Chapter 5 At my father's request , the Moon Mirror shimmered to life , spilling glowing images across the room . In the pack house , Helena trudged in from school , her uniform torn and dripping wet . The moment she spotted my parents and Declan in the living room , she hunched into herself , trying to sneak upstairs . But my mother's sharp eyes caught her . "Helena , what happened ? " Her voice carried more alarm than anger . " Who hurt you ? Why is your uniform in such a state ? " my father demanded . Helena hugged herself tightly , trembling . " Mom , please don't be mad . I won't provoke Hazel anymore , I swear . Just ... don't blame me . " I'll go back to the omega shelter , " she whimpered . " I'm not trying to take Hazel's place . Please - just tell her to stop hitting me , tearing my clothes , taking those pictures ... " Her words broke into sobs . The lie landed like a blade to the gut . Declan's rage exploded . The moment I stepped through the pack house door , his boot slammed into my leg . " You worthless bitch ! How dare you treat Helena like that ? Who gave you the right ? " " On your knees . Apologize to her . Now . " I crumpled to the floor , their venomous stares burning into me . My chest hollowed out . I tried to speak , but my father's hand cracked across my face , cutting off any defense . " How did I raise such a disgrace ? " he roared . " You've been back with the pack only days and all you've learned is how to bully others . " " You'll stay kneeling until Helena forgives you . Don't you dare rise without her word . " They turned away , crowding around Helena , comforting her with gentle voices and soft touches . The Moon Mirror froze on that scene- - a family tableau of warmth and love . Picture - perfect . So this was what it meant to be the daughter of the Blackberry Pack's Alpha . A happiness I'd never know . Venom poured across the screen : " Wow , guess Hazel's no saint after all . " " Figures . She plays the bully like a pro . No wonder her parents and Declan can't stand her . " " Pathetic excuse for a person . I almost pitied her . Declan's right to knock her down . Ha ! " My parents and Declan smirked at the barrage of insults . Declan turned to the Alpha King , voice " Alpha King , surely Hazel can be declared guilty now . smug The whole hall seemed to hold its breath , waiting for the verdict . But the Alpha King's gaze shifted to the Moon Mirror . Its voice rang out , clear and steady : " After a thorough review of the truth , the charge of bullying against the defendant , Hazel , remains unfounded . " " What ? Unfounded ? " The crowd gasped . " How could it be unfounded again ? Is there more to this story ? " My parents and Declan bristled , their faces sour , but after last time's rebuke , none of them dared speak out . The Moon Mirror stirred again , pulling memories from my mind , and projected them on its surface . Chapter 5 Recich 50.00 % At school , a group of girls dragged me into the bathroom . They dumped filthy water over my head , then went at me with fists , kicks , broom handles , and mop poles . Strike after strike . Blow after blow . When their fury finally ebbed , I saw Helena standing at the front , grinning . " You little slum rat from the omega shelter , " she sneered . " You really think you belong in the same school as me ? " " This is just a warm - up . Next time , it'll be ten thousand times worse . " Then her tone turned mock - generous . " Tell you what . I'll give you ten grand to crawl back to that shelter . Take it and I'll stop . Deal ? " No. I couldn't go back there . My body shook as I shook my head , silently pleading . But Helena's face twisted with rage , reading my refusal as defiance . She pulled out her phone . " Looks like this slum rat needs to learn the hard way . Strip her clothes off . I want pictures of this pathetic nobody , for the whole pack and the whole school to see . " " No , please , stop ! " I begged , thrashing against them , but it was useless . Later , as we left the school , Helena scrolled through the photos , forcing me to bark like a dog for her amusement . My eyes burned with pain as I asked , " Why are you doing this ? Aren't you afraid I'll tell our parents ? " Helena threw her head back and laughed , tears streaming from the sheer hilarity . " Oh , my naive big sister , you still don't get it . Guess I'll have to give you another lesson . " She ordered her cronies to strip the filthy , shredded uniform from my body and dress her in it . Then she ran home to tattle , spinning her lies to my parents and Declan - who punished me without hesitation . The Moon Mirror's final image lingered on my father's command : me kneeling at the pack house door , forbidden to rise .