I tighten my arms, realizing what’s happening.
“Mom—”
Selena cuts her daughter off, “They have different rules than humans.She thinks I wronged the pack.She thinks she deserves retribution.And unless someone makes her back down, she’ll keep taking her anger out on you.”The steady cadence of her voice cracks on that last word.
My head shakes in denial as I pull Zoey into my chest.I’ll never let anyone hurt her.She’s mine to keep safe.
Then, I see my mother, standing rigid with her arms crossed, glaring at Zoey’s mom.And I recognize the truth in the woman’s words.
Without a challenge, without a punishment, she’ll be free to continue tormenting Zoey.Maybe she was telling the truth when she said she never meant to hurt her.But she did.She hurt the woman I love.And she could easily do it again.
“Are you saying I should leave?”Zoey whispers the question, but everyone can hear it.
Selena shuts her eyes, as if pained, reacting to the devastation in her daughter’s words.And across the way, my mother smirks, as if everything she said about the Gunner women was true.
A red rage clouds my vision, and I turn my body, shielding Zoey from the toxic resentment.Then, shocking everyone in the alley, I let my furious growl tear from my throat, aiming a disgusted glare at my mother.
The woman is so bent on driving away what she views as dangerous that she would crush my happiness in the process.
And she flinches from me, eyes wide in shock.
But Zoey doesn’t cringe away.Instead, she turns in my hold, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist.Her gentle hands stroke my back as she mutters soothing noises.“Don’t worry.I’m not leaving.I was just asking for clarification.”
My heart clenches, but I keep my sight fixed on my mother, weighing my options.Every day Zoey stays in Pine Falls will be a day her safety is at risk.I can’t be with her every second to fight off subtle attacks or tricks.Even if I could, Zoey would hate it.The last thing she wants is an overprotective male shadowing every step she makes.
The other option is, I could challenge my mother.
Yet, even with anger raging through me, I can’t envision laying a hand on the woman who raised me.Who loves me.The idea makes me sick.
Needing guidance, I look at Roderick.
He stares back, likely reading the torment on my face.Then, he drags his eyes over the gathering, finally landing on our mother.“You do not accept Zoey?”
The woman who claims to love us beyond anything else stands taller under his gaze and nods.“I will never accept her.She does not belong in our pack.She does not deserve it.”
Roderick doesn’t betray a hint of emotion; he simply stares, as if waiting to see if she has anything left to add.But she only gazes back with a level of arrogance that enrages me to the point that I can’t think of words.But I don’t need to because Roderick always knows what to say.
“Your pride is more important than your son’s happiness?”There’s not a hint of emotion in his question, but she blanches, as if he spat in her face.
“That’s not … she won’t make him happy!”
Roderick shakes his head, as if disappointed with her.So am I.
You always think your parents can do no wrong.But they aren’t gods.They’re humans.
Or werewolves, I guess.
“Warner has declared his intention to pursue Zoey as his mate.She is under the protection of the pack.Hurting her cannot go unpunished.”
“Roderick, no!”Tanya steps forward.
My normally opinionated sister has been quiet up to this moment, hanging back in the shadows with Isaac as they watched the drama of my life unfold.Now, she’s probably thinking that Roderick plans to challenge Mom himself.That she’s about to witness a fight between her mother and her oldest brother.
“You don’t have to punish her.Mom will apologize.She just … she just didn’t know Zoey was going to be pack.She didn’t know Warner loved her.Right, Mom?Just tell them you’re sorry.”
My heart breaks for my little sister as she stares pleadingly at our mother.
But Rebecca Jameson is nothing if not stubborn.The muscle in her jaw stands rigid as she keeps quiet.
