---- Alpha David's booming voice cut through the murmur of voices. "Apologize to Becky,Dorian!" I raised my hand, stopping him in his tracks. "Let him be, Alpha David. It doesn't matter anymore." Without a word, I turned and walked out of the room, my steps composed but my mind swirling. In the past, Dorian's words would have crushed me. But now, I was numb to his hatred, numb to the way Alpha David's love always belonged to someone else. "Why would you cause a scene on his birthday, Becky?" Sara's shrill voice echoed behind me, and I turned to face her, my expression neutral. "What do you want, Sara?" I said, my voice dripping with exhaustion. "I've fulfilled my duty for eight years. I'm done." Her eyes narrowed with disdain as she took a step ---- closer. "You should treatDorian like your son. Endure his fits, care for him as if he's your flesh and blood. If my daughter were alive, she'd have handled him better." I gave a nonchalant shrug, the bitterness of the situation settling in. "Pity, your daughter is dead." Without warning, Sara's hand shot out, aiming for my cheek. But I caught her wrist effortlessly, my grip like iron. "Don't try it, Sara. I'm not in the mood for this. Eight years ago, you forced me to come here and care for them. The contract is over.Dorian is eight. Ihave every right to leave." She jerked her hand away, glaring at me as she rubbed her wrist. "Do whatever you want, Becky," she hissed, "No one will ever love you. Not even your father." She turned on her heel and stormed off. A hollow smile twisted on my lips as I watched her ---- leave. It had been eight years since I'd last seen my father. Ever since his beloved daughter had died, he'd sent me away and never looked back. "Tm sorry, Becky. I brought you a gift." A quiet voice broke my thoughts, and I turned to seeDorian standing there, holding a small, neatly wrapped box. His innocent smile was almost too much to bear. "you shouldn't have," I said, my voice flat, though I could see the hint of irony behind my words. Corvin giggled, a light, almost playful sound. "I wanted to. Please, open it." With a shrug, I unwrapped the box. The moment I opened it, an overpowering stench hit me. Inside was the lifeless body of my cat, an arrow lodged through its heart. "That will be you, if you don't leave me and my ---- father alone," Dorian said, his voice dripping with sick amusement, his eyes gleaming with a chilling intent.