Chapter 10
Near midday, my surveillance rune flickered–Vivian had returned home.
She spotted a crimson card wedged into her door handle. At first, she moved to tear it up, but then, recognizing the sigil etched upon it, she tucked it quickly into her pocket.
I smiled. The trap was set.
Within days, she had thrown herself onto the healer’s table.
A double eyelid lift, nose bridge implants, cheek fillers, even lip enhancement–piece by piece she carved herself into a stranger.
Soon after, she vanished from across the lane, dragging her broken sons with her. Vivian believed a new face could grant her a new life.
But the card she had taken bore the mark of the Shadow–Brokers-the blackest lenders in the pack. Their interest was usury, their methods ruthless.
It was only a matter of time before their hunters came knocking.
Sure enough, not two weeks later, heavy fists rattled my neighbor’s door.
When no one answered, I opened my own.
“They’ve moved out,” I said smoothly.
The leader, a scarred brute with wolf eyes, narrowed his gaze. “You know where she went?”
I gave a slow shrug. “Not exactly. But I know where her mate’s parents still live.”
hatred for Edward burned
Their lips curled into savage smiles. I gave them the address of the Stone elders without hesitation. My hatr hotter than even my disgust for Vivian
A few days later, the Stones summoned me to a private dining hall.
Edward sat between his parents, all three plastering false smiles across their faces.
“Clara,” the elder woman cooed, “we’ve missed you
you dearly. Truly,”
I set my cup down with a clink “Spare me the sweetness. Say what you came to say.”
Edward bristled, but one glance from his father had him shrinking back.
His mother’s eyes filled with practiced tears.
“It’s that ville woman Vivian,” she whispered. “She borrowed from the Shadow–Brokers and n Edward half to death at our den. They swore they’d kill him if the debt isn’t paid. We… we had no one else to turn to.”
and now refuses to pay. Their enforcers beat
Her gaze flicked upward, searching for sympathy. “You’ve always been kind, Clara. Please, help him. He is Adrian and Lucas’s father, after all.”
I said nothing
The silence stretched until Edward slammed a fist the table.
“Don’t play innocent! If you don’t pay, I’ll go straight to the Academy and drag the boys out myself. See how proud they look when the truth spills!”
I couldn’t help it–I laughed Low at first, then sharp and ringing
“Truth? Ol, Edward. Who ever told
told you they were yours?”
They froze. Edward’s face drained white. “What… what do you mean?”
I leaned back, voice like velvet and venom
“That day at the Rising Banquet, I didn’t have time to finish. Adrian and Lucas aren’t your spawn. They were conceived through the Moon Temple’s blessing. My blood. My will. Nothing of yours runs through their veins.”
Silence swallowed the room. Then Edward roared, his voice cracking.
“You dare shame me like this? You bitch! You whore!”
I tilted my head, unbothered. “I knew from the beginning your true heirs were cursed. I kept it hidden because I wanted you to choke on hope. And now? Even Mira has miscarried. Edward Stone–you will die without an heir.”
Edward clutched his chest, his face ashen, sliding from his chair in a heap.
I stood, brushing imaginary dust from my sleeve.
“Ah, is the mighty Stone Alpha unwell? You’d best summon the healers. Quickly, before your line ends here tonight.”
With that, I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked out, laughter trailing in my wake.
