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Karen tripped over her words. “The only time I’ve criticized Patty is when I have legitimate concerns.”

“Then you should discuss them respectfully and in private.”

“I am an elder in this family and the sister of the alpha,” Karen screeched.

“That doesn’t give you permission to speak to her that way.”

Karen’s face darkened. “You are defending the woman who lied to you.”

Hudson put a finger in the air. “No. I’m agreeing with the truth.”

Grandma Ruth stood. Grandpa tried to help her and received an irritated wave. She crossed the lawn slowly. When she reached Patty, she took both of Patty’s hands.

“I’m sorry,” Grandma said.

Patty looked stricken. “Grandma, you don’t have to⁠—”

“Yes, I do.” Grandma squeezed her fingers. “I told you to ignore Karen.”

Patty’s eyes filled again.

“I said she didn’t know how to speak gently. I said she was set in her ways. I said keeping the peace mattered most.” Her mouth trembled. “I asked you to carry the discomfort so the rest of us wouldn’t have to.”

Patty began crying. Grandma pulled her into an embrace.

“I am sorry,” she repeated. “You deserved protection from your family, not lessons in tolerating mistreatment.”

Then Julie came forward. “I’m sorry too.”

Byron followed. “So am I.”

Hilary nodded. “I should have said something years ago. I suppose I normalized Karen’s behavior because I grew up around it. That doesn’t make it acceptable.”

One by one, others joined in.

Karen stood apart from them, stunned. “This is a mob.”

“No,” Hudson’s mother said. “This is accountability.”

Karen turned toward her. “You are the alpha.”

“I am.”

“You should understand the damage this human has caused.”

“I do.”

“And you’re allowing her to turn the pack against me?”

“Nobody is turning anyone against you,” Hilary said, looking at Patty. “We’re acknowledging what we allowed.”

Karen’s attention returned to me. “This is her doing.”

“No,” Grandma Ruth said. “This is ours. And you need to apologize to Patty.”

Karen’s face hardened. “I will not apologize for protecting pack standards.”

Hudson crossed his arms. “You’re not being asked to apologize for standards.”