Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 66: Clarissa – Loodie

My inner wolf thrashed violently, desperate to shift. I could feel every hair on my body standing on end, preparing for transformation.

But the worst part was the pain crushing my chest. Slowly, it climbed to my head, then spread down to my arms and legs.

"Assistance from the parents has begun," the voice in my head spoke again.

Alpha Will and Luna Eileen must have been shocked by this sudden pain.

I turned my head toward the stage as the warriors dragged me out of the ballroom.

On the stage, Alpha Will clutched his chest while nudging Shannon. Immediately, Shannon, who had been standing straight, grabbed her own chest. Her expression twisted in pain.

"Father, Mother," she said while enduring the pain, "could you help reduce the pain from my inner wolf? It suddenly went out of control."

Luna Eileen’s eyes widened in shock. Even while in pain, she smiled gently.

"Mother will help you."

She stepped onto the stage and pulled Shannon into a hug. Alpha Will joined them, wrapping his arms around both of them. Edwin and Darren followed, climbing onto the stage and embracing them as well.

The guests burst into applause, touched by the warm sight of that family.

Just before I was dragged past the ballroom doors, I caught a glimpse of Shannon smirking at me.

The pain in my body was no longer as intense as before. It seemed Luna Eileen was truly taking on the pain for her.

Even so, my heart sank.

For a brief moment, I had hoped they would realize I was their real daughter and stop all of this.

But with my own eyes, I saw Alpha Will signal Shannon, prompting her to act. Alpha Will was the true devil.

So from the very beginning, whether I was his biological daughter or not never mattered. Then why did he do all this?

Heartbreak and the sudden coldness in my chest caused my body, which had been on the verge of shifting, to stop completely.

My inner wolf whimpered and complained, "I was just born. I can’t handle emotions this intense yet."

Then the voice disappeared.

It seemed the inner wolf I had waited for all this time couldn’t help me in a situation this desperate.

I was thrown into a dark prison.

Once Alpha Will arrived, my punishment carried out. I stared at him coldly.

My hands and legs were bound to a platform, while two warriors who had already shifted into wolves stood on either side of me.

At some point, I was able to speak again. Whether it was thanks to my inner wolf’s power or because the pressure from earlier had faded, I didn’t know.

With a hoarse voice, I asked, "What did I actually do to deserve all of this?"

Alpha Will didn’t answer.

Instead, he turned to the two warriors beside me. "Begin the punishment."

At that moment, I saw Alpha Will smirk.

...

Everything went dark. I couldn’t speak. The pain in my eyes, mouth, legs, and hands made me want to scream.

But I knew that screaming might attract wild beasts.

My body lay on damp ground, wet grass brushing against my skin, soaked with dew.

The scent of the forest mixed with the metallic stench of blood filled my senses. They had dumped me into the forest immediately after carrying out the brutal punishment.

I couldn’t even cry. Blood flowed from my eye sockets instead of tears. I wanted to wipe it away, but I no longer had hands.

I never wanted to be part of that family. They were the ones who forced me.

So why did they punish me like the worst criminal in the world? Did I deserve all this?

No. This wasn’t my fault.

The Green family had completely destroyed me.

Edwin, the youngest, rude and childish. Darren, the eldest, arrogant and full of himself. Shannon, who turned out to be two-faced all along. Luna Eileen, so foolish that she unknowingly became cruel.

And the mastermind behind all my suffering, Alpha William.

Even if my body was crippled. Even if I died tonight. I would carry this hatred to my grave.

I would haunt them. I would never let them live in peace.

Just as I thought this night would be spent alone with silence, the voice echoed in my head once more.

"What happened to our body? Where are our parents? My awakening was supposed to be celebrated by everyone."

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for my inner wolf. Or rather, sorry for myself.

I had just awakened. I was finally ready to live a normal life, maybe even a happy one, as a complete werewolf.

And yet here I was, left in the forest with a crippled body.

"Why do our parents want to kill us?" The voice in my head sounded like a child longing for love from their parents. It was pitiful.

"Don’t pity me!" my inner wolf snapped.

I was startled and began to wonder if an inner wolf could really have such a strong personality. An inner wolf was supposed to be a reflection of the werewolf itself. There was no inner wolf that openly argued with its host.

"Don’t compare me to other inner wolves! We were not born ordinary."

That made sense. ’If we’re not normal, then what exactly are we?’ I tried to communicate with my inner wolf.

My inner wolf replied in an arrogant tone, "We are the Healer. I have awakened. It’s time for us to find the Lycan King and stand beside him as he becomes the strongest werewolf in the world."

I froze in disbelief. The Healer?

After the last Lycan King died a thousand years ago, three prophecies were delivered through the Empire’s oracle.

Two of them spoke about the next Lycan King.

The final prophecy also concerned the Lycan King, but it mentioned the Healer.

"The Healer will find the Greatest Lycan King, guide him to the highest peak, and stand beside him as he illuminates the dark valley."

That prophecy clearly stated how crucial the Healer’s role would be for the next Lycan King.

Even before the prophecy existed, Lycan Kings had been accompanied by a Healer. Not all of them, but both the first Lycan King and the former Lycan King had a Healer by their side.

The first Lycan King built the Empire with the help of the Healer.

The former Lycan King died a thousand years ago because his Healer died first while helping him seal The Sire.

After the prophecy appeared, the Healer became the one destined to find the Lycan King. The Healer’s role was vital.

’And now this inner wolf is saying that I’m the Healer? That’s impossible,’ I thought.

"Hey! Why would I lie?" the voice snapped, clearly annoyed by my disbelief. "Instead of doubting me, focus your power where you are bleeding and stop it!"

I still didn’t fully believe it, but there was no harm in trying.

Guided by that voice, I felt energy rise from my heart and flow toward my eyes, mouth, arms, and legs.

In an instant, the pain vanished. The throbbing from my severed parts disappeared.

’I can really heal myself? I’m the Healer?’

"Hmph! Now you believe me," the arrogant tone echoed clearly in my head. "Now give me a name instead of calling me ’that inner wolf’ or ’this inner wolf.’"

Usually, an inner wolf’s name matched its fur color, which was also the color of the werewolf’s hair.

"We’re not a brown wolf!" my inner wolf objected immediately. "We are the Healer!"

From what I knew, a Healer’s wolf was always red.

’Do you want to be called Red...ie?’

"What kind of name is that?!"

I had asked gently, but this inner wolf was extremely temperamental.

Thinking about my bloody situation, I finally decided on a name. ’I’ll name you Loodie, from blood, which is red.’

"I don’t want that!"

’I’m not your babysitter. Stop whining,’ I replied coldly.

I felt my body shiver. Loodie seemed shaken by my sudden cold tone. Maybe because he had just been born, but he really was like a child.

For a while, Loodie stayed silent. Then he finally spoke, half-pouting, "Fine. That’s my name."

With the naming settled, I returned to the real problem. My body could barely function unless I used my power to heal myself.

"A Healer doesn’t possess vast power from the start. You must train on yourself first. Only those who understand pain deeply can truly heal others," Loodie explained, sounding like an ancient elder enlightening a young warrior. He was clearly offended that I had called him childish.

’Is my condition still not painful enough?’ I asked honestly, not sarcastically. Just stating the facts.

Loodie cleared his throat. "We’re miserable enough as it is. Start with your eyes. Channel the energy from your core to your eyes like before. It won’t work immediately. You have to keep trying."

I followed Loodie’s instructions.

And so, my long journey as the Healer began.

Even so, I would never forget those who had hurt me. I would make them feel the same pain I had endured.

...