My Alpha's Ninety Three Lies

After half a month of recovery in the neutral zone, I was finally starting to feel human again.

Harrison had reached out once through our mind-link, but after I didn’t respond, he went silent.

As the day to meet my mother drew near, I forced myself to return to the pack's territory to gather my things.

But the moment I pushed open the door to our home, I stumbled into the middle of a party.

Harrison and his friends froze, their faces a mixture of shock and irritation. I’d clearly just crashed a private welcome-home party.

Harrison's face twisted with uncertainty, but he still strode forward, his brow furrowed.

“Elara, I reached out through our mind-link. Why didn't you answer?”

My gaze drifted past him to the girl standing behind him—Victoria Blackwood.

Long hair, a white dress, the picture-perfect image of a future Luna.

When she caught me staring, Harrison rubbed his nose like a guilty pup.

“Victoria came back earlier than expected,” he muttered.

“Since I just ‘recovered,’ I didn't want to make a big deal of it. It’s just a small welcome party. You’re not really going to throw a fit over this, are you?”

I clutched the hem of my dress.

For the five years I was with Harrison, Victoria had always been a shadow between us.

Just hearing her name was enough to make my wolf restless.

But now? None of it mattered.

I gave a slight nod.

“Welcome back.”

“Don't let me interrupt. I’m just here to grab a few things.”

My composure seemed to unnerve Harrison; a deep frown creased his brow.

He used to bring up Victoria’s name just to get a rise out of me, to watch my inner wolf thrash against my control.

But now? I was too calm, and it clearly caught him off guard.

As I turned to leave, Victoria’s voice, dripping with false fragility, cut through the room.

“Elara, I forgave you for what happened back then a long time ago. Why are you still being so cold? Won't you stay and celebrate with us?”

Of course, Harrison couldn't stand to see her upset.

He grabbed my arm, pulled me to the table, and pushed me into a seat.

“Victoria said she doesn't blame you, so stop acting like a ghost and keep her company.”

The moment I sat down, his inner circle crowded around me.

“If you’re truly sorry, Elara, you’ll drink this!”

I almost laughed at how predictable they were.

They knew how weak I was after the ritual, yet they handed me a drink laced with wolfsbane. How utterly vile.

The old me might have deluded myself into thinking this was their twisted way of showing they cared.

I shoved the glass away.

“The healer said I can’t drink.”

“Oh, come on. A little bit won't hurt!”

They ignored me, grabbing my arms and forcing the liquid down my throat.

The wolfsbane burned through my insides. I choked, coughing violently.

As I tried to back away, someone shoved me forward—and my face slammed into a silver platter.

A sharp, searing pain shot through my cheek.

A chorus of mocking laughter erupted around me.

I finally pushed myself up, my face wet.

Through my blurry vision, I looked down—and froze.

It was a platter made of pure silver.

Victoria was practically doubled over, breathless with laughter.

One of the men looked at me without a hint of remorse.

“Sorry, Elara. Who knew your face would be so clumsy and run into it on its own?”

Someone muttered that I deserved it, and then they all burst out laughing again.

I wiped the liquid from my face, choked back my fury, and prepared to leave.

But Victoria wasn't done.

She grabbed a handful of my hair, her eyes glinting with triumph, and waved the others over.

“Elara's upset! Let’s help her wash her face so she won't go complaining to Harrison.”

They all grinned as if it were just a big joke and rushed toward me.

Icy panic seized me.

I couldn't breathe.

When I was a child, I was kidnapped by a rival pack. Because I wouldn't stop crying, they held my head underwater, and I nearly drowned.

Ever since, the feeling of being submerged has been my nightmare.

No matter how much I fought, Victoria dragged me to the bathroom.

They twisted my arms behind my back and forced my head into a tub filled with water.

The icy water, laced with the bitter scent of wolfsbane, rushed over me, suppressing my wolf. I screamed, choking and gasping for air.

They just held me down tighter, laughing as if it were a twisted game.

“Scrub her clean! A vile woman like her doesn't deserve to be here!”

My vision blurred, and darkness began to close in.

I was seconds from passing out when Harrison's voice cut through the chaos.

“Enough! All of you, stop!”

They released me instantly, and I collapsed to the floor, coughing and trembling.

Harrison walked over and brushed the wet hair from my face.

“I'm sorry, baby. You must have been so scared.”

I pushed his hand away, my voice hoarse.

“I'm fine.”

Ignoring his feigned look of hurt, I turned and retreated to the bedroom.