---- Chapter 6 Unbeknownst to Gary, Nadia's mother Mrs.Black had arranged a cruel punishment-she'd sent all the staff away, leaving Nadia completely alone. Gary knocked again, his voice softening. "Nadia... I know we've wronged you." "T've had time to think. You only lashed out at Jane because none of us cared enough about you." "T'll talk to Mr.Black and Mrs.Black. I'll ask them to be more patient." "And Jack... he told me yesterday he still likes you. He wants you to be his mom again. He misses your bedtime stories." He kept talking, voice hoarse, until his mouth ran dry. Still, the door stayed shut. His wolf stirred restlessly. Sharp claws emerged as frustration grew in his eyes. Just then, Beta Bill, standing nearby, nervously asked, ---- "Sir... are you sure your mate is inside?" Gary swallowed. "Of course she is. She always listens to me. I told her to come home-she'd never disobey." "And she texted me yesterday, said she was doing fine, told me not to worry." But even as he said the words, dread twisted in his chest. Suddenly uneasy, Gary called Mrs. Black, asking for the den's code. Lately,Mrs.Black had been restless and uneasy. In her mind flashed an old memory- Nadia, arriving at their den in the dead of winter. A tiny girl ina patched, filthy coat, ragged pants, thin shoes with her toes poking out. Not even the beggars had looked that pitiful. Yet her eyes... her eyes had sparkled. That glimmer had warmed something deep in Mrs. Black's heart. Back then, she had genuinely cared for Nadia. Always saved the best things for her. ---- But as time went on, Nadia couldn't seem to accept Jane. Mrs. Black had raised Jane like a rose-delicate, radiant. How could she send that rose away? Their den was vast enough. Why couldn't Nadia simply share space? Yet the girl grew arrogant, even forming other werewolf to bully Jane's wolf. Mrs. Black was bitterly disappointed. She believed her strictness had forced Nadia to grow up. Just as Mrs. Black was lost in her thoughts, the phone rang. It was Gary. The moment she heard he had gone to the Black clan's den, she panicked. "Gary, are you out of your mind?" she snapped. "Do you have any idea what time it is? How could you go to my house right now?" "If someone sees you meeting Nadia in private, all our