Chapter 21

Emerald

The cabin was at the very edge of the territory, a place where the trees grew so thick they choked out the sun. It was perfect. It was a tomb above ground.

My parents tried to stay. They brought soup that went cold and blankets I kicked to the floor. They tried to hold me, but my skin would crawl until I was screaming, scratching at my own arms to get their "comfort" off me. Eventually, the look of pure, agonizing failure on my father’s face became too much for him to bear. They retreated to the small guest shed fifty yards away, leaving me in the main cabin to rot in peace.

But I wasn't alone. I had the memories.

Every night, the walls would close in. I could feel Mazz’s breath. I could hear Matthew’s voice telling the pack Natasha was his mate. The two sounds merged into a symphony of betrayal that played on loop.

I started with the glass from a broken picture frame.

I didn't do it to die, not at first. I did it because the physical sting was the only thing loud enough to dr