ra's

ouse. His stride was fast, his shoulders stiff, and I

r halls looking more like a s

living room

ng with her calm expression, though her eye

with warmth. Frank leaned toward her, his tone gentle, res

comfort, but it was comfo

me. She blinked, surprise softening her

or me with an expression that sa

pull me int

r touch. My voice was calm

us. I did not call her "Mothe

ide. "Aurora, stop this tantrum. Don't ac

efore she could say anything, Helen jumped up, cl

on't blame Mom! Please. I shou

ng at me as if sh

. "Aurora. Apologize

him. My voice was steady.

r than Helen. You thought I could handle the psy

ce growing colder. "You once knelt in front of

ith panic. Her lips tre

oom f

his. "Mr. Donald is still unaware, isn't he? The surveillance foo

remained silent in court while pushing me, the

o one spoke. Even Hele

ned Vicky yourself and tried to frame her! Do you thin

ra has suffered in the psychiatric hospital. She endured abuse th

always knew. She simply chose to ignore it. Just l

m this family. The truth was simple. If you

even surprise me anym

eed." With that, I turne

nt, taking in the house that was supp

ht here eight years ago, thinking I

owed proved I was nothin

place where I had been forc

sement. The place I had to share with Helen's do

damp. The bed small, the wall

old mattress, staring at the space wher

he bed, folded and waiting. But when

worn years ago, clothes she

es were not

became a quiet remin

r. She lived as the precious daughter. I

n my back, washing away the dirt and blood from the hospital,

hes back on, the ones I had brought with me, still rou

ved. The long table was crowded, but no one

ate was set. And all eyes, all

late. Alpha Frank watched her with approval. Helen laug

ble, unnoticed for a moment until Luna Melissa lo

r clothes," she said. "W

grew taller in the

n, but they dropped

g room fe

from her fingers and clattered to the floor

he wolf mental hospital. That place is filled with dark witches.

in her eyes. Her shoulders hunched as if even

r was enough to make her tremble.Yet no one cared about how I endure

around, each plate sitting full in front of

e. I pulled out a chair at the edge

e floor drew a brief glance from

pt e

tone was firm and authoritative. "Tomorrow we wil

lpha Gray of the Red Moon Wolf Clan. You

ed sli

t rather than a gesture of care. It w

. The banquet was more la

polished until it reflected every light. Tables wer

s pulled m

ghteenth birthday banquet for Hel

pha families from every corne

pack members, all gathered under the gl

e crown on her head, smiling sweetly as she stood between Alph

long enough to see the celebration end

away by the police in fr

s as I was handcuffed, as the

next five years of what should have been my bri

r the same bright lights as the Dona

daughter with big dreams. I was th