Thea’s POV
“What do you mean?” Chief Hawthorne asked, clearly disbelieving my statement.
I was about to answer when a knock interrupted us. Hawthorne rose to open the door, and I wasn't surprised when Sebastian walked in.
“Perfect timing, Alpha Ashworth,” Hawthorne said. “Thea was just about to tell me who she thinks shot her. She doesn’t believe it was Aurora, despite all evidence pointing to her.”
Sebastian didn’t speak, simply turning to look at me. I didn't avoid his gaze. My initial fury had subsided during the drive; Diana’s calming presence had given me strength. She’d been constantly reminding me to “focus on what’s in front of you.”
“Listen,” I began, “this isn’t about Aurora; it’s about the truth. I think someone is using her as a scapegoat.”
Sebastian studied me carefully. “You knew something before the accident.” His tone was more of a statement than a question.
I nodded. “I saw who shot me. I know it wasn’t Aurora.” I couldn’t deny feeling touched that he could read me so easily.
“Who was it? Callista?” Sebastian asked almost instantly.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. That day I'd gone out to eat with my parents, Aurora had pushed me, causing me to hit my head, and I had seen Callista. Before losing my memory, Callista had been on my list of suspects, and for some reason Sebastian now suspected her too. Unfortunately, she wasn’t who I’d seen that day.
“It was Vanessa.” I took a deep breath, naming the person I hadn’t remembered until now. “Just before I lost consciousness, she pulled down her mask slightly. That victorious, evil smile—I’ll never forget it.”
The room fell silent. Sebastian and Hawthorne’s expressions were unreadable, but I could tell this revelation had shocked them both.
“Are you certain?” Hawthorne finally asked.
I understood his skepticism. All evidence pointed to Aurora; every clue led to her. Accepting another possibility would be challenging.
“Yes. Back when I was married to Sebastian, she and Callista were the two who treated me most cruelly. She’s a senior financial advisor at Ashworth, but we all know she’s also one of the top three female wolves in this damn Pack, completely obsessed with Sebastian.”
Sebastian scowled. I knew he wanted to deny it, but it was obvious.
“Of course, Sebastian never noticed. During all those years Aurora was gone, he neither accepted me nor any other she-wolf. But Vanessa wouldn’t see it that way. She’d only see that a ‘wolfless bitch’ like me took everything she thought should be hers.”
I took a deep breath and continued: “I never fully understood her hostility before, but I think that’s what she resented. She couldn’t accept why Sebastian chose me as Luna instead of any other ‘decent, normal woman with a wolf.’ A few months ago at Sophia’s restaurant, she insulted me in front of everyone and threatened that Sebastian would ‘put me back in my place,’ until Sophia stepped in and kicked her out. Honestly, I have to thank the Moon Goddess because that confrontation is how I befriended Sophia. But thinking back now, when she left, she snarled that ‘this isn’t over—I should have been more vigilant.’”
Looking back, I should have considered the animosity between Vanessa and me. Callista and I had more direct conflicts, making her an easier suspect, but I don’t know why nobody saw it before.
Sebastian was about to say something, but I cut him off. I needed to wrap this up quickly so I could go home and get some sleep.
“Like I told Sebastian, Aurora may have many flaws, but being a killer isn’t one of them. I knew this from the moment you arrested her. The question kept bothering me, and for some reason, I instinctively knew she was innocent. It wasn’t until I regained my memories this morning that I understood why I was so convinced.”
Hawthorne thought for a moment. “I don’t doubt you now, but one big question remains: how did Aurora’s fingerprints end up on the weapon that nearly took your life?”