---- moments only mates share. "Oh, by the way, you probably don't know this, do you? Every night, during those 'intimate! moments you share with Connor, he sends me some of the more... interesting clips for my ' viewing pleasure.'" "If those stuffy old elders in the pack saw this stuff, don't you think they'd say your mother failed to raise her daughter right, and despise her even more?" "One is her own flesh and blood, the other her stepson, heir to a powerful Alpha. And the two of them, sneaking around behind everyone's backs, fooling around every night in the Alpha's residence " "You dare!" I couldn't hold back the fury burning in my chest anymore. ---- I whipped my hand up and, with all my strength, slapped her hard across her pretty face. The sharp crack of the slap echoed loudly in the quiet room. Elena screamed and fell to the ground, her arm knocking over the picture frame on the nightstand. Bright red blood instantly welled up from her delicate white palm. Connor burst through the door, his Alpha scent radiating pure rage. He snatched a trembling Elena into his arms, holding her tight. His eyes, when he looked at me, were filled with undisguised fury and disgust. "Aria, what are you doing? Are you crazy?!" "Elena was kind enough to come up and ask you to join us for dinner, what the hell is wrong with you?!" ---- Connor's father also appeared at the door, his face terrifyingly grim. My mother hurried forward nervously, trying to explain, "Connor, Aria didn't mean it, there must be some misunderstanding..." "Aria, quickly, apologize to Elena!" Elena, eyes red-rimmed, clung to Connor like a frightened deer, her Omega scent thick with distress and fear. "I'm sorry, Connor, I just wanted to invite Aria to our... our ceremony. I don't know why she suddenly attacked me..." "Don't blame Aria, she probably... didn't mean it," she said, looking all pitiful, but I caught a flicker of triumph in her eyes. Acold smile touched my lips. I looked straight at the pair clinging to each other. He ignored my expression, his gaze cold and ---- hateful, like I was some piece of filth. "Aria, apologize!" he roared, his Alpha pressure crashing down on me without mercy. My nails dug deep into my palms, tiny beads of blood seeping out from between my fingers. "T did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?" My voice was quiet but incredibly firm. "You're the ones who should be apologizing!" Deep disappointment welled up in Connor's eyes, along with a hint... of barely hidden satisfaction. "Aria, when did you become like this? You're being ... completely unreasonable!" Before I could say anything else, Connor's father stepped forward and carefully helped Elena up from Connor's arms. "Let's get Elena to the treatment room first. The scent in here is too chaotic; it's not good for an