Chapter 3

My mother’s condition had finally stabilized after the treatment. Once I arranged our departure, I returned to the Stoneclaw Pack’s territory to collect my belongings.

Most of all, I needed the ceremonial gown my mother had sewn for me, the one she’d wanted me to wear for the bonding ceremony beneath the moonlight. I planned to mend it before we left, to carry it away unharmed.

When I stepped into the familiar room, I found Logan tending to Leah, dabbing herbal salve on her cheek, the mark from when I slapped her.

Once, that sight might’ve made my blood boil.

Now, I just felt… nothing.

The second Logan noticed me, he jerked away from her. For a moment, I caught the hatred flash across Leah’s face before she hid it again.

“You’re here?” Logan asked, pretending to sound surprised. “So Mrs. Hart is doing better?”

I didn’t bother answering. I just ignored them both and went straight to the oak box on the table.

Relief filled me until I opened it.

Inside lay shredded silk. My dress. Torn apart. Claw marks ripped through the fabric.

Hot tears burned my eyes. I’d worn it twelve times before, always whole. Now it was nothing but ruins.

“What happened? Who did this?!”

Leah covered her face, sobbing. “I’m sorry, Alison… I didn’t mean to ruin it.”

Logan instantly stepped behind her, shielding her.

“Don’t frighten her! It wasn’t even the final gown. We can have another made. A better one. She just snagged it while taking it off. The fabric’s delicate, and she didn't know better.”

I slapped him, and unlike with Leah, this time it was hard.

“You know that gown was sewn by my mother while she was suffering from the curse! Delicate? I wore it twelve times without a single tear. She wears it once and it’s destroyed? You call this an accident? Look at this piece right here. She has done it on purpose. Are you still going to defend her? ”

He tried to keep his voice calm. “Maybe she lost control, her emotions got the better of her. She’s young, Alison. Her illness makes her unstable. Can’t you show mercy? Over a dress? We’re supposed to be a family. Don’t let this tear us apart before we even begin.”

I clenched my fists until I felt my nails cut skin.

“Family?” I hissed. “The biggest mistake of my life was ever loving you. And if this dress shows who you truly are…good. I’m done with this relationship.”

And as always, Leah collapsed, shaking, tears streaming down her face. She dragged her nails down her arms until blood welled up beneath them.

“It’s my fault! I can’t control it! I ruin everything! My brother loves you so much, Alison. Please don’t hate him because of me! I’ll leave! I was adopted, I don’t belong here! I don't want to ruin your future.”

She lunged toward the jagged edge of the stone fireplace.

“Leah!” Logan shouted, panicked. “Stop! What are you doing?”

Her expression was blank, almost peaceful.

“As long as I live, I’m a danger,” she whispered. “Only death will free me from it.”

She charged forward.

Logan screamed, grabbing for her.

“No! No one blames you! You’re my sister! You’re family! Alison won’t care!”

Then he turned to me, wild-eyed.

“Alison, say something!”

I met his gaze, cold as frost.

“That’s your family’s problem. I’m not part of it.”

I picked up the broken box and turned to leave.

He lunged and slapped me. The sound cracked through the air. My face was stinging from the impact.

“You’re heartless! That’s a life, Alison! Is a damn dress really worth this?!”

He didn’t even look back as he pulled Leah into his arms.

“It’s okay, Leah. I’ve handled it. I promise, if you don’t want this, it won’t happen. Not until you’re ready.”

Leah buried her face in his chest, and as he wasn't seeing her face, her lips twisted into a small, triumphant smirk, the kind only a winner wears after checkmating the king.

Finally, Logan turned toward me again, guilt flashing in his eyes.

“You have to understand that this situation was urgent. You were too cold. Thank the moons nothing worse happened.”

I tasted blood, my own, or maybe a memory of my mother gasping for breath.

I slapped him back, harder. He was crossing a line.

“Urgent? You want to talk about urgent? My mother’s curse flared up because of her! Wasn’t that urgent enough for you?”

My voice broke, but I didn’t stop.

“She altered the engagement invites. She attacked me in wolf form. She desecrated my father’s memorial. And every time, you defended her. Are only your lives sacred? Is mine worthless? Was my mother’s life worthless?”

I grabbed my bag, ready to leave. I couldn't stand this anymore.

He tried to catch my wrist, desperate to explain, but Leah clung to his arm, holding him in place.

He sighed, helpless.

“Leah needs constant care,” he said quietly. “I’ll visit Mrs. Hart when I can.”