Chapter 4 No More Tolerance


    Aubrey’s POV


    My blunt words hit like a woll’s w; they tore straight through Bailey’s false facade.


    18 Pearls


    Her pupils contracted sharply, but she recovered quickly; her expression softened into one of wounded innocence, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.


    “Aubrey, I didn’t mean that… look at you, you’re all hurt. Don’t push yourself; go rest. There are so many people here… if Alpha sees you like this, he’ll be upset.”


    In the past, at the mere mention of displeasing Henry, I would have chosen to stay quiet.


    But not now. If I didn’t clear things up in front of everyone, by tomorrow the entire Shadowmoon Pack would think I had betrayed the Alpha and slept around with other werewolves.


    Suppressing the waves of weakness in my body, I forced a cold smile.


    I “Well, I’m upset too. The Miguel family hosts a banquet, and two horny Beta werewolves try <i>to </i>kill me. barely escaped with my life–yet here you are, twisting the truth to smear me. You really do care about me, dear sister.”


    Bailey stared at me, stunned; it was as if my words had left her speechless.


    My father rushed over in a single bound, his voice urgent. “What? Someone dared to try to kill you–in the Alpha’s house? Who?”


    My stepmother, Aurelia Lynn, followed close behind, smiling as she spoke. “Jax, don’t listen to Aubrey’s nonsense. She must’ve been off fooling around. This is the Alpha’s house–who would daremit murder here? They’d have a death wish.”


    The implication was clear: I’d gotten myself into this mess while “ying around,” and now I was making up a story to cover my shame.


    I looked at her coldly. How delightful… we meet again.


    Dark, painful memories shed through my mind; my gaze grew even icier.


    “Mother, you really shouldn’t say things like that. If you tarnish my reputation, you’ll be dragging Alpha’s name down with it too. How weak must Alpha be, for me to throw him aside and go sleep with some lesser werewolf?”


    That one line-“dragging Alpha’s name down“-instantly flustered Aurelia. She quickly said, “Hey, what are you talking about? I was just concerned for you! I was worried your foolish behavior might bring shame to Alpha. Look at you now–who knows what nonsense you’ve gotten into again?”


    As if I were some wild, disobedient child who was always getting into trouble.


    But no one knew–I’d grown up under my stepmother’s hand; her cruelty had left deep scars on my heart. And since I’d never awakened my wolf, even when I excelled in Omega–level warrior training, I had never dared to oppose her. Over time, my spirit had weakened to the point where anyone could walk all over me.


    But now, reborn from the depths, I had nothing left to fear.


    “Thank you for your concern.”


    Sat <b>Aug</b>:


    Chapter 4 No More Tolerance


    I nced down at myself; a cold smile tugged at my lips.


    +8 Pears


    <b>It </b>was early spring and bitterly cold. I was drenched and filthy–yet they paraded their so–called concern, twisting the truth from the moment I arrived.


    “So this is your version of concern–watching me crawl in half–dead, saying nothing about the attack I. barely escaped, and instead helping Bailey fling mud at me. Your concern is… rather terrifying.”


    My words showed no mercy; each one hit its mark. Both Aurelia and Bailey’s faces darkened.


    Bailey looked at me, her expression pitiful. “Aubrey! Are you delirious? Mother meant no harm; how can you say such things? She’s always treated you so well… if you act like this, people willugh at you!”


    The moment she mentioned beingughed at, my father snapped back to reality. Seeing the crowd’s amused nces, he grew anxious and quickly said, “Bailey is right. Aubrey, how can you be so rude? Apologize to your mother at once!”


    I couldn’t help butugh. Was it because I’d been so meek all my life–neverining, always yielding- that my father thought I was made of stone? That whenever something happened, I was the one who had to apologize?


    They say the crying child gets the milk. I, on the other hand, had been the good, quiet one–and had paid for it with my life in my past life, crushed beneath this mother and daughter.


    But this life? I wouldn’t tolerate it anymore.


    30


    M