She stepped back slightly but kept her hands gently on Addison’s arms, her eyes shining with fondness.
"I’m Mila—your cousin. We were very close as children and treated each other like sisters. You even used to protect me when we were growing up," she added with a soft chuckle.
As Mila finally released her, there was a spark of hope and longing in her eyes—clearly waiting, perhaps even yearning, for some flicker of recognition in Addison’s expression.
Seeing this, Addison felt a sense of relief wash over her. It reassured her that her first impression of Mila might truly have been right. Pushing aside the strange ache in her heart, she returned the hug and offered Mila a warm, sincere smile.
"Hello, Mila. I’m Addison. Thank you... for staying by my parents’ side all these years."
Her words were genuine, and her smile reflected her heartfelt gratitude. The Alpha King and Queen, watching the exchange, felt their anxiety melt away. Relief softened their expressions as they saw no trace of resentment in their daughter’s face.
Mila smiled sweetly, though her eyes shimmered with emotion. "No, no—please don’t thank me, Addison. I’ve long seen the Alpha King and Queen as my own parents. They’ve treated me with more kindness and care than I ever received from my birth family, and being with them when they needed someone... it felt only right."
Her voice wavered slightly, and she looked a little flustered, almost on the verge of tears as she lowered her gaze.
"And if... if you feel uncomfortable—like I might have usurped your place these past six years—I sincerely apologize. That was never my intention. I’m more than willing to step aside and return everything to you."
Her tone was soft, almost too docile, and the sincerity in her trembling voice tugged at the heart.
Maybe Mila had been carrying all these emotions silently for years, and now, she was finally letting them out—trying to prevent any misunderstandings before they could take root. But as Addison listened, her brows gradually furrowed.
On the surface, Mila’s words were filled with kindness, loyalty, and affection. Yet, when Addison pieced them together, something felt... off. As if beneath that gentle tone was an implication—that while Addison had been gone, Mila had stepped into her place, filling the void left in the Alpha King and Queen’s hearts, becoming their daughter in everything but name. And now that Addison had returned, Mila was "gracefully" stepping aside, handing the role back over.
If anyone else had been listening, they might easily misunderstand the situation. It could appear that Addison had come back only to cast her cousin out, resenting her for being close to the royal family, wanting to reclaim her position without regard for Mila’s feelings or sacrifices.
Addison blinked, trying to shake off the thought. Was she reading too much into this? Was it just her own mistrust whispering doubts—shaped by all she had endured in the Midnight River Pack? Or was this strange intuition rooted in something real? She didn’t know. And perhaps that uncertainty was what unsettled her most.
The Queen quickly stepped in, her voice gentle yet firm, hoping to dispel the tension in the room.
"Mila, look at you—still so cautious and afraid," she said with a sigh, her eyes softening with concern. "You don’t have to be like this, not here. Addison wouldn’t mind you staying with us. She’s nothing like your half-siblings who always pushed you away and schemed against you."
She turned to Addison briefly, as if to emphasize her point, then back to Mila.
"Didn’t Addison just thank you for taking care of us all these years? Besides, she’s not the kind of person to say one thing and do another. You don’t have to walk on eggshells around her."
The Queen’s gaze was filled with sorrow as she looked at Mila—this girl who had spent years guarding herself, forced into wariness by the cruelty of her own family. Even now, despite being happy to see Addison return, Mila was still too cautious, too afraid of doing the wrong things.
The Queen then turned to Addison with a soft, almost weary smile. "Sweetheart, your cousin has always been like this. She’s sweet, yes—but far too cautious for her own good. Sometimes she starts explaining herself before anyone even has a chance to misunderstand her."
She let out a sigh, her expression a mix of affection and helplessness as she looked at her daughter, who still seemed stunned by what Mila had said.
But the Queen wasn’t lying, she then added gently. "From the moment Mila first stepped foot into the Royal Palace at six years old, she’s always carried herself this way—careful, reserved, always second-guessing herself. We’ve all gotten used to it over the years."
She paused for a moment, her gaze softening with empathy.
"You used to treat her with such kindness, Addison. I remember how you always tried to draw her out of her shell, because even then, you could sense the pain she carried. Growing up in a household full of half-siblings, always having to fight for even a sliver of her parents’ love and attention... it’s no wonder she became like this—nervous, anxious, always afraid of being unwanted."
The Queen quickly stepped in to explain, her tone calm but tinged with concern. While they had always felt sympathy for Mila, they had never allowed her to stay in the Royal Palace for extended periods—only during occasional visits.
They knew all too well that the more time Mila spent with them, the more it provoked the jealousy and resentment of her half-siblings. Her family was a cutthroat household where survival meant constant vigilance, and the more attention she received from the royal family, the more viciously she was targeted.
But this time was different.
Despite the risks, Mila had put her own safety on the line. For the past few years, she had stayed by the Alpha King and Queen’s side, offering emotional support and tirelessly helping to search for Addison. Her loyalty had been unwavering.
And just as they feared, the longer she remained with them, the more dangerous the schemes of her half-siblings became. The bullying, once overt and petty, had turned into something far more insidious—cruel, calculated, and ruthless.
Now, the Queen couldn’t bring herself to send Mila back. She knew that if Mila returned and her family believed she had been cast aside by the royal family, they would see it as a green light to unleash their full cruelty. And this time, Mila might not survive it.
Then, like a spark in the darkness, a fragment of memory resurfaced in Addison’s mind.
In the vision, two young girls were running around the palace garden, laughing as they played a game of tag. Their joyful giggles echoed through the air, full of innocence and light.
Both had long golden hair that shimmered under the sun, but their appearances differed—one was taller, healthier, her cheeks round and rosy, while the other was frail and thin, her skin dry and slightly sallow. The smaller girl had been timid at first, hanging back with hesitant eyes, until the taller girl pulled her into the game with an encouraging tug. Slowly, her reluctance melted into laughter.