Chapter 3

By the time I finished packing, it was dark. The sounds of the party drifted up from downstairs.

I hadn't planned to go down, but I was worn out and sore and needed something to eat, so I went to the fridge. Its cold light fell on my face while colored party lights swayed behind me.

I'd barely opened it when I heard someone laughing.

"Isn't this the brave warrior heading off to face the Thornwood trial?"

"Nope. Lillian signed up for Thornwood to clear her head after she got dumped."

A few she-wolves surrounded me, looking me up and down with smug smiles.

"She had a boyfriend and still messed around with other males. No wonder she got dumped."

Garrett, Payton, and Elvin had all chosen to protect me. How does that make me promiscuous?

I snorted and tried to walk around them.

But they weren't done with me.

"What's with the attitude?" One of them bared her teeth. "Are we wrong? You've got a few Gammas backing you up, and you think that makes you a warrior?"

She raised her eyebrows and gave me a sneer that made my skin crawl.

She lowered her voice and leaned close to my ear. "They're all on June's side now. Who's going to pay any attention to you?"

I was shaking with rage.

They stayed clustered around me as more people gathered to watch.

Over their shoulders, I saw June telling Payton and Garrett where to move the sofa. Elvin stood nearby with his lips pressed together, choosing dance songs and glancing at them with a smile. Red and green lights flashed across his face.

They really were all "on June's side."

And none of them was "paying any attention" to me.

Then Elvin caught my eye. For a moment, I hoped he'd help, but he only frowned and stayed where he was.

In the past, whenever someone claimed I relied on them to get by, Elvin's face would darken in an instant.

Now I was surrounded, and he acted like he didn't see it.

June looked up, followed his gaze, and hurried over.

"It's my party. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

A few she-wolves teased her. "June, she won't even take pictures for you, and you're still sticking up for her?"

June teared up at once.

Payton rushed over and shielded June behind him. "Lillian, if you're angry, take it out on us. Don't pick on June."

Before I could speak, a she-wolf behind me "accidentally" spilled her drink all over me. The icy cranberry liquor soaked my shirt, and dark red liquid ran down my hair.

Laughter exploded around me.

"Oops, sorry. My hand slipped."

I stood frozen.

I'd never felt so unwelcome in my life.

This was the pack I'd grown up in... and I wasn't welcome here.

My heart sank. I couldn't say another word.

The noise finally brought Elvin over, his brow furrowed. He looked around, but after a long pause, all he said was, "Go change your clothes."

Payton patted June's shoulder. She took the hint, hooked her arm through mine, and tried to lead me away.

My eyes stung as tears rose.

I pulled my arm free. I could walk on my own.

It was only a small tug.

But June flew backward and slammed into the wall with a loud bang.

The huge oil painting on the wall shook, came loose, and fell straight toward June!

Elvin covered the distance in a few strides and pulled June into his arms.

Broken glass sprayed across his back and scattered on the floor.

"I didn't mean to." I went pale with fear and stepped back without thinking. "I barely touched her."

But Elvin glared daggers at me.

Garrett stood nearby, fury blazing in his eyes. "Lillian, June meant well. How could you do this! Are you still mad that we asked you to take pictures of her?"

"I barely touched her!" I was so hurt that my voice shook.

I glared at June, angry and frustrated. "Say something! Did I push you hard or not?"

The living room went quiet at once.

All that was left was the crackle of the fire in the fireplace.

Everyone's eyes landed on June.

Her eyes were red and her lashes fluttered. Her sweet voice seemed laced with poison. "I believe that if I give Lily a little more time, she'll come around and be my friend."

She looked so innocent, as if she were the real victim.

Garrett shoved me away in a rage. I hit the floor with a thud.

Glass shards sliced my palm, but my heart hurt worse. Drops of blood welled up and mingled with the cranberry liquor on the floor until I couldn't tell them apart.

Payton came over with bandages and antiseptic, but he walked right past me and crouched in front of June.

The people around us were already whispering.

"See? I told you Lily's always picking on June."

"Besides those three, who could ever get along with Lily?"

"Her warrior training scores might be good, but as a friend? Who'd want to hang out with her?"

Their words hit me like a punch.

It was true that I didn't fit in.

But I'd never hurt anyone either.

Is it a crime not to fit in?

Bitterness welled up inside me, but I couldn't shed a single tear.

I picked up the painting and hugged it to my chest. None of them remembered that it was the last portrait my father had painted of me before he died.

Right then, I almost wished Mom and Dad had taken me to heaven with them.

Then I wouldn't have to be this lonely.