Chapter 18 : Return to the Pack - 2 " This is the finest herbal tea from Harbor City . It's for you ," I said , my voice warm with affection . Agatha laughed through her tears , clutching the box to her chest . " I'll make some for you tonight . " I gently shook my head , my amber eyes soft . " No , it's specially for you . I've had plenty already . This is just a small token of my gratitude for all you've done . " Agatha was so touched her eyes brimmed with tears again . " Miss Olivia … " she murmured , unable to say more . Before our reunion could deepen , a crisp young voice interrupted us . " Sister ! Sister , you're back ! " An eight - year - old girl dashed forward from inside the house and hugged my leg tightly , her face shining with innocent delight . This was Grace Winters , my half - sister , born to Natalie Winters and my father after my mother's death . Her bright eyes looked up at me with pure adoration . Grace had always adored me , clinging to me whenever possible during my rare visits home . But I had never warmed to her , despite her persistent affection . My dislike stemmed largely from my resentment of Natalie Winters - my late mother's supposed best friend , who had married my father not long after my mother's death . In my mind , Natalie was a scheming interloper who stole my mother's place , and my father was a heartless betrayer who dishonored their marriage . Because of this , I had transformed from a well - behaved daughter into someone rebellious and distant . Now , seeing Natalie approaching with a smile , my expression froze involuntarily . " Grace heard you were back and couldn't wait to come home early from school , " Natalie said warmly , her voice gentle and welcoming . The warmth in her tone only deepened my discomfort . How dare she act like everything was normal ? Like she hadn't betrayed my mother's memory ? Natalie continued in that same gentle tone , " You must be tired , Olivia . Rest well , I'll call when dinner's ready . " you 1/3 < Chapter 18 Return to the Pac +25 Puntos > Meanwhile , Grace eagerly tugged at my hand , her eyes bright with excitement . " Sister , come look at my new drawings in my room ? I made a picture of a white wolf just like you said you wanted to be when you were little ! " I coldly withdrew my hand , unable to bear her innocent touch . " No. I want to rest ," I said , my voice frosty . Disappointment washed over the little girl's face . She pouted and lowered her head , her joy snuffed out by my rejection . Natalie quickly took Grace away , her face still smiling politely though her eyes betrayed her hurt . I felt a twinge of guilt seeing Grace's crestfallen expression , but I hardened my heart against it . Agatha , sensing the awkwardness , excused herself to prepare my old room . " I've kept it just as you left it , Miss Olivia . Fresh sheets every week , dusted daily . " Once they were all gone , I shut the door to my room and finally breathed in the quiet . My heart felt heavy with unspoken pain and anger that three years away had done nothing to diminish . I looked around the familiar space - my childhood bedroom preserved exactly as I'd left it . The light blue walls , the bookshelf filled with law textbooks , the framed photo of my mother and me on the nightstand . Running my fingers over the photo frame , I whispered , " I'm home , Mom . " ( Richard's POV ) When night fell , I returned home from a long day of pack business . Agatha had called to inform me of Olivia's return , and despite my outward calm , my heart raced at the prospect of seeing my daughter after three years . The family gathered around the dinner table , tension thick in the air . I looked at my daughter , studying her face for changes . She had grown more beautiful , more like her mother with each passing year . " Why didn't you tell us you were coming back today ? " I asked , trying to keep my voice even despite the emotion threatening to break through . Olivia countered with faint mockery , her amber eyes - so like her mother's - flashing with defiance . " Would it have mattered if I did ? Or if I didn't ? " Her tone was sharp , revealing the deep fissures between us that time had done nothing to heal . I frowned , displeased by her attitude but unsurprised . 213 < Chapter 18 Return to the Pac … +25 Puntos > " Three years have passed , yet your temperament is still so stubborn ? " I said , unable to keep the disappointment from my voice . Olivia gave me a half - smile , her eyes filled with bitter irony . " Three years have passed , yet you and Natalie still haven't divorced ? " 2 Comentarios Ver anuncios ( 0/20 ) > Votar 246 3/3