The Pack's Daughter (Aysel and Magnus) novel Chapter 425

Chapter 425

Third Person’s POV

Finished

Truth be told, Riley was stunning-truly breathtaking. But the years of abuse and neglect had carved deep shadows into her soul. No matter how carefully she smiled or how still she stood, the self-doubt inside her always managed to seep through her pores, like a lingering scent of fear no shift could hide.

More than once, when the Matriarch of the Duskgrave Pack showed her kindness, Riley’s expression would flicker with a haunted look. As if she wanted to say: I don’t deserve this.

And anyone else-any rogue orphan or broken omega-wearing that look might’ve seemed pathetic. Small. Weak.

But not Riley.

Duke, Alpha Lucien’s second-in-command, had seen what she came from. Knew the scars beneath her skin. And after learning the full breadth of her story-from the betrayal of her family to the five years locked away for a crime she didn’t commit-his only response was a quiet, burning ache in his chest.

She had survived.

She had clawed her way back from ruin with nothing but grit and grace.

Now, the Matriarch and Alpha Lucien had given her a place. A home. And Duke? He believed she would only rise higher from here.

He stepped forward and gave her a respectful bow, gesturing toward the door like she were royalty. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, now held genuine warmth. A silent promise: We serve those who have survived fire.

Riley’s throat tightened.

There was no mockery in his gaze. No pity. Only pride.

And that made her eyes well up, a thin sheen of emotion blurring the world around her for just a moment.

So this is what it felt like-to be protected. To be treasured.

She drew in a slow, deep breath, steadied herself, and lifted her chin with renewed confidence.

She was no longer the omega pup cowering in the Family Vale dungeon.

She was the woman Alpha Lucien had personally entrusted to the pack.

She walked toward the waiting black Lycan SUV parked just outside the manor, her long gown brushing softly against the marble floor.

Duke quickly stepped behind her, lifting the hem of her dress so it wouldn’t snag or drag.

The driver stood ready beside the vehicle, white gloves immaculate, and opened the door with practiced elegance. He even held a hand above her head to shield her from the doorframe-an instinctive act of deference reserved only for the most honored females of the pack.

1/3

Chapter 425

Finished

Just behind them, Andi stood at the doorway, arms crossed, his expression a whirlwind of mock jealousy and admiration.

“Little she-wolf’s got all the luck,” he muttered under his breath. “Spoiled like a Luna on her coronation day.

Riley didn’t reply. She slid into the back seat, smoothing the front of her gown. But the moment her eyes scanned the car’s interior, she froze.

The inside of the vehicle was… pink.

No, not just pink-soft, fluffy, impossibly plush. It was like the interior had been doused in moon-blushed. velvet.

Even the front passenger seat was wrapped in faux fur, embroidered in silver thread with the words:

“Riley’s Seat.”

And there, dangling from the rearview mirror, was a charm-a photo of her sitting in the Duskgrave sunroom, sipping tea in the afternoon light. She hadn’t even noticed someone had taken that picture.

She looked so peaceful.

So happy.

Her throat clenched as she ran her fingers lightly over the fluffy cushion beside her. It was soft, warm- exactly like the affection tucked into every thread of it.

Her thoughts flicked to another memory, darker and distant.

The first time she’d stepped into Kael’s car after being released from prison. It had reeked of his precious adopted sister-Scarlett’s perfume on every seat, her designer bags tossed casually in the back. Riley had sat there in second-hand jeans, the humiliation thick in her lungs like smoke.

Back then, she never imagined she would sit in a car that smelled like her.

Like home.

Duke, sensing her silence, turned slightly from the front seat, his tone light but sincere. “Everything you see was arranged by the Matriarch herself. Do you like it, Miss Riley?”

Riley’s eyes shimmered again.

Of course it hadn’t been Lucien’s doing-he was far too composed for soft-pink fluff. But the fact he allowed it, even encouraged it, spoke volumes.

“I love it,” she whispered, running her fingers along the silk-lined armrest. “It’s perfect.”

Her hands fluttered to her lap, brushing the soft fabric of the gown she wore. This was the first time in her life she had ever worn something so delicate, so expensive. A far cry from the threadbare dresses she used to borrow from shelters or the uniforms she wore in prison.

She no longer looked like a forgotten pup trying to survive in a world too cruel for innocence.

2/3

Jail

Chapter 425

Now, she belonged.

Just as Riley was about to close the door, Duke turned and called toward the manor.

“Andi! Let’s go!”

Andi made a dramatic face. “Ugh, why would I girl?”

#Finished

willingly witness Lucien being all starry-eyed over another

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