For a brief moment, I allowed myself to relax, holding Selene close as the others splashed and exchanged teasing remarks. Their laughter mixed with the crackling fire, warmth spilling into the cool night air. This celebration—centered around me—was lighthearted, full of energy, but beneath the joy lurked a shadowed unease. A bitter remnant of the past, tightening its grip on my mind, testing my resolve, pushing against the bonds I had built. I hated it with an unabashed passion.
I was sixteen, and the irony wasn’t lost on me.
Eight years of suffering at Austin’s hands had carved deep scars into me, shaping my perception of relationships and trust. His cruelty had shattered any faith I might have had in fathers until Dad—Grand Alpha Henry himself—stepped in. Under his watch, I learned tha
