Nina's POV
Exile didn't seem so far now.
My heart slammed against my ribs. I practically sprinted away from his touch, away from him, the wolf inside me pacing in my chest.
Dinner was the last thing I needed. The thought of sitting across from Vince, pretending normalcy after what just happened, made my skin crawl.
Taking a deep breath, I forced a steady voice. "Mom?" I called out, the word barely above a whisper.
"What?" Her voice echoed from the living room. It was a tone I knew well. It was a voice that reminded me of my invisibility in this house.
"Can I skip dinner? I don't feel well."
"Fine," she sighed, not even bothering to look up from her phone. “Whatever. Just don't expect me to wait on you hand and foot."
The lack of concern was a familiar sting, but tonight, it felt co
