Rory's POV
Today was one of the few peaceful nights I've had in a long time. No dreams. No visions. No haunting memories. Just sleep—and the quiet joy of finally knowing who I am: a she-wolf born with a male wolf spirit.
As I sat up in bed, I felt Aerie stirring awake inside me, our bond humming with shared peace.
"Good morning, Aerie," I said with a smile.
"Good morning, Selene," he replied, unusually cheerful. "Why do we feel… happy today?"
I chuckled. "No idea, but it feels nice, doesn't it?"
He gave a mental nod. "It's probably because we've finally been accepted as a werewolf. Different—but stable."
I nodded, feeling warmth in my chest.
Then came a knock at the door.
"Come in!" I called.
To my surprise, in walked the blonde woman—the same one who had dragged me from the restroom on my birthday. She carried a tray that smelled like tea and bacon.
"You?" I said, stunned. I hadn't seen her since waking up in this kingdom, preparing for the Trial.
She smiled and set the tray on my bedside table before motioning to sit next to me. I hesitated but nodded.
"You seem happy today," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, still unsure whether I should trust her.
"Oh, come on. Is that any way to greet your aunt?" she said with a wink.
Aunt?
"Yes, Rory," Aerie said calmly. "She's your aunt. A close friend and sister-figure to your mother. She's not a stranger."
"I know it's shocking," the woman said, reading my silence. "You're probably wondering how an aunt could take you from the human world… and hurt you with silver. That's why I'm here—to apologize."
She picked up the tray again and gently placed it on my lap. The aroma of warm tea and sizzling bacon made my stomach growl.
"Rory," she said softly, "I didn't mean to hurt my own niece. But you were… making my job difficult. I needed to get you here safely."
Her words made me pause.
"Aerie… what's silver?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"It's a werewolf's greatest weakness," he replied. "It can weaken or even kill us if used in the right way."
My eyes widened in shock. My own *aunt* had used that on me?
Suddenly, memories came flooding back—my birthday, the locked restroom, the first time I heard Aerie's voice, the fight at the door. And then the vision: a dark-haired woman sitting on a throne, declaring she would wipe out the entire werewolf population.
How had I forgotten something so terrifying?
"Rory? Are you okay?" my aunt's voice broke through my thoughts.
I blinked and forced a smile. "Sorry, I was just… lost in thought."
"Yeah, I figured. Now eat," she said with a smirk. "Take this as a peace offering from your aunt."
I hesitated, then nodded. "Okay… I forgive you."
Her face lit up with relief. "Thank you."
She stood and brushed down her dress. "Alright, I'll leave you to your breakfast."
"Wait," I said, "where's my mother? I thought I'd see her this morning."
She paused. "You mean Elizabeth? Well… she's the Luna of this pack. Since your father died, she's had to take on a lot. She's away at an important meeting. It's nothing for you to worry about, my love. She'll be back soon."
I nodded slowly, though something felt off.
"She's lying," Aerie said firmly.
"What do you mean?"
"I can feel your mother's presence. She's here. Somewhere in this pack."
I stared at the door as it closed behind my aunt.
*Why would she lie to me?*
"I don't know," Aerie said. "But we need to find out."
I picked up the teacup, the warmth doing little to stop the cold suspicion curling in my chest.