Episode 7

Kath slowly opened her eyes. The sunlight pierced through, blinding her for a moment. She looked up and realized this wasn’t her room. Kath immediately jolted in surprise.

"Kath, are you alright?" Anna’s voice beside her pulled her attention away from the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Where am I?" Kath asked, feeling disoriented by the place she was in.

"The royal infirmary. The Alpha brought you here," Anna replied plainly.

"So… the Alpha brought me here?"

"Hmm." Kath fell silent, stunned by the revelation that it was the Alpha who had rescued her. Usually, that man couldn’t even stand being near her.

Suddenly, someone entered the room, drawing both Kath’s and Anna’s attention. It was the healer.

"Healer, is there something wrong with her?" Anna hurried over, worry etched across her face.

"Miss Kath has a minor fracture in her leg, but I’ve prescribed herbal medicine for her recovery," the healer said reassuringly, easing Anna’s anxiety.

"Oh, and you’ll need to help Miss Kath practice walking so her bones can heal properly," the healer added before leaving the two of them alone.

"What happened to you? How did you fall off that cliff? You’re lucky you got caught on the edge!" Anna scolded, her tone filled with concern.

To be honest, Kath herself didn’t understand how she was still alive how she had managed to get caught on the cliff’s edge after Keona, Blaire, Alexa, and the pack’s children had pushed her off. Her life truly felt cursed.

"I—" Kath lowered her head.

"Blaire and Alexa pushed me off the cliff," Kath said sadly. Why did her life have to be filled with such misery? Her sister had already stolen her life now even her mate.

"I knew it," Anna muttered.

"It was Keona who ordered them."

"Keona? How could that be?" Anna jumped to her feet, shocked. Keona was the mastermind? By the moon goddess how could the world be so cruel to someone as undeserving as Kath?

"Keona is behind everything. She’s the one who turned the whole pack against me. She’s also wanted Zach from the very beginning." Kath lowered her head, tears streaming down her face.

"That’s insane," Anna said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I’m going to teach them a lesson." Anna’s anger boiled over she couldn’t stand seeing her best friend suffer anymore.

Anna was far braver than Kath, who was always too gentle, too easy to hurt. If Kath hadn’t stopped her, Anna would’ve already gone after Keona, Blaire, and Alexa. But Anna loved Kath too much to disobey her.

"Don’t, Anna. Please," Kath pleaded, grabbing her hand.

"And what? Let them keep hurting you?" Anna snapped, frustration thick in her voice. Her patience had reached its limit.

"There will be a time when everything is revealed," Kath said softly. Her words made Anna pause, holding back her rage.

Neither of them noticed someone eavesdropping outside the room. The figure clenched their fists tightly, their expression darkening.

***

Now, Kath was walking with a cane in her left hand. Her leg was still injured from the fracture, but she was determined to recover.

Even though many people continued to ridicule her, Kath endured it all. Sometimes the urge to end her own life felt stronger but she kept going, for Zach.

"Take it slow," Anna said gently, guiding her friend, who struggled to keep her balance.

"My waist still hurts, Anna," Kath muttered weakly, wincing as she limped forward.

"I can feel your pain, Kath," Anna said, pity filling her tone as she watched her best friend suffer.

"Come on, let me help you," Anna said, steadying her arm.

"Do you want to practice walking in the garden?" she suddenly suggested. Perhaps walking in the garden would be more pleasant. Kath agreed right away.

"Aren’t you curious why Keona did that to me?" Kath asked mid-walk.

"I just feel sorry for you. If I asked, you’d only relive the pain again," Anna replied gently. She didn’t want to make Kath sadder.

"Hmm, you’re right. By the way, is there even a garden here?" Kath asked, genuinely curious. It always seemed like this kingdom was surrounded by nothing but forest.

"Of course. There’s a beautiful flower garden," Anna said, making Kath’s eyes brighten with imagination.

"How come I didn’t know there was a garden here?"

"Because you’ve always been too busy serving your sister instead of spending time with me," Anna teased. Kath nodded, acknowledging the truth.

"Are we almost there?"

"You must be getting tired. Sit here for a while I’ll fetch some water for you," Anna said, helping Kath sit under a tree before heading off.

When Anna didn’t return for some time, Kath decided to try walking on her own. At first, it was difficult.

But once she managed to stand upright, a sharp pain shot through her leg, and her body began to fall only to be caught once again by a pair of strong arms. 

Elsewhere, three people were talking, pleased with their success in carrying out their plan.

"I finally got rid of her," Keona said with a smirk. Her plan to eliminate her sister had succeeded no need to dirty her own hands.

Keona smiled triumphantly. She had manipulated the entire pack even her own aunt. Now, nothing stood between her and the Alpha.

"You’re right, Keona. That girl is dead," Blaire said beside her.

"So now, no one can come between you and the Alpha," Alexa added, making Keona smile sweetly.

"Of course. He’s mine," Keona said, her tone dripping with pride.

"Wait—stop," Alexa said, halting Keona and Blaire as she noticed something strange ahead.

"Kath?!" Blaire’s eyes widened in shock.

"She’s still alive???" Alexa stumbled backward, terrified.

"Don’t tell me she’s a ghost!" Alexa squealed.

"Stop spouting nonsense, Alexa," Keona snapped, brushing off her absurd words.

There, in front of them, stood Kath wrapped in Zach’s arms, her own fiancé. The sight made Keona’s blood boil. Her eyes narrowed sharply, fury flooding her chest.

"How could she still be alive? By the moon goddess, I curse you!"