---- left inside you. Even when I gave up everything-even then-they still wouldn't let me go. Gary knelt beside me, his face dark with disappointment. "Nadia... when did you become like this?" My father, standing protectively beside Jane, spat, "You ungrateful brat. Raised by rogues, and it shows. So cold. So twisted. You're not even a shadow of our Jane-not a strand of her hair." I didn't answer. I was too busy choking down blood, trying not to spit it out again. Then came the final blow. Jack-my own pup-pushed me away. "I thought you changed! But you're still mean!" "T don't like you anymore, Mommy!" He ran to Jane, burying his face in her lap. ---- "T want Auntie Jane to be my real mommy!" And just like that-my soul cracked. Iclenched my fists so tightly, my nails pierced my palms. Warm blood oozed between my fingers. I didn't care. Tears streamed down my face. Quiet. Endless. Gary wiped one away, his voice soft but full of blame. "Now you know what betrayal feels like, don't you?" "That ache in your chest-that's what you gave us." He stood. His voice turned cold. "Our pack is in danger. Jane's reputation is in ruins. You're going to fix this. You'll apologize." I tried to speak-to say it wasn't me. But Jane's soft sobs drowned me out. ---- "Forget it, Gary... Sister keeps hurting me. If we force her to apologize again, she'll only resent me more." "T don't know why she hates me... but for the good of the pack, I'll forgive her." My mother cradled Jane like a precious gem. "You're too kind. Don't worry-we won't let her hurt you again." Then she turned to me, eyes like ice. "For the sake of the Black clan's name, we've madea decision." "You and Gary will sever your bond tomorrow. He'll claim Jane." "We'll tell the pack they were mates all along-and you were just a poor, sick wolf he took pity on." I stared at Gary. "You agree to this?" He looked away. ---- "There's no other choice. You brought this on yourself. But don't worry-it's only temporary. I'll break our bond once the storm passes." I looked at him. Ihad no words left. Maybe my silence made him uneasy. Maybe he saw it as rebellion. He scowled. "Whether you like it or not-it's happening." I lifted my chin. Smiled faintly. "Congratulations... on your bonding."