I had barely taken two steps toward the door when Flora's voice sliced through the tension, sweet as poison. "Oh, look at that. She's running away again."

I stopped. Not because I wanted to, but because I knew how this pack worked. Leaving was never that easy. My forehead still burned where the wolfsbane had blistered my skin.

"I'm not running," I said, voice rough. "I'm leaving. There's nothing left for me here except scars."

Flora tilted her head, all mock innocence. "Scars? Please. You think you're the only one who's been hurt? Spare us the drama, Janice."

"I was in my room," I said, every word sharp. "With my daughter. We were getting ready for her birthday. Remember that, Flora? Her birthday. And they ruined it."

Vincent stepped forward, like he'd practiced this moment. "We just wanted her to look nice. Like Mom used to. You didn't have to scream like that. You pushed me and Haley."

He pulled up his sleeve, revealing a red mark on his arm. "We didn't know it was wolfsbane. It wasn't our fault."

The silence that followed wasn't kind.

"Poor Vincent," someone muttered.

"Ungrateful woman," another whispered. "Always playing the victim."

"Is this really about a dress, Janice?" Jacob asked, voice calm but cold. "A little irritation? Or were you just trying to ruin Vincent's ceremony?"

"This isn't about the dress," I said. "This is about the fact that your children threw wolfsbane at me. And my daughter, our daughter, was caught in it."

"She shouldn't have been here," Flora said casually, like she was talking about a stray mutt.

"She lives here," I snapped. "This is her home."

Jacob's voice hardened. "This is a packhouse. And Lina is not of the Silver Blood pack."

"She was mine and your child, Jacob. You marked me. You told me I was going to be your Luna. You said we'd raise her together."

He said nothing.

"And now you stood there and pretended my child didn't exist while I was forced to raise yours? You called me family when it suited you, and a rogue when it didn't."

His jaw flexed, but he stayed silent.

"You wanted me to care for them, protect them, love them. Even now, you wanted me to smile and stand beside a boy who burned me. But my child?" My voice cracked. "You treated her like she wasn't even yours."

He finally spoke. "You knew what was at stake. If the Elders found out she was born outside the bond—"

"The Elders?" I laughed bitterly. "You rejected me after Hannah died. Then you came back, crawled into my bed when no one was watching. You wanted tradition when it protected you. But you broke it the moment you touched me again."

"You owed Hannah your life," Flora snapped. "Those children were all she left behind. They were yours, whether you liked it or not. And who knows? Maybe Lina wasn't even Jacob's. You were with other men before—"

I slapped her. Hard.

"Lina is Jacob's daughter," I said, steady and clear. "And those children? They're not my pups. I didn't birth them. I didn't choose them. I took care of them because I made a vow to the Moon Goddess. But that vow didn't say I had to be your pack's slave."

Flora stared, speechless.

I turned, scooped Lina into my arms, her small body trembling with quiet sobs, and started toward the door. But Jacob blocked the way.

"You think walking out changes anything?" he growled. "You carried my bloodline in that child. That tied you to this pack, whether you liked it or not."

"Oh, now bloodline mattered?" I fired back. "Then raise her. Protect her. Claim her. Or were you only proud of the children born under ceremony?"

He didn't respond.

"You told me we'd be mates again. That once things settled, you'd announce it. You said I'd be Luna."

"You knew we couldn't do that now," he muttered.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "No. You wouldn't. Because claiming me meant admitting you broke a sacred bond. That you slept with your rejected mate. That you hid your own daughter from your pack."

His eyes darkened. "You'll still attend the ceremony. Vincent was about to be named Alpha Heir. You would stand beside him."

Two guards stepped forward. I adjusted Lina in my arms and looked between them, heart pounding. "If I refused?"

Jacob didn't blink. "Then the Elders would hear everything. About your pregnancy. About your exile. About your return. You'd be labeled rogue again. And Lina?" His voice turned icy. "She'd be taken into the care of the Silver Blood pack. For her own protection."

The room went dead silent.

Flora smiled.

And for the first time, I realized, they weren't letting me walk away. Not without a price. My fingers tightened around Lina. I could feel her heartbeat. I could feel mine. I knew they wouldn't treat her fairly. They weren't even doing it while I was still here.

I could only compromise.

I walked beside Vincent toward the ceremonial grounds. The wound from the wolfsbane still burned, but I feigned strength because Jacob had made it clear that if I didn't obey, I would lose Lina.

Vincent carried himself like a young king, his golden eyes bright with self-importance, his spine rigid with pride. As we passed through the crowd, murmurs rose like mist under the watchful moon.

"He already moves like an Alpha."

"Is that his mother with him?"

"No, that's his aunt. Janice."

"The same one who abuses him and his sister? Why is she even allowed up there?"

Vincent either didn't notice the whispers or relished them. He strutted up to the platform, basking in the attention.

I kept my eyes fixed forward, the sting of their words pressing against my chest like stones. But I remained quiet. Any reaction would be seen as guilt. Any emotion would become another weapon used against me. I was there because I had no other choice.

At the edge of the gathering, I spotted Lina standing near Flora. Her wide eyes flicked between faces, restless and uncertain. She didn't wave. She didn't smile. She merely watched, mute and motionless, understanding that even a whisper of defiance could earn her punishment.

The priest, robed in ceremonial black and silver, raised his hands to quiet the assembly.

"Tonight, under the eye of the moon, the heir of Alpha Jacob comes of age. Let the pack bear witness as Vincent takes his place among us."

Applause rolled through the crowd.

The priest turned to me. "Janice, guardian of the heir, remove the ceremonial shoes. Let him step forward into manhood."

I lowered myself, knees aching, and reached for Vincent's foot. Without hesitation, he crushed my injured hand beneath his heel. The pain ripped through me, sharp and hot. I swallowed the cry that surged to my throat as fresh blood soaked through the cloth. He stepped back just as quickly, leaving a wet crimson stain blooming beneath the bandage. He bowed to the audience, eliciting another round of cheers. The rite had ended.

I wanted to leave. But Jacob's gaze from the high seat pinned me in place. I followed the others into the banquet hall, each step hollow, each breath a slow act of endurance. Inside, laughter echoed from all sides. Toasts rang like chimes. Vincent sat at the head table, soaking in admiration. Haley, ever the loyal shadow, giggled beside him, twirling a butter knife between her fingers.

Across the room, Lina sat beside a young omega woman, untouched food before her. She never took her eyes off me. Even when her cup tipped and water spilled into her lap, she didn't flinch. I offered a small smile, to make her believe I was all right, even if I wasn't.

Then Katherine arrived.

Her entrance drew every eye. Without hesitation, she took the seat beside Jacob and placed a hand on his arm, as though it had always belonged to her. Haley beamed. "You're so pretty! I wish you were my mom."

Jacob gave a faint smile.

From across the table, Flora smirked. "Far better than those other women who bore stray pups."

I kept my expression neutral, though my knuckles whitened beneath the cloth napkin.

"I'll excuse myself," I said, rising as calmly as I could. "I need to use the restroom."

Outside, the air is a bit colder. My lungs expanded with relief as I took a few minutes to cool down, but it was short-lived. A sharp ‘thunk' broke the silence, followed by childish laughter. Curious and cautious, I followed the sound to the training yard.

And froze.

Vincent and his friends were playing a twisted game, arrows in hand, laughter echoing as they fired toward a living target I couldn't yet see. I moved closer and horror gripped me. I didn't know why she was there, but I found Lina stood against the far wall, arms bound behind her back, a crude chalk circle drawn around her head. Her small frame shook, barely upright.

Vincent raised his bow.

The arrow struck her shoulder.

She staggered, blood blooming beneath the torn fabric. The boys roared with laughter. One slapped Vincent on the back. But Lina didn't cry. She looked at him, eyes burning, and with a low snarl, rammed her wrists against the post. The rope snapped. She lunged forward and struck Vincent across the face. He stumbled back, stunned.

The boys closed in, shouting, grabbing, dragging her down.

That was when I moved.

"Get your hands off her!" I roared, seizing one of the boys and hurling him away. Lina clung to me as I shielded her, baring my teeth. "Touch her again and I'll—"

"Janice!" Jacob's voice thundered across the yard.

I turned. He stood at the entrance with Flora and Katherine beside him. Behind them, more wolves arrived, onlookers drawn by the commotion. Lina's blood soaked into my sleeves.

"What is going on here?!" Flora gasped, her voice exaggerated.

"She attacked him!" one boy shouted. "She hit Vincent!"

"She bit me!" Another cried, holding his wrist.

"She was the one tied up!" I snapped. "They used her for target practice. Vincent shot her. Look at her shoulder!"

"She provoked them," Flora said coldly. "That child is unstable. Just like her mother."

My nails dug into the dirt. I wanted to scream. But Lina trembled in my arms, anchoring me. Jacob's eyes swept the yard, Vincent rubbing his cheek, the other boys nursing small wounds. Then he looked at Lina.

"Take the boys to the healers. Their injuries need tending," he said. "And bring Lina to the west backroom. No chains."

"She needs a healer," I said, my voice shaking. "She's bleeding."

He turned to a guard. "See to her wound."

"And then?" I asked, rising to my feet, heart pounding.

Jacob's face remained unreadable. "Then I'll decide what punishment to give her."

As the guards stepped forward, Lina clutched my sleeve tighter. I glared at Jacob, fury rising like fire through my throat.

"Thank you," I said coldly. "I'll treat her wounds myself."

I immediately left, not minding their calls. Because I know if I stayed here one moment longer…, I wouldn't survive what I might do next.

"Am I going to die?"

Lina's voice was quiet, her face pale beneath the flickering lamplight. The wound on her shoulder still bled, crimson soaking into the bandages I hadn't yet applied. My hands froze mid-motion. For a breath, I couldn't speak.

"No," I said finally, steadying my voice. "I won't let them take you away. Ever."

I motioned her closer, heart clenched so tight I thought it might break. She obeyed without a word. Her back was straight. Her lips didn't tremble. Even with an arrow buried deep in her flesh, she didn't cry. She was stronger than anyone gave her credit for.

I soaked a cloth in boiled herbs and pressed it to the wound. She flinched but didn't make a sound. I blinked hard, keeping the tears at bay.

"They're never going to stop," I said. "Not until you're broken. Or I am."

The silence between us was thick, heavy with understanding. I tightened the bandage around her shoulder and forced myself to meet her eyes.

"We're leaving."

Lina looked up. "Really?"

"Yes. Once everyone is asleep tonight, we will leave. I've had enough. I can't stay here to be abused anymore. If I have to become rogue to keep you safe, then so be it."

She was quiet for a moment. Then she reached for my hand.

"I'm fine with that," she said. "As long as you're not the one getting hurt."

I nearly broke. The dam cracked inside me, tears welling as I pressed her hand to my lips. I didn't deserve her. But I'd protect her with everything I had left. I wrapped her wound as gently as I could, whispering my plan between sobs and grit.

"We'll wait for them to sleep. We'll run fast and far. Only the essentials. Just you and me."

Lina nodded, and perhaps her eyes shone with a different kind of light. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that Haley had been hidden close by. After hearing my words, she ran out to tell Jacob about my plan.

After treating Lina, I moved like a shadow through the halls, quiet and precise. I only took what mattered and a few important things I had brought from my old pack. Lina was wrapped in layers, her face pressed to my chest, silent. We waited until the fires dimmed and laughter faded.

We stepped into the night.

I had taken three steps past the rear gate when I heard him.

"You weren't planning to leave without saying goodbye, were you?"

It was Jacob. He stood just ahead, his arms crossed. A couple of strong Alpha Warriors were behind him, all towering over me. Jacob gave me a condescending look.

"You can leave, Janice," he said. "But she stays."

I pulled Lina closer. My fingers twitched toward a hidden pouch under my coat.

"Didn't I tell you earlier?" he continued. "If you want to leave, you can leave, but leave Lina behind. You have no right to take her away."

"And what else?" I said. "Treat her unfairly and let her be the punching bag of your ruthless children? I am taking her away because I want to protect her." I saw him dead in his eyes. "From you."

The air changed. Tension cracked like thunder between us.

"I won't say it again," Jacob warned. "You stay, and you can be with Lina. Or you leave and leave Lina with us."

I looked into Lina's eyes. She clung to me, silent, trusting. I turned back to him and saw only the arrogance and ego he had always shown. He knew I wouldn't be able to leave Lina behind. He knew that I would do everything for my daughter. Seeing that I wasn't moving, he signaled his men.

"Take the child," he ordered.

I moved before they did.

I flung the powder into the air. It exploded in a pale cloud that burned and stung upon touch. The warriors shouted, hands flying to their eyes, their skin blistering red. Jacob roared in pain, but I didn't wait.

I ran.

We tore through the trees, the wind biting at my skin, the leaves slashing across my arms. I didn't care. I ran until my lungs burned, until my legs screamed. Behind me, howls erupted. It seemed that Jacob was determined to drag me back. They were fast.

But I was faster.

We passed the outer fields. The scent of the border wall hit me like smoke. I didn't stop, despite seeing some of the wild wolves roaming around, not even when large piles of poisonous snakes threatened to bite me. Not until I found the edge of the forest where a high cliff was located.

I skidded to a halt, the edge crumbling beneath my boots. Below, the scenery was black, without a definite end, a strong gust of wind howling upward. One look was enough to tell that nobody would survive if they tried to jump. Then I heard branches crack behind me, and I turned to look.

Jacob stepped from the trees, his face bruised from the powder, his voice still calm but now laced with fury.

"This is your last chance," he said. "Kneel. Apologize. Come back. I'll forgive everything."

I held Lina tighter.

I looked at him. I had loved him once. But Jacob had not only betrayed me once but twice. I had been blinded by the love I thought he would give me. The bond we shared, despite not being blessed by the Elders, was a mark that had caged me in this damn place.

"No," I said.

And with determination, I stepped off the edge of the cliff.