Chapter 3

My gaze was icy as if I was looking at two strangers. The look in my eyes didn’t sit well with Kaden.

“Blake’s talking to you. Are you deaf? Talia, the fact that you’re my mate doesn’t give you the right to act out.”

Samantha emerged from behind Kaden and Blake with a pup in his arms. She snapped the brothers a pouty look before reprimanding, “Don’t be rough to she-wolves. You need to be gentle.”

She nodded at me, adopting an air of sweet understanding.

“Don’t get upset with them. They are never the type to be sweet to she-wolves. I’ve told them off so many times before.”

The brothers kept their heads down in compliance like two tame pups.

“Alright. We’ll let it slide this time. We won’t make an issue out of it.

“If you and Lucia wish to keep the Luna title, you’d better stop the fits. You should take lessons from Samantha on how to be a gracious Luna.”

I shook my head, my voice raspy and low.

“I could care less about being a Luna.

“If Samantha is doing a great job, she’s welcome to take my place.

“Please leave. I’d like to spend this last bit of time with my sister.”

Kaden could not believe his ears.

“What are you talking about, Talia? What has Samantha ever done to you? Why do you and your sister have it out for her?”

Blake was furious.

“Where is Lucia? How long is she going to stay in hiding? Is she not going to stop you from running your mouth?”

“Lucia is dead! She’s gone!” I broke down and cried while pointing at Lucia’s ashes.

“She’s there. I lost my pup too. I’ll be dead along with them in two days.”

Blake stopped dead and glared at the urn containing Lucia’s ashes in disbelief.

“What did you say? Lucia’s dead? That’s impossible.”

He reached his hand out shakily to touch the container nestled among the roses.

However, Samantha was one step ahead of him.

She snatched the urn, pried the lid off, then dumped the charred bone fragments and ashes out.

“This is bogus. It’s not our custom to practice cremation.

“Why did Lucia’s remains turn black anyway?

“I bet they dug up the bones of some mutt to fake it.”

I dropped to my knees with a shriek while desperately saving what was left of my sister.

Samantha’s foot came down hard on my hand before I could get close to the ashes.

The charred remains were pulverized into grit under Samantha’s heel.

Samantha stomped out the last trace of Lucia right before my eyes.

“There. Now, you can’t pass these bone fragments of a mutt as hers.”

Blake glanced at the ashes on the floor in disgust.

“Talia, we see right through you and your sister’s little games.

“We won’t put up with your behavior anymore.

“The Blood Rite of Samantha’s pup will take place the day after tomorrow. Consider this your final chance.”

He looked up at me callously.

“You and Lucia will perform a blessing on the pup as Lunas.

“Enough with the tantrums, or Kaden and I will strip your titles away.”

With that, Blade and Kaden held Samantha and escorted her out with utmost care.

Blood burst through my lips as I coughed violently. Pieces of my shattered insides spilled out with the blood, splattering across the ashes on the ground.

Not even stopping to wipe the blood, I gathered Lucia’s remains through my tears.

As I worked, blood dropped from my eyes, nose, and ears.

I knew that it was the silver poison at work. I wouldn’t live to see another day.

How would our mates react if they found out that Lucia, my pup, and I were dead?

All at once, I was overcome by a sense of calm.

After retrieving Lucia’s ashes, I arrived at the Dark Forest and located the most beautiful final resting place.