Mira stood by Kaelan’s side as the gates of the pack opened for Liana’s departure. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, and Mira’s heart twisted as she watched her sister prepare to leave. Despite all that had transpired between them, a part of Mira couldn’t let Liana go without trying to uncover the truth.
“Thank you for speaking on my behalf,” Liana said softly, her eyes filled with gratitude as she stepped closer to Mira. She surprised everyone by pulling Mira into a hug, a gesture that felt genuine and strange after everything they had endured.
Mira stiffened at first but allowed herself to relax. “Take care of yourself, Liana,” she murmured.
As Liana turned to leave, Mira’s voice rang out, halting her mid-step. “Wait.”
Liana turned, her brow furrowed. Mira took a few steps closer, her eyes searching her sister’s face. “Why did Father treat me differently?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “Why was I always the outsider? Aren’t we sisters?”
Liana’s expression shifted, the guarded facade slipping for a moment. Her eyes darted to the ground, and she hesitated. Kaelan, who had been observing silently, crossed his arms and leaned forward slightly, his curiosity piqued.
“I… I can’t,” Liana stammered, her voice breaking. She shook her head and looked away, her hands clenched into fists.
Mira stepped closer, her voice firm. “You know something, Liana. I deserve to know the truth.”
Liana’s shoulders sagged under the weight of the question. She opened her mouth, the beginnings of an answer forming on her lips, but before she could speak, a guard burst into the room, his breath coming in heaving gasps.
“Alpha!” the guard exclaimed, dropping to one knee before Kaelan.
Kaelan turned sharply, his attention shifting from the sisters. “What is it?”
“Word has reached us, Alpha,” the guard said, his voice tight with urgency. “The Alpha of SilverWare Pack… he has been assassinated.”
A stunned silence filled the room. Kaelan’s face darkened as he processed the news, and Mira’s heart sank at the guard’s words. Liana, who had been teetering on the edge of confession, now stood frozen, her face a mixture of shock and fear.
“Assassinated?” Kaelan repeated, his voice low and dangerous.
The guard nodded. “Yes, Alpha. Reports suggest the act was deliberate and… calculated.”
Kaelan’s jaw tightened, his protective instincts flaring. He glanced at Mira and then at Liana, who now looked pale and shaken.
“What could this mean?” Mira whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kaelan didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he turned to the guard. “Find out everything you can and report back to me. Dismissed.”
The guard bowed and quickly exited, leaving the three of them in uneasy silence.
Liana looked as if she wanted to speak, but the moment had passed. She shook her head, avoiding Mira’s questioning gaze. “Take care, Mira,” she whispered, before hurrying through the gates.