: “The Pack Healer says Winter’s wolf spirit is failing. Her blood weakens. Only your blood can sustain her until we find a heart donor. You must return with me for the blood ritual.”
Watching him plead this way only made Ravenna’s heart ache more bitterly.
Never had she seen her father humble himself for anyone–Winter truly was the precious jewel of
his heart.
And wasn’t it the same for everyone else? Alpha Valdrin, young Ash–didn’t they all worship Winter like a sacred moon?
The thought brought moisture to Ravenna’s eyes.
Very well. I’ll agree. But I have conditions.”
“I want my place in the pack restored, and I want all of Winter’s pack shares returned to me.”
Her father’s eyes turned to ice. “Ravenna, don’t push your luck.”
“These are my terms. Accept them or leave.”
After a long silence, her father yielded.
Ravenna was roughly dragged to the pack healer’s den, her weakened body stumbling against the stone walls. Having gone without food all day, her vision swam.
Her father paid no attention, racing through the territory to the healing grounds, practically dragging her to the blood ritual chamber.
The young healer, seeing Ravenna’s pallor, asked kindly: “Your wolf seems weak. Should you rest and take sustenance first?”
But her father snapped impatiently: “Beglu now!”
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Chapter 4
This private healing ground had been established with her father’s influence–his word here pack law.
The healer, frightened, hastily prepared the ritual tools.
e was
As the sacred silver needle pierced her skin, Ravenna felt the world spinning. The fever from her illness, combined with hunger, made each drop of blood drawn feel like poison. Halfway through, her breath grew labored, her head lolling to one side.
The healer cried out in panic: “We must stop! Any more could kill her!”
Her father’s face turned ugly.
He feared consequences–not of Ravenna’s death, but of losing Winter’s blood source.
“Fine. Use what we have.”
Ravenna was moved to the healing chamber. She had lost consciousness completely, her wolf spirit dim and fading. Time passed in a haze of fever dreams.
Suddenly, a she–wolf burst into the chamber, her claws raking across Ravenna’s face as she howled in anguish: “This is your fault! How dare you play weak when your sister needs you! That pitiful
amount of blood is worthless!”
The pain jolted Ravenna awake to find her mother’s tear–stained face, features contorted with rage.
She grabbed Ravenna’s ceremonial robes, her claws tearing at the fabric: “Why did the Moon Goddess curse me with twins! If only Winter had been my only pup!“.
“You’re a curse upon our bloodline! Even in the womb you stole Winter’s strength, leaving her wolf heart weak. Now when she needs your blood to live, you put on this pathetic display. Do you truly wish your sister dead?!”
Each word was like silver through Ravenna’s heart, poisoned with years of hatred.
Even Ravenna, who had never shed tears before the pack, felt ice cold trails down her cheeks.
She had heard these accusations throughout her life.
Simply because she and Winter were born as twins, because Winter’s wolf heart hadn’t formed properly-
Everything was blamed on her. They claimed she had stolen Winter’s life force in the womb.
No one in her family loved her. Her mate and pup despised her. She had been born carrying the weight of a curse.
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