ra's

ed us outside for collective labor. They called it

es for the factory. The smell of fabric dust filled the air. The clic

ms straight, tried not to draw attention. A nurse leaned down and ask

s all i

, thin whip coiled in her hand. The whip she use

e you distracting the nurse?

kly. "I was only ans

ir and slashed across my shoulder. Pain burned

lip to st

trembled, but I forced my eyes t

the noise of sewing machines. But when I

beyond the fence,

lver Moon Wolf Clan

eight even from far away. For a heartbeat I thought I w

hunger and exhaustion, couldn't hold me upright anymore. The ground tilted,

throbbed, my limbs heavy, but I was alive.

ly, like he was crossing a task off a list. "You will be

g on the bed. "Pack your

I folded the few belongings I owned

chiatric hospital, sunlight h

sleek black sedan with his arm

d as he was here to pick me up and looking at me lik

weak?" he muttered as I staggered f

ong padded walls and needle-proud doctors, that s

tively refused. His scent, familiar, like pinewood, sharp and

ict in his eyes, but he didn't press. He onl

though my chest ached.

ds tast

strength in my blood

for him to take his last breath hours later, the mourning

ne. My parents suddenly took me back. They welco

it meant something

lly wit

he one I looked up to. The

n. A storm had rolled in, and the pack house was

er of the meal I had cooked myself, hoping it would

oaked, waiting for him to come out. My wolf stirre

eeting my eyes. He didn't say a word. Not even a simple "thank you

every cold glance, I told myself it was fine. If I worked a little h

was

I stood in a cour

er oath to defend Helen, the little she-wol

frowning like I w

Finally Alpha Keith cleared his throat. "Ever

t, but my heart pulsed with quiet rage

ere not my parents. They we

uth ti

tense, refusing to take eve

as he stepped closer

to make anyone forget what you did?" he said. "Vicky's still l

ike a blow, sha

is voice lowered, fille

g her in a vegetative state. And you even tried to frame Helen. After five years lo

a scolding Alpha discipl

hospital erased your guilt. Your debt

her step, vo

ll owe Helen

ing my wrist with the same commanding grip he used in tr

hrough clenched teeth. "Get in the

door. He stepped into the car, closin

ward, Alpha Keith fin

mega wolf. "You've just gotten out. Don't cause trouble. And control your te

n't a

rned, "You don't know how much stress you've caused. Dad an

lips curle

said calmly, my voice steady, even though the

a careless shrug. "Father was handling important matters. You know how much resp

unded practiced. But I wasn't interested in arguing with h

silence. My gaze stayed fixed o

ne subject I hated because Father demanded it. My legs ached, m

le things. Every year they went unanswered. Hele

used to thei

me. My silence seemed to push hi

rawn. You should learn from Helen. She is lively. She brings

ed heavier tha

on calm, but insid

tepped out of the car and looked a

wasn't the same girl who