Alpha Alaric, Luna Zara, Kael Vale, and Scarlett had already taken their seats-but none of them had touched their food yet. For once, the usual clatter of silverware and forced pleasantries was absent. When Riley finally emerged from the corridor, the atmosphere shifted. Luna Zara immediately stood, walking briskly toward her with a strained smile. "Riley, you must be starving. Come, have some breakfast," she said warmly, grabbing her hand and guiding her to the table, Alpha Alaric occupied the head seat. To his right sat Kael; to his left, Zara. Scarlett, as always, nestled close to her mother. The only remaining seat was between Kael and Scarlett. Neither of them were welcome options, but if Riley had to choose. she'd rather sit beside Kael. At least she knew his malice was honest. Riley sat down silently, expression unreadable. She picked up her spoon and began eating the small bowl of dumplings in front of her delicate wolfbone broth with wild herbs, prepared by Mia. She didn't say a word. Didn't look at any of them, All four members of the Alpha family watched her. Alpha Alaric's eyes were hard, his jaw clenched tight, restrained only by Zara's silent warning glance. Zara, for her part, wore a tight, polite smile, clearly torn between managing appearances and managing the brewing tension. She opened her mouth, likely to remind Riley to greet her elders, but whatever she had planned to say died on her lips. Scarlett, ever the peacemaker, tried a softer approach. "Sister, Mia made this especially for you," she chirped, forcing a sweet smile. "Is it good?" Riley didn't reply. She didn't even glance at her. Kael drew a sharp breath through his nose, clearly struggling to keep his temper in check. His lips curled into a tight, disingenuous smile. "Riley," he said, voice low but tense, "when you're done with breakfast, take that damn bandage off your head. You're not actually injured. Walking around like that makes it look like someone in this house abused you." Riley's hand paused slightly, spoon mid-air. The corner of her lips twitched-not in amusement, but in bitter contempt. Then she resumed eating, as if he hadn't spoken at all. She finished her meal quickly. After wiping her mouth with a napkin, she stood. "I'm done," she said coldly. "Enjoy the rest of your breakfast." Kael slammed his palm on the table. "What the hell is your problem, Riley? Do you think we owe you something? You walk around with that miserable face like the whole Pack has wronged you." Riley turned to look at him, eyes like cracked ice-void of warmth or expression. That look only enraged Kael further. He stood, grabbed her arm, and with a sharp, angry gesture, ripped the bandage from her forehead. Tll prove you're faking." he growled. "You're addicted to playing the victim." The moment the gauze came off, the scab beneath tore open. Fresh blood gushed from the wound, sliding down Riley's face in thin, crimson rivers. The room fell silent. Karl's hand dropped like it had touched fire. His pupils contracted. 36 PM. Scarlett's eyes gleamed for a heartbeat with something unreadable-satisfaction, maybe-but she quickly masked it with a frightened expression. "Are you okay, sister?" But Riley didn't flinch. Didn't cry out. Didn't even blink. The blood streaked down her pale cheeks, soaking into her collar, but her gaze remained hollow, unflinching. She looked at them like they weren't her family at all. Like they were monsters. "Is this what you wanted?" Her voice was hoarse, distant. "Does this satisfy you?" No one answered. Alpha Alaric's face didn't even twitch. "It's just a scratch," he said gruffly. "No need to be dramatic." The silence that followed was deafening Riley's fingers curled around the edge of the table, knuckles white with pressure. The table creaked under her grip. threatening to buckle. Kael, Scarlett, and Zara all immediately moved to steady the table-clearly remembering the last time Riley lost control and flipped it. "Calm down," Zara said quickly. "Your father didn't mean it that way. He just-he just didn't realize it was that serious. He cares. We all do..." Even she didn't seem to believe her own words. Riley stared straight through her, gaze sharp enough to pierce bone. Zara looked away, unable to meet her eyes. The air was thick with tension. Blood continued to drip from Riley's head onto the tablecloth, bright and vivid against white linen. "Care?" she echoed. "What a lovely word." She turned slowly, her voice quiet but soaked in contempt. "Thank you so much for your concern, Alpha Alaric. Luna Zara. I'll treasure it." Without giving anyone the chance to respond, she turned and walked out of the room. Kael sat back down, jaw clenched. He shoved his bowl away, appetite gone. "I'm heading to the office," he muttered, already storming out the front door. Inside his car, Kael leaned back in the leather seat, staring at the blood-stained gauze in his palm. Something twisted deep inside his chest-tight, unfamiliar. Riley had left the house just fine yesterday morning But that night, she returned with a head wound. What the hell happened? He closed his eyes, mind flashing back to her pale face and dead eyes. His stomach churned. "I'm warning you," Kael snarled. "I don't care what she did in the past-she's paid for it. She's the daughter of Alpha Alaric. It' you ever touch her again- Click. Ronan hung up without a word. Kael cursed and Inurled the phone onto the passenger seat. "Fuck!" He sat in the car for a long time, jaw clenched, throat dry. Finally, he started the engine and drove to the Pack's central tower-but work was impossible. All he could see was her face.. Her blood. After nearly an hour of fidgeting and frustration, he picked up his phone again and dialed Mia. "Mia. How is she? Did someone treat her wound? Riley... is she okay?"