Chapter 2

A small, worried voice called through the reinforced door.

I lifted my head with tremendous effort.

A little face appeared at the small window in the center of the door. Two blonde braids framed worried brown eyes.

Aria Ravenclaw. Marcus's baby sister.

At only eight years old, she was the unexpected late blessing of the former Alpha. Eighteen years separated us in age, but I'd loved her like my own daughter from the moment I'd joined this pack.

"Sister-in-law, you look terrible! Your face is white as snow, and there's so much blood..."

Her voice cracked with genuine concern.

"Did big brother and Elena hurt you? I... I was hiding by the door earlier. I saw what they did. Sister-in-law, does it hurt really, really bad?"

Tears pricked my eyes.

Since mating with Marcus, I'd spent countless hours with this little girl. I played with dolls with her, read her stories. When she fell down, I hurt more than anyone else.

She was attached to me too, always saying sister-in-law smelled the nicest and was the gentlest.

Compared to my always perfectly made-up sister, she was clearly closer to me.

I glanced down at my phone, where the emergency message was still trying to send, the loading circle spinning endlessly.

I looked up at Aria's expectant face. The message might not go through from here, but if she could get the phone to an area with better signal...

This might be my only chance.

"Aria," I whispered, my voice raw and broken. " I need you to help me. Can you take my phone somewhere with better signal?"

Aria's little face scrunched up in concentration.

"I want to help, but what if someone sees me? Papa says I shouldn't touch grown-up phones."

Please, Aria. Just take it to the main hall where the signal is stronger. You don't have to call anyone - just let my message send.

She pressed closer to the window, her breath fogging the glass.

"Okay, give me your phone and I'll help you."

My phone lay beside me, but the door was at least three meters away. In my current state, poisoned and bleeding, I couldn't even lift my head properly, let alone reach that distance.

The tiny flame of hope that had sparked in my chest flickered and nearly died.

I tried to drag myself toward the door. Immediately, a tearing sensation ripped through my abdomen, and I couldn't stop the agonized groan that escaped my lips.

Cold sweat broke out across my forehead again.

"Sister-in-law, hurry!" Aria's voice grew more frantic. "Give me your phone! They might come back soon!"

Her urging became more and more frantic. The severe pain and panic seized all my thoughts.

I didn't have time to think.

With the last of my strength, I hurled my phone toward the door.

"There," I gasped, collapsing back against the chamber wall. "You can reach it now, Aria."

Relief flooded through me as I watched her small hand stretch through the window opening.

"Thank you, Aria. Quick..."

But instead of the urgent movement I expected, Aria held the phone and suddenly looked up. Her face showed a triumphant smile.

She raised her wrist to a pink children's smartwatch and shouted clearly and excitedly.

"Elena! You were wrong! I totally got sister-in-law to give me her phone!"

My blood turned to ice.

"You promised to take me to Dream Castle this weekend! No take-backs!"

Elena's sickeningly sweet voice crackled through the tiny speaker.

"Our clever little Aria! Of course I keep my promises. We'll go right after my pup is born!"

The world tilted around me. Everything I thought I knew shattered in that single moment.

Aria looked directly at my horrified expression and giggled, waving my phone like a trophy.

"Sister-in-law, you're so gullible! This was way too easy!"