---- Chapter 2 Ihad barely reached the doorway when a wave of searing pain overwhelmed me, nearly knocking me unconscious. Arelentless storm crashed through my body. I stumbled, clutching the wall for support. My wolf thrashed inside me, howling in unbearable agony. I wanted to soothe her, to hold her-but the pain had its claws sunk deep. Desperate, I dug through my bag, searching for the special herb-the only one that could ease this suffering. Just when I thought I wouldn't make it, my fingers finally closed around it. I swallowed several in one go, choking them down. Only then did the pain begin to subside-slightly. From inside Jane's infirmary room, I could still hear ---- my mother's voice. Scolding me. Blaming me. Dismissing me. She said I was cold and heartless-that I didn't care about Jane. But I knew the truth. Jane always conveniently felt "unwell" whenever I was around. It was her favorite trick. Asure way to summon attention. But the truth was-she never needed tricks. She had it all. My parents' affection. My mate Gary's devotion. Even my pup Jack's love. She wasn't even their real daughter. She was adopted. ---- I-Nadia-was their blood. And yet... they had never truly accepted me. They didn't look for me when I went missing. When I finally returned, they gave mea name like a placeholder- As if to remind themselves... and me... that I'd never truly belong.