---- smug look off his face. But I held her back. Bit down on my pain. Stayed silent. My mother nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If you hadn't attacked her wolf, she wouldn't have gotten worse. You're lucky she's still alive. If she weren't..." her voice sharpened, "I'd have disowned you." Iremembered. The day Jane flaunted Gary's mark on her neck, parading around like a victor. Ihad slapped her. And they walked in right at that moment. Gary's wolf attacked mine, slamming her into the ground. My wolf's head spun. My mother jumped in and clawed me too. ---- My father? He stood there. Watching. Silent. Judging. As if I deserved every blow. Jane clutched her chest and cried out that her wolf was in pain too. No one doubted her. They believed her every word. Mine meant nothing. My wolf had been devastated ever since. Silent. Empty. Now, standing here again, I smiled bitterly. "T'm sorry. It was my fault." Everyone was stunned at how easily I surrendered. Gary looked at me with suspicion, as if waiting for the punchline. Jane frowned, clearly thinking I was bluffing. My parents looked on, wary. ---- Only Jack-my sweet, innocent Jack-ran into my arms, beaming. "Mommy, I'm so happy you apologized! Now don't bully Auntie anymore, or I won't like you either!" That... That was the final crack. Thad carried him for ten months. Raised him with love. And even he-chose Jane. I cupped his soft face and smiled. "Mommy will listen to you." My mother gave a satisfied nod. "Good. You've finally learned to behave." Gary exhaled, smiling. "My mate has grown up." ---- His fake affection made me sick to my stomach. Then Jane let out a small whimper. Gary rushed to her side. Jack slipped from my arms and ran after them. "Auntie, are you hurt? I'll blow on it for you!" My parents rushed to her, faces full of love and concern. I stood there. Alone. Invisible. I was the ghost at my own funeral. "I'm tired," I murmured. No one stopped me as I walked out the door.