Chapter 118 The One to Blame
Aelira’s POV
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After ending the call with Daelor, a heavy weight that had been pressing on my heart dissipates. My
wolf stirs restlessly within me just as my phone rings again.
Betty Prynn. My aunt. My mother’s younger sister.
“Hello, Aunt Betty…” I say to begin.
“Aelira, what’s the matter with you?” she reprimands. “Your brother has been in the hospital for days;
why haven’t you visited him yet?”
I am taken aback. “You’ve come to the Northern Territory?”
“Of course I’ve come!” she snaps back. “My nephew is severely injured; someone needed to be here for
him!”
“How can you be so unfeeling as a sister?” she continues. “My elder sister died due to the distress
caused by your actions. We have only your brother left in the Prynn and Sunmere families, and yet you abandon him in the hospital!”
The guilt crashes into me like a physical force. My chest constricts painfully.
“Aunt, I attempted to see him, but he didn’t want my presence,” I clarify.
“That’s just him expressing anger!” she retorts sharply. “And when he says not to come, you just don’t? What sort of sister are you?”
“I’ll head there immediately,” I respond softly.
“Good!” she exclaims.
When I arrive at Aethervale Hospital, I spot Aunt Betty, Uncle Rulian, and Cousin Maria gathered around Jornic’s bed. They are chatting and laughing, their scents blending in the sterile air of the hospital.
However, the moment I step into the room, silence envelops the group. The mood shifts abruptly, as if
I have intruded upon a private gathering. Their tension is thick with unspoken feelings.
“Hello, Aunt Betty, Uncle Rulian,” I greet them.
Aunt Betty nods, while Uncle Rulian offers a fleeting smile.
I direct my attention to Maria. She simply pouts and turns away, engrossed in her mobile phone,
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<Chapter 118 The One to Blame
completely disregarding my presence.
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I set down the two bags filled with moon berries and healing herbs on the bedside table.
“These should aid in your recovery, Jornic,” I say.
My aunt’s face softens as she inspects the healing items.
“Aelira, your brother’s injury isn’t going to heal quickly,” she observes. “Why don’t you arrange for a VIP
single room? That would provide him with more comfort and allow him to focus on healing his wolf
properly.”
I glance at Jornic dispassionately. He swiftly looks away, avoiding my gaze. The scent of his wolf
reveals his unease.
“I can organize a VIP single room,” I reply slowly. “But only if Jornic tells me exactly what happened for him to be beaten. I’ll set it up right away.”
Aunt Betty’s face brightens; she looks at Jornic with anticipation.
Jornic frowns. “I’ve already explained everything. I simply had an accident. I wasn’t beaten by anyone.”
His lie is evident. I let out a scoff and turn back to my aunt.
“Aunt Betty, it’s clear my brother refuses to tell the truth. Therefore, there’s nothing I can do to assist
him.”
Her expression falters. She gently strokes Jornic’s hand.
“Child, why are you hiding this? Anyone can see from your face that you’ve been badly hurt! Please, tell us the truth. Your uncle and I will help you seek revenge!”
Yet, Jornic remains silent.
I take out my phone, my fingers hovering over the screen.
“Alright, you won’t tell me, will you?” I say. “Then I’ll call Draven Cook right now and directly ask him
why he hurt you like this!”
Jornic’s eyes widen in fear. He scrambles off the bed, hopping on one foot as he lunges toward me.
“What are you calling for!” he yells.
My aunt shouts, “Jornic! Watch your foot! Be careful! Don’t fall!”
She rushes to steady him.
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Taking advantage of his injury and my aunt’s grip on him, I bolt into the hallway with my phone in hand. My wolf’s agility proves advantageous.
Held back by our aunt’s arms, he can only watch me helplessly.
“I’ll tell you!” he finally yells. “I’ll tell you everything! Just hang up the phone!”
I hang up the call and make my way back to him.
“Go on,” I demand. “Is there anything else you’re concealing from me?”
Jornic presses his lips together, his gaze flickering to the phone I’m holding.
After a moment, he drops his gaze and exhales deeply.
“I–I didn’t do much, really,” he starts. “I just submitted a report letter to the Unified Land Registry…
“A report letter?” My heart constricts. “What exactly are you reporting?”
“It… it was about evidence showing that the Cook Pack was breaching territorial boundaries and
conducting illicit activities in neutral zones…”
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It feels as though a jolt of electricity courses through me. My heart turns cold. My wolf wails in
anguish within me.
“You… are you completely out of your mind?” I whisper. “What made you think that was a good idea?”
The Cook Pack’s reputation has already been ruined due to similar violations of pack laws. Their
territory has been taken, and the pack has been scattered.
But it was my brother who triggered that report!
It feels as if he has handed over the silver dagger himself, allowing them to deal the final blow to the
Cook Pack!
Now, I can only think that Draven Cook choosing to merely injure my brother, rather than ending his life, is a sign of mercy for what amounts to pack treason!
“It was Cyrinne Wynthor who kept pleading with me,” Jornic argues. “She insisted the Cook Pack
wouldn’t let her go… I didn’t realize she was already mated to Draven at that time…”
Tears well up in his eyes.
“Aelira, what should I do now? How can I make this right?”
“You’re asking me how to handle this?” I retort. “When I inquired earlier about what you were hiding, why didn’t you come clean?”
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“I… I…” he stutters.
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I take a deep breath, realizing that even if Jornic had been truthful from the start, it wouldn’t have changed the situation.
He has breached the most fundamental laws concerning pack territories. I understand the severity of
his offense!
I even think that Draven Cook merely breaking his leg is a lenient punishment for such a grave infraction of werewolf law.
“Aelira, you have a strong rapport with Daelor Briarhallow,” Jornic states suddenly. “And with his high status as Alpha King, he must have a way to assist me!”
“Why are you bringing up Daelor?” I frown.
I already owe Daelor far too many debts. My brother’s predicament is serious, entangled in pack politics and violations of territorial law.
How could I bring myself to ask him for help again?!
“Isn’t that Alpha King interested in you?” my brother presses, seizing my arm.
“He always listens to you. If you just approach him, he will surely help me untangle this mess!”
“Stop talking nonsense!” I snap, pulling my arm free.
“I will do my best to help you navigate this situation and mediate with the Cook Pack,” I reply. “But if
mediation fails…”
I lower my voice.
“You’ll need to face the consequences of your own choices!”
“If mediation doesn’t work, Draven said he would kill me!” Jornic exclaims, his voice quaking.
His entire body now trembles.
My heart tightens as I ponder if he is exaggerating or if Draven Cook genuinely intends deadly
retribution.
“Don’t panic just yet,” I say, striving to sound composed. “I’ll approach Draven Cook first. There’s always some way to resolve things…”
Jornic understands that there is no one who can assist him now except for me. His desperation
renders him compliant.
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“Alright,” he whispers. “I’ll do whatever you believe is best.”
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Since my aunt’s family has hurried to the Northern Territory and lacks accommodations, I originally planned to reserve a hotel for them.
However, they express a strong preference to return to my place at Myrthale Residences.
“We’re not accustomed to hotels,” Aunt Betty explains. “We’d only need to stay for one night before
departing tomorrow, anyway.”
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I can’t deny their request. It’s simply one night, and with three bedrooms in my apartment, it will be
manageable.
Consequently, I drive them to my building, maneuvering through the underground parking garage
before waiting for the elevator.
“Aelira?” a familiar voice calls from behind.
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I turn around, my heart racing at the sight of Daelor Briarhallow making his way toward me. His Alpha
scent is unmistakable.
“Daelor?” I respond with surprise. “What a coincidence.”
Daelor’s silver–gray eyes wander over the group behind me.
“This is…” he inquires.
“My aunt and uncle’s family are here for a visit,” I clarify. “They’re only staying for one night, leaving
tomorrow…”
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Daelor steps closer.
“Hello, Uncle and Aunt. I’m Aelira’s friend, Daelor Briarhallow,” he offers his introduction.
“Ah! Nice to meet you,” my aunt stammers, clearly acknowledging his Alpha King status.
Daelor glances back at me, his eyes warm.
“Would you like to have dinner? I’d love to treat everyone and properly welcome your aunt and uncle.”
