---- Chapter 4 Gary froze. My words landed like a slap-not loud, but final. He stared at me, dumbfounded. I saw the confusion in his eyes. Fear, even. Like he couldn't recognize me anymore. Like I had become a stranger. Maybe I had. Maybe I was nothing more than a weightless sheet of paper now-ready to be carried away by the wind, out of his reach forever. Slowly, my wolf pushed herself up, legs trembling. I leaned against the wall, wiped the blood from my face with the back of my hand, and looked at my mother. "He never claimed me," I said calmly. She blinked. "You... weren't marked?" ---- Gary's face turned ashen. "We were busy. Things kept coming up," he muttered. My mother clapped her hands in delight. "Perfect! That saves us the trouble." My pup, Jack, looked at me nervously. "So... does that mean Aunt Jane is going to be my new mommy?" Ismiled at him-gently. My wolf was calm now. She wouldn't be hurt again. "Yes," I said softly. "Are you happy?" His face lit up. "yay! That's awesome! Auntie Jane's going to be my mommy!" Then, as if remembering something very important, he added quickly, "But... Mommy-uh, I mean, Auntie Nadia-as long as you don't bully Aunt Jane anymore, I'll still like you. ---- I lowered my gaze and whispered, "Okay." Jane, of course, was glowing with joy. Tears welled in her eyes. "Sister... you're really letting us be together?" Inodded. "Yes, And you don't have to call me 'Sister' anymore." She turned to Gary with a bashful smile, her voice trembling with delight. But Gary wasn't smiling. He was staring at me. Brows furrowed. Expression unreadable. Something in him had shifted. His gaze lingered too long-like he was lost. Like he was seeing me for the first time.