Chapter 4

Tears silently slipped down my cheeks. I already knew that Rex, Dad, and Jonah had always been on Lisa's side. I was ready to walk away from them all.

But when those filthy truths came spilling from Lisa's mouth, it still felt like something had sunk its teeth into my chest, tearing me open until I could barely breathe.

"Do you really think Mom died just because she gave birth to you?"

As Lisa spoke, she pulled a cloth bundle from inside her pocket. Inside were dozens of silver needles.

My breath hitched.

What was she getting at?

"When you were born, Dad and Jonah wouldn't stop holding you. They kept going on about how you looked just like Mom. They said they'd give you the softest cloaks in the pack, the sweetest berries, and the best of everything."

Suddenly, her voice rose an octave, dripping with spite. "Why? Before you came along, I was their one and only! That night, I snuck into Mom's cabin and put out all the coals.

"I wanted to know if they would still love you the same way if Mom didn't make it through the night."

It felt like thunder struck my skull, leaving cracks in its wake. I started shaking all over. So Mom's death hadn't been some tragic accident during labor.

Lisa, just five years old at the time, had already been capable of something so cruel.

"See?" Lisa grinned wider, flashing those fangs of hers. "They blamed you for everything, cast you out, and handed me all their love. It's just the way I wanted it to be."

"Lisa, aren't you afraid I'll tell Dad and Jonah everything?"

My voice shook so badly that I could barely speak.

I used to think she was just a spoiled brat. But I now saw her for what she really was—a venomous snake.

"So what if you do?" Lisa let out a low, chilling laugh. She grabbed one of the silver needles. "They'll just think you've lost your mind from jealousy."

I felt the cold sting of the needle sink into my arm. She went straight for the softest spots, jabbing one after another. Every puncture landed deep, sharp pain shooting straight to my bones.

I screamed, throwing every last ounce of strength I had into breaking free. The vines around my wrists finally snapped.

The moment I hit the floor, I curled in on myself, arms wrapped tight around my belly, my back pressed flat against the cold floor. I couldn't let anything happen to the pup.

Through the blinding pain, I heard Lisa shriek and drop to the floor, clutching her wrist like it'd been shattered.

The door slammed open, and Rex came rushing in.

"Rex, don't be mad at Lily." Lisa sobbed, her eyes red and brimming with tears. "I hurt her by accident, so she got mad and pushed me…"

Rex's brows pulled together at once. He turned to me with a look full of disapproval. "Lily, how could you lay a hand on Lisa?"

I tried to speak, but a sharp cramp tore through my belly, so brutal that it sent a wave of darkness over my vision. I couldn't get a single word out.

Rex didn't even notice how pale I'd gone. He bent down, scooped Lisa up, and started for the door.

"I'm taking Lisa to the healer," he said.

I didn't move until his footsteps disappeared beyond the cabin. Then, I pushed myself up, using the stone wall to steady myself.

My hands were shaking as I pulled the silver needles out of my arm, one by one, and smeared some salve to stop the bleeding.

I stared out the doorway into the dark, heavy night.

It was already the second day. There was only one more to go.

Once the Moon Pact took effect, I'd leave with my pup and never set foot in this blood-soaked, lie-ridden place again.