Chapter 4

In three days, I'd be gone from here for good.

I spent the next few days preparing to leave, and not one of them noticed.

They were too busy getting ready for Ayla and Raphael's mating ceremony. My father checked the guest list three times, and my mother went through Ayla's jewelry and gowns again and again, afraid the smallest mistake would ruin her big day.

No one cared what I was doing.

But the night before I was due to leave, my mother surprised me by knocking on my door.

She sat down beside me with a plate of macarons and spoke warmly. "Elena, I've been so busy with your sister lately, we haven't really talked.

"I made these macarons myself. I remember they used to be your favorite. Try one."

I looked at the plate of macarons and, despite myself, felt a little moved. So she does remember...

But just as I reached for one, my mother suddenly said, "Elena, where's that diamond necklace your grandfather left you?"

I froze and looked at her, confused.

"Here's the thing. Your sister says that necklace would go nicely with her gown, and she'd like to borrow it.

"And she says it would be like having your grandfather right there with her on her big day. So..."

"So you want me to hand the necklace over to her too, right?" I scoffed, eyeing the macarons she'd brought.

Her so-called warmth had just been another way to make me give in.

But that necklace was the only thing my grandfather had left me before he died. There was no way I'd give it up.

I stood up and said coldly, "Grandpa left that necklace to me. I'm not giving it to anyone. Leave."

My mother paused and frowned. "Elena, your sister just wants to borrow it. It's such a small favor. You won't even do that for her?"

"That's right. I won't." I looked at her and spoke slowly, stressing every word. "She doesn't deserve anything of mine!"

Just then, Ayla appeared in the doorway on Raphael's arm. At my words, she collapsed against him, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Elena, how can you say that about me... I know you still blame me for taking Raphael, but I just want my one wish to come true before I die. Is that so wrong?"

As she spoke, she covered her mouth and started coughing, like she might faint at any second.

Raphael held her tight, looking worried. "Ayla! Ayla, are you okay?!

"Enough, Elena. When did you get so heartless!" He looked up at me, bitterly disappointed.

At some point, my father had followed them upstairs. He looked at me without a word, motioned for his men to restrain me, and began searching the room.

They quickly found a box in the wardrobe. Inside was the necklace my grandfather had left me!

"No! Father, Grandpa left that to me. You can't do this!"

But my father just gave me a cold glance, picked up the necklace, walked over to Ayla, and put it around her neck himself.

I watched it all happen and finally broke down, screaming through my tears. "Why! Why are you doing this to me!

"I hate you!"

At that, my father, who'd been silent the whole time, spun around and slapped me hard across the face!

"Shut up. How did I ever raise such a selfish daughter!

"You'll stay right here and think about what you've done until you learn your lesson!"

The slap knocked me off balance. My ears rang, and it was a long time before my head cleared.

Raphael frowned and instinctively moved to help me up, but a few moans from Ayla pulled him back. He scooped her up and hurried downstairs.

My mother looked back at me. Something like pity flickered in her eyes, but in the end, she said nothing and left.

As I watched them go, the last of my attachment to this family vanished.

I had no idea how long I'd been sitting there when my phone lit up with a message: the Greyhaven pack's car was waiting at the gate.

I slowly got up off the floor, pulled the suitcase I'd already packed out from under the bed, and went downstairs.

Dawn was just breaking outside. The whole estate was eerily quiet. I dragged my suitcase to the door without a sound.

A car bearing the Greyhaven crest was waiting there. Someone from the pack took my luggage and said warmly:

"Ms. Ainsley, on behalf of the Greyhaven pack, welcome."

"Thank you."

I took one last look at the estate, then got into the car. I didn't look back as we drove away.

From that day on, I'd have nothing to do with them.