Chapter 56

**ADAM**

"You know what? Screw you all." She says annoyed. Looks like the water I just gave her did her good. "Yes, I organized the attack on the palace and it wasn't hard to find allies. A lot of werewolves aren't big fans of your community. You're unnatural." She pauses. "And then, I got tired of her having everything so when I heard you three were going to jump ship... well I had ambitions for David to take Austin's place but the fool didn't even want it." She says with disgust. "Honestly, it's all your fault. If she'd just been with Austin, I'd have taken it on myself but this was too much." She sniffs. "What's next... huh? They're going to be just like you too... monsters! Even if you kill me you'll still be threatened. There's a bunch of people out there just waiting for an opportunity to eradicate you." She laughs maniacally. "Now all three of you are in the same basket."

I get up without a word, put the chair back in its place in the corner and turn off the light before walking out.

"She's completely lost it." Austin says to me as I walk out the door. We hear Riley yelling from the other side of the door.

"She killed my dad and she went after my sister. I'm going to kill her!" Cassisus says but I stop him as he moves forward, grabbing his arm.

"We still need her and we can't do this now..." I leave my sentence hanging.

"Fuck!" He shouts, running his hands through his hair.

She looks so small in that bed and I can't wait for her to get out. It's a good thing Cassius is there with her, because when the doctor drained the wolfsbane from her system he was able to transfuse her immediately.

I'm calm on the outside, but in reality, if it were up to me, Riley would already be six feet under. Unfortunately, we need to get the exact list of everyone involved in the plot from her, and I think we owe it to Aria to decide her fate and take care of it herself.

**ARIA**

I feel the wind on my hair as I swing on the swing behind our house. When I turn around, Mom has a big smile on her face as she pushes me higher and higher. When I go back my long hair is on my face and it makes me giggle. Mom laughs too, her long white dress fluttering around her. Dad calls to her from the terrace and she trots off to join him. He takes her in his arms and they kiss. I feel pure happiness and serenity, a feeling I'd like to experience for the rest of my life. As I climb down from the swing to join them, I hear Cassius's voice in the distance, but I can't make out what he's saying. I turn my head but can't see him anywhere. The closer I get to my parents... the further away they get. Where are they going? Why are they leaving without me?

My vision seems to blur and Cassisus' voice becomes clearer. "Come on, little sister, I still need you... Everyone thinks you need me the most, but it's really the other way around. Dad knew that..."

I see nothing but pitch black. I try desperately to open my eyes, but I can't. I can't! I sink into sleep.

"Is it normal that she's not awake yet?" Adam asks.

"You know with Aria I think we can conclude that we don't know much. Her vitals are good, but she's lost a lot of blood. She needs time..." I drift off to sleep again and the palace doctor's voice disappears.

"I think we need to wake up." My wolf says.

"You're back." It's not a question. I couldn't feel her anymore.

"Yes... I've regained my strength. It's time for us to come back."

I try to open my eyes slowly; the room is plunged in darkness, which is just as well because I think my eyes would have suffered from the brightness. I recognize Austin's hair on the bed to my right.

He is sitting on a chair with his head resting on the bed on his arms. I hear the door creak and see Adam slowly enter the room. He hasn't noticed that I'm awake; I open my mouth but feel that it's very dry. He sits down on a chair on the opposite side from Austin and takes my hand in his. I squeeze it gently to let him know I'm awake.

He raises his head suddenly, looking at me, and I squeeze his hand again. "You're awake." He tells me and sniffs.

"Thirsty." I tell him simply.

He stands up hurriedly which wakes Austin. "You're awake." He tells me before kissing the top of my head. "We were so afraid of losing you." He takes my hand and squeezes it hard.

Adam quickly returns with a tall glass of water. "Here, drink it slowly." I take a few sips at a time, taking my time. They both stare at me and have one hand on me each.

I hand the glass to Adam, who takes it back. "Thank you."

"Feeling better?" Austin asks me, and I nod.

I'm awake but I still feel weak. Adam sets the glass down and turns on the light, which burns my eyes. When he sees me wince, he turns it off and opens the door to let in the light from the hallway.

"I've told the doctor you're awake, she'll come and see you right away." I nod again.

The memory of what happened crashes into me all at once. "The baby. How is the baby?" I ask them, placing my hand on my belly.

They exchange a look and I know the answer to my question. "I'm sorry... the baby... the baby didn't make it." Adam replies softly without looking at me.

My baby... I lost my baby.