Aurora’s POV

Alpha Keith stepped forward quickly, forcing a smile toward the guests. His voice was strong, as if trying to steady the scene. “Please don’t misunderstand. Aurora has been through a lot, but she is still a member of the Silver Moon Wolf Clan.”

Then his eyes shifted to me. He leaned close enough that only I could hear. His words were low and sharp. “You should have considered your family. If you have AIDS, you should have told them beforehand.”

The words cut through me like a blade. My back stiffened. My reply came out cold and sharp. “I’ve had a physical exam. I am healthy.”

His gaze hardened, his jaw tight. “You’re lying,” he spat.

Before I could respond, Helen’s soft voice rang out. She stepped forward, her expression gentle, her tone sweet, crafted for the audience. “I’m not worried about whether Aurora has AIDS or any mental illness. She is my family. I’ll accept her no matter what.”

Gasps and whispers circled through the crowd. To them, her words sounded generous, selfless. But I saw the glint in her eyes. Her kindness was another dagger aimed at me.

I clenched my fists. My face was calm, but my voice cut through the noise. “If there is doubt, then let the Wolf Clan doctor examine me here.”

Keith’s head snapped toward me. His lips curled. “Fine.” His eyes went distant as he used the mental link. Within moments, the Wolf Clan doctor approached the stage, carrying his bag.

The doctor glanced briefly at Keith, then at me. He asked no questions before beginning his examination. It was quick, too quick. When he stood, his voice carried across the room. “She is sick.”

The whispers grew louder, crueler. Guests shifted away from me, their chairs scraping back. Some laughed under their breath, others sneered openly.

Helen lowered her gaze in feigned sadness, her lips trembling. Then she looked at me, her voice filled with false sympathy. “I knew this would happen.

Aurora, don’t lie anymore. Having HIV is not scary, but you cannot be selfish and hide it from our parents. You need to think of others.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Helen, still playing tricks.” My eyes locked on hers. “One doctor’s word means nothing. I demand that other doctors examine me.”

Melissa’s voice cut in sharply. “That’s enough, Aurora. Stop embarrassing us further. Your sister is only worried about you.”

Frank’s voice followed, harsher. “Stop this nonsense right now.”

I straightened my back. I hadn’t wanted to cause a scene, but his tone, the disdain in his voice, lit the anger inside me. If they wanted humiliation, I would not hide anymore.

I spoke clearly, my voice cold. “The Silver Moon Wolf Clan always operates this way. After all, Luna Melissa decided long ago that I was ‘stronger than Helen.’ So she begged me to take the blame for Helen, turning me into a murderer. In this wolf clan, there is no such thing as truth.”

The room fell silent. Guests stared at me, stunned, their eyes wide.

Luna Melissa gasped loudly, clutching her chest. Her knees bent slightly, and she leaned against Frank as though fainting. “Aurora…” she whispered weakly, her voice breaking, her performance perfect.

I stepped forward. My voice rose, sharper now. “Five years ago, Luna Melissa knelt in front of me. She cried and begged me to take the blame for Helen.

She said the suffering in the mental hospital was something I could get used to. She sent me there like trash. That is the truth.”

Keith’s face burned red. His voice became loud. “Shut your mouth, you filthy liar!” He cursed at me.

Frank’s face was twisted with anger. “This is your fault. You never disclosed your medical history to us. How dare you come here and disgrace the family?”

My lips curled in a cold sneer. “My medical history? How would you know? Did you care when the dark witch in the mental hospital paralyzed me with magic.

She cut my calf with a cursed silver knife, and stabbed my wrist to sever my tendons? You never asked. You never cared.”

Gasps echoed from the guests again. I turned my head, looking at them directly. “Keith told me this was a welcome banquet.

But look around. The invitation clearly said it was Helen and Beta James’s engagement party. It was never for me.”

Murmurs rose, stunned and uncertain. Heads turned, guests whispering fiercely to one another.

Keith’s face drained of color. He could not speak, his lips pressed tight, his fists trembling at his sides.

My chest felt heavy, but my voice stayed even. “I knew from the start. I was only an afterthought at Helen and James’s engagement party. ”

My parents only care about Helen. My return is nothing. I was never the Alpha’s daughter of this family. My expectations were nothing but a laughable fantasy.

I stepped back, turning to leave. My body trembled, but I would not show weakness.

Before I could descend the stage, a deep voice interrupted. Alpha Gray rose from his seat, his tone steady and commanding. “I brought a doctor with me. He can examine her.”

Frank stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “Why interfere, Alpha Gray? This is our family matter.”

Gray’s gaze cut toward him. “There is no need for doubt. My doctor will check her.” His words were firm, his tone leaving no space for argument.

His doctor stepped forward immediately, professional and precise. The examination was thorough this time. After several minutes, the doctor stood straight. “She has neither HIV nor any mental illness.”

The room erupted with shocked gasps. Some guests lowered their heads, ashamed of their earlier words. Others whispered frantically, trying to make sense of the reversal.

I let the silence stretch, then turned to step off the stage. My heart pounded, but my face stayed cold.

At that moment, Helen moved. She walked toward me, her gown glittering under the lights. Her steps were careful, calculated. Then suddenly, she turned sharply and collided into me.

Pain shot through my body instantly. My injured leg gave way, and I crashed to the floor. My elbow hit hard, my leg twisted, and the pain was excruciating.

But the reaction around me was not for me.

Alpha Frank rushed forward toward Helen. “Helen, are you ?”

Melissa grabbed her daughter’s hands, panic in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

Keith shouted angrily, his face red. “Can’t you watch where you’re going? Be careful!”

All three of them surrounded Helen, their concern overflowing. Not one of them looked down at me, not even for a second.

I lay on the floor, the throbbing pain spreading from my elbow to my leg. My vision blurred. I stared at the polished wood under my hands, at the guests who looked on with pity or disdain.

If humiliation was what they wanted, I would not fight it. Since they enjoyed it so much, why should I care about their dignity?

My sleeve slid back as I tried to push myself up.

And I inadvertently revealed the horrific scars left from the bullying.