The Betrayed Luna: Rise Of The Phoenix

AURORA'S POV “Mummy!!” I had died, watching my husband and son, smiling with her."Wake up, Mommy! Daddy says we have a special guest coming today!" I heard Asher persistent voice scream.Was this what happens in the afterlife? Or perhaps had Asher…I felt his little hands shake me softly causing me to jerk upright, gasping for air. "Mommy?" I turned and was met with those familiar amber eyes—Asher's—staring back at me, wide with concern.Confusion swamped me as I looked around what was my matrimonial bedroom.What was going on?Perhaps I was living my past?"No," my wolf, Amber, answered.I was instantly startled.Hadn't Seraphina taken my essence along with my wolf in the surgery room?Right, the surgery room!My hands swiftly flew to my chest searching for the surgical incision, the very wound that had ended my life, for proof.But there was nothing, my fingers going over smooth skin beneath my gown."Are you alright, Mommy?" Asher was asking in a worried voice.No Asher, mummy

AURORA'S POVThe drive to the Shadowpine Pack clinic was short, and I sighed when I stepped into the space, which reeked of blood and antiseptic.I pushed through the front doors, used to the smell as I headed straight for my office."Aurora?"I turned back to see Dr. Lyra Montgomery, who had appeared beside me.Her honey-colored hair was pulled back into a ponytail I felt was too tight."You're here early.""I couldn't sleep."I dropped my bag on my desk and instantly reached for the stack of patient charts, grateful for the familiar routine."What do we have today?"Lyra studied me with the intense focus she usually reserved for complex diagnoses."Are you okay? You seem different."“How do? Different as in oh your test came back okay or you have just five day more to live different?” I asked her, forcing a chuckle.Her eyes didn’t leave mine as she replied, "Different as in, Luna Aurora resumed work this early after taking a break after Asher’s birth!”"Let’s just say, I was pulled

AURORA'S POV Elder Miriam's cottage was located at the edge of pack territory.I knocked on her door at nearly midnight with my heart pounding hard.My mind flew back to how I got here.“The test results are back,” Lyra had said as she closed the office door.She has come up to me and spread several papers across my desk. “Your instincts were right. There is magical residue in Asher's hair sample and in the herbs from that sachet.”I leaned over the documents with my heart thundering in my chest.“Dark magic?”“Yes but I have no idea how dark it is. One of the doctors said it's similar to a technique specifically designed to create dependency and transfer loyalty from the original bond to the caster.” “A bond?” I asked with wide eyes. She nodded.“But he is not sure. You'll have to take the papers to Miriam, the pack elder. She is in the best position to help you.”I swallowed.Was it that bad?“What if she…”“I'll speak to her,” Lyra interrupted me. “You just go there in person t

Aurora’s POVMy heart ached, and I stepped forward, but Alaric suddenly stepped between me and Asher, his gaze darkening.“Aurora, what did you give to him?’ He demanded, his voice tight with anger.My brows furrowed.“What kind of a question is that?” I asked.And of all things he chose to speak it in front of everyone, in front of the entire clinic.His eyes shimmered with intensity, a purple hue flashing.It took everything in me to not scream. Even if the dark magic Seraphina placed on him was affecting him, it didn't mean he should accuse me of such actions against our own son.“Just answer, Aurora,” Alaric stated. He pointed at Asher, still in Seraphina’s arms. Lyra had taken charge, had cleared the hallway of nosy staff and patients, but there were still people craning their necks to look at the Pack Alpha and Luna in a clear disagreement over their son’s health. And Seraphina? She was staring right at me, her lips curled into a near imperceptible smile. I knew she was enjoying

Aurora’s POVHer words were so well placed, sounding inoffensive at the first sound of it, but anyone with an ear of understanding context would know what she was trying to do.“I have a tight work schedule,” I replied simply, not even bothering with a defense.Alaric cleared his throat, and I turned my gaze towards him.“Seraphina is right, Aurora. Your main duty is here at home, not in the clinic. You can easily take a few days off,” He stated like it was nothing. It wasn't a suggestion, I could see it in his eyes and posture. It was a demand.“I cannot simply take off work that easily,” I responded, keeping my tone as curt and unemotional as possible. “Besides, Seraphina has it well in hand here, don't you?’ I glanced at her, the question making her blink in surprise.“I… um , well, yes,” she stammered a little, clearly having not expected I would turn things around on her. I could see the calculation springing up in her eyes, like she had just encountered something unexpected. Per