Cynthia Dion: "Tell me, what did he do to you?" Atticus released the hug and gently cradled my face in his hands. Thea immediately withdrew, concealing herself within me to avoid being seen by him."He wa---s ummm-," now that I was back in control of my body, I struggled to find the right words, "I just need some time alone." I pulled away and stood up, heading back to my room. I didn't pick up the pace. I might know a thing or two about acting, but Gosh! Thea really caught me off guard today.After a few minutes of solitude in my room, I noticed Atticus returning and flopping down on the couch."I just–I just feel like I owe you an apology for leaving you out there," he said, his face gazing at the ceiling, his neck stretched back as he reclined on the couch."It's not your fault. You can't always stand up for me. I just wish you understood how crucial it is for me to return home now," Since that's what I realized last night, I requested that he take me back."Alright, get ready; we
Cynthia Dion: "Easy!" Atticus laid his hand on my father's chest, signaling him to step back."Alpha Atticus!" My father was taken aback by the sight of Alpha carrying my bags and joining me on my journey back home. He respectfully bowed to Atticus and then shot me a disapproving glare.'One more person added to the list,' Thea growled inside, causing me to clench my teeth secretly. She was now including our dad on her list of people to seek revenge against.'No!' I grunted at her, rejecting the notion.'Why? Did you forget how he forced us to marry that awful man?' She argued, but I chose to ignore her for the time being.'Don't shut me out. He's the reason all of this started, really. A father should protect his daughter, not barter her away,' she added with a disdainful snort."What is she doing here? I can't have her stay here. After everything she's done, people around here will scorn me for harboring her," my father inquired once more. Just because the Alpha was present didn't
Cynthia Dion:"See, you can't answer my questions," the moment he scoffed, he realized he had made a mistake."You shouldn't stay here," I gathered my composure and straightened my posture, refusing to appear lost in front of him. He leaned back once more, pulling out his phone and avoiding eye contact this time."Don't worry about me; I'll be fine here," Atticus continued, as if nothing had transpired between us all these years. He settled back and continued to gaze at his phone's screen."Your mate is waiting for you. Go spend time with her," I retorted, frowning."By that logic, I should stay here," he muttered, keeping his eyes on his phone."But you don't have to. I don't want you near me," I insisted, unprepared to have him close when a significant part of the reason I was enduring this ordeal was connected to him, or at least most of the trouble could be attributed to his actions."Okay, but I'm not leaving," as he reaffirmed his stance, I rubbed my face in my hands and stared
Cynthia Dion: "What? She can't. There's no way she would do that. Tell me, what did you do to her?" I began to shout at my father, my heart racing. There was no conceivable way she could have just left. She was still practically a child. "Cynthia! Calm down," Atticus slammed his plate down and swiftly rose to approach me. "You want me to calm down when my 15-year-old sister is missing?" I slapped Atticus's hand away, growling in frustration. When I had married Mr. Holt, my sister had been almost 13, and she had recently turned 15. How could a 15-year-old just run away? Where could she have gone? "You're blaming me for this? She learned all of that from you. Ever since you left two years ago, your sister just wanted to be like you. She started desperately seeking out mates and boyfriends, particularly rich ones, and then one night, she ran off with her lover. Everyone knew she was out of control; she would shout at me and throw things because I didn't want her boyfriend around," my
Cynthia Dion:"Here!" I opened my eyes as Jack arrived, bringing a glass of juice for me. I wanted to hold the glass myself, but Jack insisted on helping me, so I allowed it. Of course, I enjoyed seeing Atticus in discomfort. He had done a lot for me, so that was the only thing I could give him in return."Thank you so much, Jack, but I'll look after her here," Atticus spoke up, his heart darkening with jealousy."Your Highness, it's okay. I don't want people to accuse her again," Jack's way of speaking caught Atticus's attention, and as he squinted at him, Jack continued to explain, "Your brother-in-law used to visit here to meet her father, but obviously he was too wealthy to be accused of anything. Poor Cynthia received all the blame, even when no one had concrete evidence against her." Jack didn't turn towards Atticus because he was ensuring he didn't spill the drink on me, but his words touched me deeply.Did he genuinely believe I was innocent? Had he changed this much?"Okay! N
Cynthia Dion:"What is going on here?" Mara stepped forward, demanding an explanation even though she had overheard everything. She left the door wide open, ensuring that anyone who hadn't heard the neighbor's slurs could now listen in. I stayed silent and let Atticus handle the situation with his mate."Ugh!" Atticus grunted, visibly frustrated as he paced back and forth."This is what I've feared from the start. I knew she would gain your sympathy," Mara yelled, tears welling up in her eyes, her lips downturned in disappointment."Why my mate? Didn't you feel satisfied after taking other people's mates? Why mine now?" Mara stormed inside to confront me, her voice filled with anger and despair. I noticed our neighbors peeking in, expressing sympathy for Mara, who was crying profusely.I stood up, my voice quivering with emotion. "I did this to you?" I asked incredulously. "Out of all the people in the world, you should be the last one to question my character, given that you knew how
Cynthia Dion: Just when I thought he'd finally depart, having already stepped out the door, I witnessed him returning, wearing a visibly distressed expression. It didn't take more than a few minutes; he quite literally came back immediately."Why have you come back?" I whispered sharply."I'm not going anywhere," he replied with a harsh tone."Of course he's not going anywhere. You have him in your grip," as Mara started to speak again, Atticus silenced her with a stern glare."Mara! Leave this place immediately," Atticus cautioned her, pointing his finger, urging her departure so that the crazy neighbors could follow suit."Why? I'm not abandoning you with her," she yelled at the top of her lungs, causing the women behind me to turn their attention to us, their faces contorted with disdain."How about you take him and go," I stepped out from behind him and raised my voice at her. Atticus was taken aback by my words, and he turned to look at me in disbelief."No, I'm serious. I'm tir
Cynthia Dion:"Well, if you've finished your daydreaming, could you please go? I need some rest," I raised my eyebrow, keeping a watchful eye on him, signaling for him to let me be, as I had no interest in his games."Give it some thought," he mumbled, trying to draw my attention back to that specific point."Shut the door behind you when you go," I sighed, opting not to engage with him. I can't help but wonder why I used to be so terrified of him. Maybe now that I have a wolf, I'm not as frightened, but back then, everyone appeared like a complete nightmare to me."That's why you're going through all this hardship, because you don't heed your old man," my father grumbled as he exited the room.'At least you've found your voice again,' Thea commended, and soon I drifted off to sleep. I'd formulated some ideas before dozing off, and a big part of them revolved around locating my sister's whereabouts.Maybe she'll attempt to get in touch with me once she realizes I've returned home?I w