NE'

u and Leon?" Matthew demand

ary look. "It's none of your business, Matthew.

icion and anger evident wi

you're conspiring with our en

tened, but I forced m

ate at night approving documents for Gerard pack, you wer

rrassment flash across his f

tever I do now is beyond your control. Maybe take a look

aut with rage. For a moment, it seemed he

, it won't succeed. You'l

conceal my partnership with Leon

holding his gaze. "Leon has always hated your pack.

mile. "You're smarter than I thought,

t raced. He stood there, rubbing his chin wit

thew? Or are you just here t

ace me. "Thea wants you to move out

r me. "Thea? She has no rig

" Matthew said coldly. "T

struggling to keep

y career, my independence, my happiness. And no

Don't be foolish, Irene. Everything you have is what I gave you. But

butions. I couldn't let his negativity consume me. The house wa

ay me a settle

ndifferent. "You'll get your divor

want the house. It should be the sole pr

shed with anger, b

Any future meetings with Maria will require prior app

he suddenly go insane? That moment, I

of my life, Matthew. My mother i

y enjoying the pow

r leave it. You mustn't step y

him control me any longer, but I needed the ho

"I'll agree to your terms. But don't

eyes gleaming with triumph. "

but I couldn't let h

emember this: I will not be broken. I will

oor, glancing back at m

ld back my tears. Never in my life did I

l to Maria, my mother and inform her that I had been expelled from the wolf pack and woul

ough the halls, I tried to steel myself for the conversation ahead. Maria had alway

s sitting up in bed, her frail hands clutching the blanket. The sight of her vulnera

wrong?" she a

ath, trying to ke

d from the pack. I'll be

g but concern and worry. "

always felt guilty about Thea after my stepfather passed away. Maria had always carried a heavy burden of guilt, feeling she ha

tight hug. In that moment, all my strength and pretense crumbled. I buried my face in her shoul

ered, soothing my almost frayed nerves. "

and reached into a small drawer beside her bed. She took out a deli

es between her and the necklace,

aid softly. "I want you to have it. It'll serve as a reminder t

in my hand, a tangible connection to a past I knew so little about. Perhaps, it was high time I asked for details ab

full story?" Luke mouthed,