Chapter 2

Wyatt instantly let go of Valerie, his hand snapping around my wrist like a vice.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble? I kept Valerie out of sight all day because of your little tantrum, just to appease you."

"Do you have any idea what a crucial opportunity Valerie lost to prove herself? Of course you don't!"

Another claim that this was all for my sake.

Was it really for me, or was it to protect his precious Beta from the threat of gossip?

He continued his performance. "You show no remorse. Instead, you keep pushing, slandering the pure bond between Valerie and me. If word of this gets out, how will the other packs see me? How will they respect my authority?"

"You have disappointed me beyond words. Apologize to Valerie. Now." The force of his Alpha command slammed into my mind, demanding my submission.

"Let go of me!"

I tried to wrench my wrist free, but he only tightened his grip, the pressure leaving red marks on my skin.

I couldn't take it anymore. I raised my hand and slapped him, hard, across the face.

"I said, let go of me!"

The sound of the slap echoed through the infirmary.

Everyone froze.

Wyatt clutched his cheek, staring at me in utter disbelief. Rory's half-shifted form went rigid. Even Valerie stopped her fake sobbing.

We had known each other for ten years, been mated for seven, and weathered countless wolfish conflicts.

But to strike an Alpha in front of others… this was a first.

I ripped my hand from his grip and shot a venomous glare at everyone in the room.

"The Rejection ceremony is in three days," I said, my voice as still as a frozen lake. "If you refuse to cooperate, I will report this directly to the Elders' Council. I'll tell them exactly how you blasphemed against the sacred mark of the Moon Goddess."

"And if you dare say the word 'apologize' again, I will cripple that precious Beta of yours. Then, I'll come for you."

Wyatt's face went pale. "You're insane, Faye! The Council won't just laugh, they'll dismiss you for making a scene over nothing!"

"Then let's find out." I turned and began gathering my spilled herbs. "I'm sure the Elders will be very interested to learn that a great Alpha carved his Beta's sigil onto his mating mark."

I shook off his lingering touch, grabbed my herb pouch, and stormed out.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Rory suddenly roared behind me. "You think you can threaten my father?"

I didn't spare him a glance, heading straight for the door.

But Rory chased after me. "Stop right there! Aunt Valerie has bled for this pack! What right do you have to humiliate her?"

I didn't break my stride.

"I said, stop!"

He grabbed my shoulder, the immense strength of a young wolf yanking me backward.

My balance shattered, and I tumbled down the stone steps.

The back of my head struck a sharp stone, and blood gushed from the wound.

Pain blurred my vision as warm blood streamed down my forehead.

Wyatt instinctively ran toward me. "Faye!"

Panic flickered in his eyes, and he lurched toward me.

But then, a pained grunt sounded from behind him.

Valerie crumpled to the ground, clutching her arm. "My old wound..." she gasped, her face pale. "Rory's power surge… I think it aggravated it…"

Her voice was so weak it sounded as if it might snap, tears tracing paths down her cheeks.

Wyatt's charge came to an abrupt halt.

He froze, caught between us, his gaze darting from my bleeding head to her feigned injury. I could see the war raging in his eyes.

A mere three-second hesitation.

I was bleeding profusely, my blood staining the steps.

She was just moaning and clutching her arm.

The next second, without another thought, he spun around and strode to Valerie, helping her to her feet.

"Let me see where it hurts." His voice was sickeningly gentle as his hand brushed her shoulder. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Rory rushed over as well. "Aunt Valerie, are you okay? It's all my fault, I can't control my strength!"

"It's not your fault…" Valerie leaned weakly into Wyatt's arms. "I just didn't expect it to hurt so much…"

I leaned against the cold stone wall, watching the absurd scene unfold.

The three of them formed a perfect little circle, a family. And I was on the outside, bleeding.

They were the real family.

I was bleeding out on the stone steps, and he was worried his Beta had a scratch.

The blood was still flowing, but my heart was already dead.

This was the man I had loved for a decade.

The family I had given everything for.

It was a good thing I could rely on myself. I focused my power, staunching the blood flow, and slowly pushed myself to my feet.

I looked Rory directly in the eyes and said, enunciating each word.

"You've always wanted Valerie to be your mother, haven't you? Fine. I'll grant your wish. From this moment on, she is your only mother."

Ignoring their stunned faces, I got in my car and drove to the pack infirmary on the edge of our territory.