She brushed them off impatiently. "Yeah, whatever. I've got things to do-you two just go play by yourselves." Kai still thought she was acting like before, trying to make them happy. In a fit of anger, he threw his toy cross the room. No! You have to play with us!" But to his horror, Megan's face twisted into something truly scary. hose eyes that had always seemed so gentle and caring were now completely empty of warmth. What did you just say? Who do you think you're yelling at?" Don't you know I'm about to mate with your dad and become the new Luna of this pack?" Your dad doesn't even like that worthless mother of yours-and by extension, you two aren't much better. It von't be long before he gets tired of you too." 'he pups cowered in fear, clinging to each other, not daring to make a sound. Where was all that attitude they used to have when they bullied June? As long as you get that through your thick skulls, we're fine. Remember, in this house from now on, I'm in charge. If you yell at me like that again, don't blame me for getting rough with you." With that final threatening glare at the two pups, she turned coldly and headed upstairs. From that point on, at Megan's orders, the pack house staff began treating the two pups like they were invisible. Not only did no one bother taking them to their training sessions anymore, but soon even their meals weren't prepared properly-regular feeding times went out the window. They were left scrounging for whatever leftovers remained after Megan had finished eating. The hot summer sun blazed down on the territory, while the air conditioning in the pack house hummed steadily Kai and Cora lay on the game room floor, playing with building blocks, occasionally sneaking glances at Megan as she applied lipstick in front of her vanity mirror. "Aunt Megan," Cora said timidly, "can we go get ice cream? You promised..." The week before, their dad had bought Aunt Megan some new jewelry, and in a good mood, she'd looked at the two pups sprawled on the floor and told them she'd take them out for ice cream. But Megan didn't even turn around, snapping irritably, "Can't you see I'm busy?" "But..." Kai worked up his courage, speaking hesitantly, "you said last week you'd take us..." "You're so annoying!" Megan spun around, her lipstick smearing a harsh red streak at the corner of her mouth "All you ever think about is food! Look how chubby you've both gotten!" The two pups huddled together in fear. Ever since their mom had left, they hadn't felt an ounce of care from Aunt Megan. The once warm and loving smiles had disappeared, replaced by constant frowns and sharp scolding. "Get back to your rooms!" Megan grabbed a tissue to wipe at her mouth, her face twisted with annoyance as she barked, "I can't stand looking at you!" Tears welled up in Cora's eyes, but she didn't dare let them fall. The last time she'd cried, Aunt Megan had pinched her leg and threatened that if she told her dad, she'd throw away all her favorite toys. That day, Alpha Nicholas unexpectedly announced he'd be coming home for dinner. By the time he arrived, the two pups were already in bed. Megan greeted him in a silk nightgown, a faint perfume drifting from her skin, which glowed from careful pampering and looked impossibly soft. "Work finally slowing down? Decided to grace us with your presence?" she teased gently, taking his jacket from him. "There were some issues with the territorial disputes lately, but things should settle down soon," Nicholas said, loosening his tie and glancing around. "Where are the pups? I haven't seen them in forever." "They went to bed early-don't worry, I've been taking great care of them," Megan replied with a smile, wrapping her arms around him and purring, "Nick, there's a pack gathering tomorrow, and I need a matching necklace... could you...?" Nicholas nodded without really listening before she'd even finished. "Go ahead and pick one out. Just use my card." The next morning at breakfast, he finally saw the two pups coming down to eat. What puzzled Nicholas was how unusually quiet Kai and Cora were being. Looking closer, the pups seemed to have lost weight recently-their faces had gotten thinner. Nicholas put down his coffee cup, frowning. "What's going on? Are you two feeling sick?" "N-no! Kai blurted out, shaking his head frantically, his hands trembling as his spoon clinked against the bowl Megan came out of the kitchen carrying a fruit plate, glancing over with a light laugh. "Nick, don't worry- they're perfectly fine." She bent down and affectionately ruffled Kai's hair, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Right, sweetheart?" Kai went rigid, mumbling quietly, "Yeah..." Suddenly, Nicholas's phone rang. He checked the caller ID, stood up, and said, "Pack business-I have to go." The door closed behind him, and Megan's smile vanished instantly. She snatched the milk glass right out of Cora's hand, her face showing pure impatience. "Drinking that slow? Trying to be late? Hurry up and eat!" "With your dad back for these few days, you two better get to your lessons and stay out of trouble." "Otherwise, don't say I didn't warn you." The threat hit home-Cora jumped, quickly shoving bread into her mouth, only to choke on it, her face turning bright red. "Useless little thing!" Megan sneered in disgust, barely glancing her way as she snapped, "What a disappointment-just like your pathetic mother!"