The Pack's Daughter (Aysel and Magnus) novel Chapter 337

Chapter 337

Author’s POV

The Ebonclaw Pack dining hall was unusually quiet that morning.

Alpha Alaric, Luna Zara, Kael Vale, and Scarlett had already taken their seats-but none of them had touched their food yet. For once, the usual clatter of silverware and forced pleasantries was absent.

When Riley finally emerged from the corridor, the atmosphere shifted. Luna Zara immediately stood, walking briskly toward her with a strained smile.

“Riley, you must be starving. Come, have some breakfast,” she said warmly, grabbing her hand and guiding

her to the table.

Alpha Alaric occupied the head seat. To his right sat Kael; to his left, Zara. Scarlett, as always, nestled close to her mother.

The only remaining seat was between Kael and Scarlett. Neither of them were welcome options, but if Riley had to choose, she’d rather sit beside Kael.

At least she knew his malice was honest.

Riley sat down silently, expression unreadable. She picked up her spoon and began eating the small bowl of dumplings in front of her-delicate wolfbone broth with wild herbs, prepared by Mia. She didn’t say a word. Didn’t look at any of them.

All four members of the Alpha family watched her.

Alpha Alaric’s eyes were hard, his jaw clenched tight, restrained only by Zara’s silent warning glance.

Zara, for her part, wore a tight, polite smile, clearly torn between managing appearances and managing the brewing tension. She opened her mouth, likely to remind Riley to greet her elders, but whatever she had planned to say died on her lips.

Scarlett, ever the peacemaker, tried a softer approach. “Sister, Mia made this especially for you,” she chirped, forcing a sweet smile. “Is it good?”

Riley didn’t reply. She didn’t even glance at her.

Kael drew a sharp breath through his nose, clearly struggling to keep his temper in check. His lips curled into a tight, disingenuous smile.

“Riley,” he said, voice low but tense, “when you’re done with breakfast, take that damn bandage off your head. You’re not actually injured. Walking around like that makes it look like someone in this house abused you.”

Riley’s hand paused slightly, spoon mid-air. The corner of her lips twitched-not in amusement, but in bitter contempt. Then she resumed eating, as if he hadn’t spoken at all.

She finished her meal quickly. After wiping her mouth with a napkin, she stood.

“I’m done,” she said coldly. “Enjoy the rest of

your breakfast.”

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Chapter 337

白

Finished

Kael slammed his palm on the table. “What the hell is your problem, Riley? Do you think we owe you something? You walk around with that miserable face like the whole Pack has wronged you.”

Riley turned to look at him, eyes like cracked ice-void of warmth or expression.

That look only enraged Kael further.

He stood, grabbed her arm, and with a sharp, angry gesture, ripped the bandage from her forehead.

“I’ll prove you’re faking,” he growled. “You’re addicted to playing the victim.”

The moment the gauze came off, the scab beneath tore open. Fresh blood gushed from the wound, sliding down Riley’s face in thin, crimson rivers.

The room fell silent.

Kael’s hand dropped like it had touched fire. His pupils contracted.

He hadn’t expected real blood.

Zara gasped, eyes filling with tears. “Riley… What happened to your head?”

Scarlett’s eyes gleamed for a heartbeat with something unreadable-satisfaction, maybe-but she quickly masked it with a frightened expression.

“Are you okay, sister?”

But Riley didn’t flinch. Didn’t cry out. Didn’t even blink. The blood streaked down her pale cheeks, soaking into her collar, but her gaze remained hollow, unflinching.

She looked at them like they weren’t her family at all.

Like they were monsters.

“Is this what you wanted?” Her voice was hoarse, distant. “Does this satisfy you?”

No one answered.

Alpha Alaric’s face didn’t even twitch. “It’s just a scratch,” he said gruffly. “No need to be dramatic.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Riley’s fingers curled around the edge of the table, knuckles white with pressure. The table creaked under her grip, threatening to buckle.

Kael, Scarlett, and Zara all immediately moved to steady the table-clearly remembering the last time Riley lost control and flipped it.

“Calm down,” Zara said quickly. “Your father didn’t mean it that way. He just-he just didn’t realize it was that serious. He cares. We all do…”

Even she didn’t seem to believe her own words.

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Chapter 337

3 Finished

Riley stared straight through her, gaze sharp enough to pierce bone. Zara looked away, unable to meet her

eyes.

The air was thick with tension.

Blood continued to drip from Riley’s head onto the tablecloth, bright and vivid against white linen.

“Care?” she echoed. “What a lovely word.”

She turned slowly, her voice quiet but soaked in contempt.

“Thank you so much for your concern, Alpha Alaric. Luna Zara. I’ll treasure it.”

Without giving anyone the chance to respond, she turned and walked out of the room.

Kael sat back down, jaw clenched. He shoved his bowl away, appetite gone. “I’m heading to the office,” he muttered, already storming out the front door.

Inside his car, Kael leaned back in the leather seat, staring at the blood-stained gauze in his palm.

Something twisted deep inside his chest-tight, unfamiliar.

Riley had left the house just fine yesterday morning.

But that night, she returned with a head wound.

What the hell happened?

He closed his eyes, mind flashing back to her pale face and dead eyes. His stomach churned.

She’s still my sister.

No matter what she did five years ago.

She’s still a Vale.

Hands clenching on the wheel, Kael finally reached for his phone and made a call.

“Ronan,” he said through gritted teeth. “Was it you? Did you hurt Riley?”.

There was a beat of silence.

Then came the voice on the other end-calm, emotionless, unreadable. “Is that why you called me?”

“I’m warning you,” Kael snarled. “I don’t care what she did in the past-she’s paid for it. She’s the daughter of Alpha Alaric. If you ever touch her again-”

Click.

Ronan hung up without a word.

Kael cursed and hurled the phone onto the passenger seat. “Fuck!”

FRY

26

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2

R

He sat in the car for a long time, jaw clenched, throat dry.

Finally, he started the engine and drove to the Pack’s central tower-but work was impossible. All he could see was her face. Her blood.

After nearly an hour of fidgeting and frustration, he picked up his phone again and dialed Mia.

“Mia. How is she? Did someone treat her wound? Riley… is she okay?”

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Kael’s POV

“Don’t worry, young Alpha,” Mia’s voice came gently through the phone. “I’ve already cleaned and dressed Miss Riley’s wound.”

“Mm.” My voice came out flat.

I hesitated for a second, then added, “Clear out my bedroom. Riley’s not staying in that damn storage room anymore.”

There was a pause on the line. Then her voice softened with relief. “Yes, young Alpha. I’ll get started right away. Miss Riley has truly suffered these days… it’s time she had a proper place to rest.”

I hung up.

My phone screen stayed dark in my hand for a long time.

She’s my sister. My blood. No matter how difficult she’s become, that bond still exists. Still matters.

She’ll understand this, won’t she? She’ll see I’m trying.

Maybe she’ll even smile again. Maybe things will go back to the way they used to be-when she’d bring food to my office without fail, no matter how tense things got between us.

Even when I snapped at her. Even when I defended Scarlett and hurt Riley in ways I didn’t realize at the time… she still came, lunch in hand, with that quiet little smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Luca would knock and say, “Miss Riley is here.”

I’d pretend not to care, keep typing like nothing happened.

But I always waited for her.

Always.

That memory sat heavy in my chest now, warm and hollow at the same time.

Maybe tonight, she’ll do it again. Mayb

she’ll see I’ve changed.

When the sun went down and the headquarters started to empty, I stayed. Staff filtered out one by one, footsteps fading into silence. I remained in my office, tapping at meaningless reports, checking the time every few minutes.

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