29
It had been a month since the Shadowpine Hospital incident that left scars I wasn’t sure would ever fade. The memories still haunted me, replaying in the quiet moments when my mind wandered.
He’d instructed me to come alone, and I obeyed, leaving Elias behind. I went in my wolf form, prepared for whatever awaited me. But the moment I arrived, the pungent scent of mountain ash hit me like a wall, halting me in my tracks. I couldn’t get close, no matter how much my instincts screamed to push forward. I paced outside, growling, my wolf restless and angry.
Then Amber arrived.
I snarled at her, baring my teeth, ready to tear her apart. My wolf’s rage surged, clawing at my Amber did something unexpected. She dropped to her knees.
resolve, but then
“Please,” she begged. “You have your life now. Just let Jester be with me. I will take care of him. He has no use for you, so just give him to me.”
Her words stung, though I couldn’t explain why. “Why can’t I smell your wolf?” I demanded through mindlink. Amber’s gaze dropped to the ground, shame clouding her features. “Because of my banishment and his
rejection, my wolf has left me. But I promise to take care of Jester with all my heart.”
I hesitated, my wolf still growling, but something about her sincerity pierced through my defenses. “Then go inside,” I said coldly. “You’ll be able to enter since you have no wolf.”
She didn’t hesitate. Without a word, Amber rushed inside. Only later did I realize the truth: Amber had consumed my blood to mimic my scent. She had done it all for Jester.
The next day, news spread like wildfire. Jester and Amber were trapped in the deepest part of the Shadowpine well. Elders whispered of the Moon Goddess’s wrath and warned against repeating the mistakes of the past. The well’s entrance was sealed, cemented over to ensure no one could reach them.
1:40 AM
well’s enlliance was sedieu, cemented over in ensuit no one could reach them.
Now, a month later, I was on a medical mission in one of the palace’s packs. Peace had been restored, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling of incompleteness that stayed in my chest. The pieces of my life felt scattered, and no matter how hard I tried to move forward, something always pulled me back
As I worked, I glanced over at Elias. He stood with his warriors, his presence commanding yet kind. When our eyes met, my heart pounded so hard. I turned my gaze away, my heart conflicted. Elias had been nothing but kind to me, treating me as though I truly belonged in the palace. He made me feel safe, seen, valued. But this wasn’t my life. This wasn’t my identity. I was Mauve, not Magnolia.
That night, I found myself in Magnolia’s room, as I often did. She lay there, as beautiful as ever, untouched by time but unresponsive
“Please, Magnolia,” I whispered, taking her hand in mine. “I’m begging you. Come back to us. Please wake up. Come back to your husband. Don’t be selfish and leave him alone in this world. He needs you more than ever!”
I squeezed her hand. In my mind, I added words I couldn’t bear to say aloud. Please come back before I eventually fall for your husband.
As I gripped her hand, a faint glow emanated from her skin. Panic surged through me, and I pulled away, staring at her in shock. I wiped my tears hastily and left the room.
Later that night, a knock at my door startled me awake. I checked the clock–3 a.m. Who could it be at this hour?!
opened the door to find Elias standing there
“May I come in?” he asked softly.
I stepped aside, nodding, and closed the door behind him. “Why are you here?”
He hesitated, then said, “You need to know the truth.”
My stomach twisted. “What truth?” I asked nervously.
Elias’s gaze bore into mine. “Magnolia isn’t your doppelganger. She’s your twin.”
The words hit me like a thunderclap, I staggered back, shaking my head. “No. That’s impossible.”
“It’s true,” Elias insisted. “After I left your house that day, I searched for answers. I used all my resources and found out that Magnolia had a long–lost sister. And it’s you.
I wanted to deny it, to argue, but the certainty in his eyes silenced me. “I was born and raised in Shadowfang.” I said weakly. “I’m the only daughter of my parents.”
Elias shook his head. “I researched Shadowfang’s history. Your mother gave birth to twin girls, but because of a superstition about twin alpha daughters being a bad omen, they gave Magnolia to their beta. That beta is one of my elders here at Redwood.”
He placed a folder on the nightstand. “It’s all in here. The proof. The records. Everything.”
I opened the folder with trembling hands. As I read, tears
Treamed down my face. Happiness and sadness battled within me. I had family. A twin sister. But she was comatose, clinging to life. And the guilt…the guilt of my growing feelings for her mate was unbearable.
“There’s more,” Elias said, stepping closer to me.
My heart pounded. I couldn’t take any more information, but I had to know the truth. “What else?”
Elias raised my chin with his fingers and forced me to look into his eyes. “Identical twins share a mate. Since you’re Magnolia’s twin, you’re also my mate.”