LOGINThis time, even Lesley couldn't hold himself together.When he looked at me, there was regret in his eyes.It was almost funny. I never thought someone as proud as him would one day lower his head like that.Judy was shoved to the ground. Malcolm's shouting and blows followed, one after another. Not wanting to hear her shrill begging anymore, I took Gloria's hand. "Let's go. Someone else will handle the rest."-The fallout was huge.To regain my father's trust, the Mistbound Pack leader personally ordered Judy's execution.She had nearly caused four deaths across two bodies. Paying with her own life was a bargain, if anything.Malcolm and his entire family were erased from the clan records. They were driven out and mocked wherever they went.With his frail health, Malcolm probably didn't have many years left anyway. These punishments wouldn't torment him for long. If anything, he got off easy.As for Lesley and Eddie, they started showing up every few days, begging for for
"Either way, I needed the medicine," Judy said through tears. "I pretended to be sick so you'd think about me more. You're both so busy. I was scared you'd forget me."She probably never imagined that the Dixon brothers would actually marry Gloria and me just for a cure and just to make her jealous.And this was where that decision led us.The truth was out. And yet, Judy still insisted that our children's deaths had nothing to do with her.She said she had never been cherished like that before. All she wanted was to spend a little more time with Lesley and Eddie. She swore she would never do something so cruel as to hurt their children.Seeing her crying and backing down, Lesley softened.Eddie, though, stayed where he was. He looked at her like she was a stranger.I clapped slowly."Nice performance," I said. "But did you forget who I am? I'm the daughter of the chief healer. I grew up learning medicine. Do you really think everyone you sent would die exactly the way you wa
My father was respected across the pack.He personally took the bracelet to the one in charge of the Mistbound Pack.The stones on the bracelet were distinctive. Outsiders couldn't possibly own it. With one look, the pack leader confirmed it belonged to their people. He checked the clan records and finally traced the pattern to a specific offshoot.His face tightened."The pack has countless branches. The Savages split off more than 100 years ago. Any blood ties are long diluted."It was the truth. And it was also him trying to distance himself as much as possible.No one wanted to anger my father over a discarded branch from a century ago.Then he added, "The number of cloud markings around the pattern shows the owner's rank. There are only three here. That means whoever owned it held very low status among the Savages. That makes this much harder to manage."My father understood exactly what he meant."You may have many matters to oversee, and you can't control every corn
Gloria paced the room a few times, unable to sit still.Finally, she said, "If Judy didn't find what she was looking for, she'll make another move. Soon."I knew she was right.I ordered the servants to haul the bodies from the courtyard and take them down the mountain before dawn.When the sky first lightened, the Dixon state was still eerily quiet. The bloodstained corpses were laid out in the yard.Gloria and I stood off to the side, calmly watching the two men who had once been our husbands.Lesley's expression darkened."What's this supposed to mean?" he demanded. "You think I sent people to kill you?"Judy had already heard the commotion. She stood not far away, watching closely.I met her gaze. "Of course not. But the people who tried to kill me are definitely connected to the Dixons."I motioned to the servants, who pulled open the attackers' collars. Near their hearts, each of them bore a scar. It looked like a mark left by a specialized instrument.It had been trea
Judy was betting that even if Lesley and Eddie uncovered the truth, they wouldn't lay a hand on her. They might even protect her, help her wash away suspicion.So, she wanted the evidence from me, a backup plan for herself.But I had already seen through how rotten they all were. There was no way I would give her what she wanted.I watched Judy trembling, barely able to stand. I let myself enjoy it for a moment.Then, I pulled the conversation back where it belonged."Now, sever the bonds."Gloria stepped up beside me. "That's right. Do it now."Lesley still tried to stall. "This is suspicious. I'll get to the bottom of this. The Dixons have a reputation. If both Eddie and I sever our bonds at the same time, people will talk. We need to be more careful about this. Acting on impulse will damage our standing."My father took one step forward, his voice cold and sharp."You talk about reputation. What about the Binders' reputation? My two daughters were grievously wronged here, a
Eddie hadn't even finished speaking when Gloria walked in with my father."What kind of fantasy are you living in?" Gloria snapped. "Did you forget I sent you a bond severance letter, too?"Eddie stared at her, eyes blown wide. "Where's your baby? You weren't even here that day."Gloria had never been as patient as I was. She immediately exploded."If I hadn't been here, Margot would've been beaten to death! You two heartless men! We sent servants to look for you over and over. And what were you doing? Helping someone move freaking plants!"Lesley and Eddie clenched their jaws, their expressions twisting."So it was real," Lesley said stiffly. "Someone actually dared to touch the Dixons."Eddie slowly let go of Judy. Lesley stopped looking at her altogether and finally turned his eyes on me.It was the first time in all these days that they ignored the "weak" Judy.My father's face was dark as he opened his medical kit. He gently spread ointment across my swollen cheek."When







