---- Chapter 4. Becky's POV "Don't think that putting on a pitiful act will make me accept you as my new Luna!" "Tf you' re leaving, then leave for good! Don't ever return to this territory!" Corvin's roar-half-voice, half-growl-cut through the air like a blade, sharp with rejection and rage. The arrow he released from his training bow shimmered with residual moonlight. I barely moved fast enough. It still nicked my shoulder, sinking into flesh. A guttural cry tore from my throat, half human, half wolf-pain. Alpha David was by my side in seconds, his scent- oak and iron-wrapping around me as he held me upright. "Pm so sorry, Becky," he whispered, voice thick ---- with guilt. But the moment was shattered by shrieks. Kiera was crying. AndDorian-my student, my blooded kin-in-training-was calling for help. "Papa, Aunty Kiera twisted her ankle while trying to help that witch!" Alpha David's eyes flicked between us. His jaw clenched. And then, just like always, he turned from me. "It's a clean wound," he said, not meeting my gaze. "Becky, go to the hospital. I'll come after. I need to help Kiera-she can't walk." I didn't say a word. I didn't have to. Pain was my language now. He lifted Kiera into his arms like she weighed nothing-like I had once-and carried her toward the waiting vehicle. Her smirk was the last thing I saw before the car vanished into the forested ---- driveway, withDorian seated proudly beside her. I remained there, slumped in a puddle of blood and betrayal-shot by the very boy I'd trained in archery under the moonlight, taught to steady his paws and focus his breath. The irony bit deeper than the arrow ever could. I was struggling to rise when I heard the unmistakable thump of polished boots on the stone path. "You're still here, you ungrateful girl? Didn't you howl your goodbye across the entire pack lands?" I knew that venom-laced voice. Sara-Alpha David's mother, a matron of the old bloodlines. She had never accepted a Beta like me in their prestigious Alpha lineage. I turned slowly, baring my wound. Her eyes widened, but not from concern-from calculated alarm. ---- "Trying to drag my son down with you? Dying here like this-what are you scheming? Take your theatrics outside and perish there!" "T was leaving," I hissed through clenched teeth, " until your grandson decided I'd make a good target." She sneered. "Typical. Hurt yourself for attention and blame a child. You want Alpha David's pity, don't you? As if that would ever make you Luna. You lost your place the moment you chose to walk away." "T never wanted a place bought with pain," I snapped back. "But your family keeps handing it out." She scoffed again. Then, with alarming strength for her age, she yanked my boxes and tossed them out into the night like trash. "Then begone. And die outside, Beta trash."