Chapter 142
Cora’s POV
They appeared one by one.
And the moment their eyes landed on me, they hurried forward without hesitation.
“Cora! My darling p>
Finished
The woman rushed straight at me and wrapped her arms around my body as if we shared some deep, loving bond.
Her thin, poorly made clothes brushed against my dress, rough fabric scraping against silk. And the smell -gods, the smell. Sweat, damp earth, and stale smoke clung to her like rot. It was enough to make my stomach churn.
This place was reserved for high–ranking wolves only. What possessed them to arrive here looking like that–wearing rags, hair greasy and unkempt, skin still smeared with soil as if they had walked straight out of the forest?
Instinctively, I recoiled.
“Don’t you dare touch me,” I hissed under my breath, making sure only she could hear.
But she either ignored the warning or simply didn’t care.
“Oh, Cora, my sweet niece,” she cooed fondly, squeezing my shoulders. “Look at you now. You look like a Goddess. ”
My skin crawled where her hands rested.
I lightly brushed the place she had touched, careful not to reveal my disgust too openly–because Thane was watching us.
“Cora,” he said with a gentle smile, “they’re your aunt, uncle, and cousin, right? It must have been a long time since the last time you all saw each other p>
I turned toward him and smiled sweetly.
But the moment my gaze slid back to the three strays standing before me, something cold and bitter twisted deep in my gut.
Relatives? Even if I lived a thousand lifetimes, I would never acknowledge them as such.
After Jax Stillward died, and whenever Vala had to travel for her duties, she would send me to their home on the outskirts of the Whitepine forest.
Home. The word almost made me laugh. It had been nothing more than a crumbling shack leaning against the trees. Yet Ulf and Scarlet always strutted around as if they were nobles owning some estate.
I would never forget those days. How they made me work from sunrise until long after the moon rose
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Chapter 143
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Finished
until my knuckles split and bled. They forced me to sleep in the barn with the livestock.
They dressed me in a rags dress while their own son wore decent clothes.
And worst of all, there was him.
Erik.
Their pathetic son.
An ugly, mangy stray who fancied himself a proud wolf. A boy foolish enough to believe his crooked face deserved admiration.
“Thank you, Thane. For… bringing them to see me,” I said politely to him.
I inclined my head slightly toward Logan and Isaac.
“Excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom p>
Without waiting for their reply, I turned and walked away.
But I had no intention of going to the restroom. Instead, I headed straight for the exit.
When suddenly, a hand closed around my wrist.
“Cora p>
My eyes flashed with rage as I turned–and came face to face with Erik.
“Cora, it’s me,” he said eagerly. “Erik. Do you remember me? We used to play tag and clean the stalls together p>
His smile stretched wide across his face, revealing crooked, uneven teeth that made my skin crawl.
“Don’t touch me with your disgusting hands,” I spat through clenched teeth.
Erik released my wrist immediately.
Hurt flickered across his face.
“Cora p>
“Enough,” I cut him off coldly. “I want nothing to do with you or your parents anymore. Don’t pretend we’re close. I’m not the same girl I used to be p>
He stared at me in stunned silence for a moment.
Then he gave a low chuckle.
“I can see that,” he said slowly. “You’ve changed completely. You’ve become so beautiful. Regal, even.” His gaze swept over me. “I even heard you’re going to become the Luna of Blackfang Pack soon p>
“Indeed.” I lifted my chin proudly. “So learn your place. You and your family are no longer worth my
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time p>
“You’re awfully arrogant now,” Erik said with a crooked laugh.
Then his eyes gleamed with something darker.
“Don’t be too proud just yet,” he murmured, stepping closer. “Because I hold your secret, darling p>
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.