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:"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:"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

Cynthia Dion:I was still in his arms while everyone was rising to their feet, coming out of our house and neighboring homes to see what was happening. The audacity of them to still be able to show their faces after what they have done baffled me. "Before you claim we can't give her a deserving title of a slut, our lord, we've got the green light," Mr. York added, just to be on the safe side in case Atticus starts losing his mind again. I was badly wounded but still staying awake because I didn’t want to pass out and miss any decision made against me.“She is a no one anymore,” he said. "Hm!" Atticus gently placed me on the ground, steadying me on my feet by gripping my arms."If that's the main worry – that she's no longer somebody, then I'll turn her into somebody tonight," Atticus made certain they were all taken aback when he proclaimed that. My thoughts were a jumbled mess. Each word was a headache, but I remained in place because he was keeping me on my feet with a firm grip.

Cynthia Dion:"I heard that," I glanced down, recalling how he'd helped make it happen; otherwise, I might've lost everything by now."If you'd like, we can have lunch in the garden," he suggested, but I wasn't sure if I was prepared to face everyone just yet."No offense, but your family might kill me," I attempted to get out of bed, but when I stumbled, he grabbed my arm to steady me."Can I bring something up?" I sank back into the chair, feeling defeated. I'd vowed never to ask him this again because, no matter what he says, he can never provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions."Of course," he settled in across from me on a cushy seat, his eyes fixed on me, waiting for me to continue."Why are you going through all this for me? Do you believe I wrecked your sister's marriage? Do you think I cheated on you? Huh! You even seem to go along with the rumors about me stealing mates. So, why? Why won't you just leave me to face the consequences? Why save me?" My questions made