Chapter 80

Elliot’s POV

After we found the imposter Silver in the forest and then we found the real Silver, I asked Charlotte to investigate with the gammas, using her abilities, to try and find out where they had taken Silver, to begin with. But once I realized that Silver’s appearance had been taken, I mindlinked her and asked her to investigate that as well.

Charolette couldn’t control her visions, but the Moon Goddess was on our side, and I knew that she would give Charolette the proper visions to help close this case and save the pack. It’s what the Moon Goddess had wanted. I knew Charlotte would be able to help and when she mentioned Crimson and that there was a way to reverse it, I wanted to wrap my sister in a hug and twirl her around.

I knew she didn’t trust Silver; she already explained the reasoning behind her distrust. It was because of the prophecy she had years ago. But Silver wasn’t a danger to this world; I truly believe that the one destroying our world was Silver’s twin brother and that’s why Charolette only saw one child in that vision and not both. Silver wasn’t a destructive person; she was quite the opposite. She was the definition of good; she was healing. I believe she’s the key to keeping the world safe, not destroying it.

But I also understand why my sister was wary of her. I’m hoping that’ll change once everything comes to light, but for right now, my focus is on keeping my wife and pack safe.

“Lucky for you, I already have the cure,” Charolette surprised me by saying. “I make this every full moon and I carry it with me everywhere. I knew it would come in handy one day.”

She reached into her large bag and pulled out a clear jar with crystals wrapped around the edges. Inside the jar looked to be water, but it glistened as she held it up for us to see.

“Is that Moon Water?” Erik asked, stepping towards it in wonder.

Charolette’s grin widened.

“Yes, indeed,” she answered. “Splash this on her face and it’ll reverse the Crimson effects.”

“Does it work right away?” I asked.

“It should,” she answered.

She twisted the cap of the jar and opened it. She dipped her fingers inside the water, getting them soaked. Before I knew it, she was splashing the water onto Silver’s face. Silver staggered backward shocked, and my wolf surged forward in fury as I glared at my sister.

“What the hell, Charlotte?” I growled, nearly losing control.

Silver just looked confused as she wiped the water off her face with the cloth Erik had given her.

Charlotte studied my wife for a moment, her eyes perplexed, like she was waiting for something.

“Explain yourself,” I said through my teeth, losing what little of my patience I had left.

She just shrugged and turned to look at me.

“I had to make sure,” she said simply. “It turns out she actually is the real Silver.”

“I wasn’t doubting that,” I said in a growling tone.

“Maybe you weren’t but I was, Little Brother,” she said, condescendingly patting my chest. “Where’s the imposter?”

“At the palace,” I answered, trying to calm my angry wolf.

Silver wrapped an arm through mine and pressed herself close to me, sensing that my wolf was on edge. I immediately calmed down, even if she still smelled like a rogue, her presence was enough to soothe my wolf. I realized he knew from the very beginning, even if she smelled like a rogue, that this was the real Silver. He never had a doubt and I immediately felt guilty for silencing him all night.

“We should go there then and find out who the imposter is,” she said as she put the cap back on her jar.

I nodded and turned to look at Silver. I didn’t want to leave her side, but I also didn’t think it would be safe for her to travel around right now. Besides, she needed to get some fluids in her and rest so she would be strong for whatever came.

As if she could read my thoughts, she gave me a sweet smile and kissed me gently on the lips.

“I’ll be here when you get back,” she assured me.

I nodded and kissed her deeply, wanting to taste her; even if she smelled like a rogue, she still tasted very much like the Silver I knew and loved, and I was relieved by that. She smiled into the kiss and when I pulled back, I was craving more.

Against my better judgment, not liking that she was friends with another male, I turned to Erik.

“Can you stay with her?” I asked. “I’m taking Luca and Leo with me to the palace to confront this imposter.”

He nodded without hesitation.

“Of course, Alpha. I won’t leave her side.”

I nodded, staring at him warily. I wondered about his true intentions with my wife but now wasn’t the time to question him.

I turned to my Beta and Gamma and motioned for them to follow us. I kissed Silver one last time just before Dr. Scott motioned for her to lie back down on the bed so he could put the IV in her arm.

Several minutes later, we arrived back at the palace. I was glad it was still standing, and nobody seemed hurt since I left a couple of hours ago. I knew this imposter would be angry because I had left after promising to accompany her into our bedroom.

“Elliot…” Mariah said as she walked into the front room. “I was just heading to the packhouse for the night. There’s leftover food in the fridge if any of you are hungry.”

She paused when she saw Charlotte and a kind smile appeared on her lips.

“Miss Crown. It’s been a while. Welcome home,” she said sweetly.

Charlotte smiled at Mariah.

“It’s good to see you again, Mariah,” she replied. “I’m glad to see this place hasn’t changed much.”

“The Alpha doesn’t like change as you already know,” Mariah chuckled. “I think the only changes done are whatever the Luna had done. Which wasn’t much.”

“Mariah, has Silver been down here at all?” I asked, interrupting their conversation.

Mariah nodded and I could see the uncertainty on her face.

“She came down once,” she admitted. “She was displeased you left and returned to her room. She seemed odd. Unlike herself. She didn’t want to stay and speak with me.”

I nodded and thanked her before going up the stairs, hearing the others following behind me.

“If you need anything, let me know. I’m staying at the packhouse until tomorrow evening because they are short-staffed. Everyone here knows already.”

“Thank you, Mariah,” I said over my shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I heard the front door shutting as I reached the second floor. We went up one more flight of stairs before reaching the third floor and then we traveled down the hallway. The closer I got to my bedroom, the angrier I was getting. This imposter was in my bedroom, in my bed, the one I shared with my wife.

I opened the door without knocking and I saw the imposter lying in bed, scrolling through her phone. She froze when she saw me standing there. I motioned for the others to stay where they were, out of sight while I spoke to the imposter. Before I walked into the room, I dipped my hand into the moon water, allowing it to soak until my fingers were dripping with wetness.

I nodded at Charlotte, indicating that I was ready, and she put the lid back on the jar.

The imposter’s face lit up immediately upon seeing me.

“Elliot, you’ve returned. I was surprised when I found out you had left. I was expecting you to join me in bed a couple of hours ago,” she said, pouting.

“I apologize. I had to deal with some stuff concerning the pack,” I said, sitting beside her on the bed. “How are you? Did you want to talk about what happened while you were with your brother?”

Her brows furrowed.

“I told you that I don’t remember much,” she said, biting her lower lip. “I truly don’t want to think about it though, Elliot. Even if I don’t remember much, I do know that he hurt me… I almost didn’t survive. I think my mind is blocking out the terror and protecting me.”

I nodded, trying to appear thoughtful. I felt the water still dripping off my fingers as I held them behind my back, hoping they didn’t dry before I was ready.

“Well, perhaps if you slept, your memories would return to you,” I told her.

She frowned.

“Or maybe if we have a little fun in the sheets, it’ll jog my memory,” she purred, batting her lashes at me. My stomach tightened from her words; I felt uncomfortable.

“Perhaps,” I said, getting closer to her.

Her cheeks flushed and a smile spread across her lips as she closed her eyes and puckered her mouth. She was getting ready to kiss me and I figured now was a good time to find out the truth. I flicked my fingers in front of her face, letting the water splash on her features.

She froze and her eyes flew open. When she saw the look on my face she gasped.

“Elliot… what—”

She couldn’t even finish her sentence before her face started to smoke and I could see that the water was now burning her flesh. She screamed in pain, clutching at her face with trembling fingers. I watched in horror, quickly standing to my feet as the others joined me to watch what was happening.

The imposter cried out in pain as the skin peeled from her face. Tears burned in her eyes and when she looked up at me, I could see fury on her face.

My entire heart fell into my stomach as her true face came to light. As soon as Silver’s face peeled off her completely, I looked into the familiar eyes of Shirley Darknight.